Private Kigali City Tour with Pick-up & Lunch-
Private Full-Day Kigali City Tour with Pickup and Lunch
Discover the heart and soul of Rwanda’s vibrant capital with this immersive full-day Kigali city tour , complete with hotel pickup and a traditional lunch experience. This carefully curated journey invites you to explore the cultural, historical, and artistic treasures that make Kigali one of Africa’s most compelling cities.
Begin your day with a profound visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful site of remembrance honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide. Here, you will gain deep insights into Rwanda’s tragic past and inspiring recovery. From there, continue to the bustling Kimironko Market, where the sights, scents, and sounds offer an authentic taste of local life. At Caplaki Crafts Village, browse an impressive array of handmade art, jewelry, and souvenirs crafted by Rwandan artisans.
Your tour continues with breathtaking panoramic views of Kigali from iconic spots such as the Kigali Convention Centre and Rebero Hill, where the city’s modern skyline blends seamlessly with rolling hills. Dive into Rwanda’s political history with a visit to the Presidential Palace Museum, once the residence of President Habyarimana, which showcases artifacts and exhibits offering a window into the country’s leadership and pivotal moments.
Art lovers will enjoy a stop at the Inema Arts Center, a hub of contemporary African creativity where you can meet local artists and admire their work. Later, stroll through the vibrant Nyamirambo neighborhood, known for its rich cultural diversity, colorful murals, and welcoming community. Explore its lively streets, mosques, local shops, and flavorful street food offerings.
Conclude your tour by savoring a delicious Rwandan lunch at a local restaurant, where traditional flavors highlight the country’s culinary heritage. This full-day experience not only unveils the landmarks and legacy of Kigali but also celebrates the city’s resilience, warmth, and evolving cultural identity.
Private Full-Day Kigali City Tour with Pickup and Lunch
Embark on an enriching full-day exploration of Kigali, beginning with a convenient hotel pickup by your private guide. Start your journey by visiting both a bustling local market and a modern market, where you’ll experience the contrast between traditional Rwandan commerce and contemporary urban shopping.
Continue your adventure with a scenic stop at the Akagera River, offering peaceful views and a connection to Rwanda’s natural beauty. Next, head to Rebero Viewpoint, one of Kigali’s most picturesque spots, to take in panoramic vistas of the city and its rolling hills.
Stroll through the Kigali Car-Free Zone, a vibrant pedestrian-friendly area filled with shops, cafes, and street life. Then journey through the historic Old City and up Mount Kigali, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views and a deeper understanding of the city’s layout and development over the years.
Pay a respectful and moving visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance and education that honors the victims of the 1994 genocide. Finally, wrap up the day at Kaplaki Handicrafts Market, where you can browse a wide range of handmade crafts, souvenirs, and artwork created by local artisans.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, offering a delicious taste of Rwandan cuisine as you reflect on a day filled with discovery, history, and cultural immersion.
✅What’s Included
Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Delicious lunch and refreshing soft drinks
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the tour
Bottled drinking water
Services of a professional English-speaking guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off for your convenience
❌ What’s Not Included
Any items or services not explicitly mentioned above
Please Note
Kigali Car-Free Day: Occurs on the first and last Sunday of each month from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The tour will still proceed as scheduled, but alternative routes will be used to avoid blocked roads.
Umuganda Community Work Day: Takes place on the last Saturday of each month from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. On these days, the tour will begin at 12:00 PM after the national activity concludes.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or similar)
Sun hat and sunglasses, depending on the weather
Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable.
All sales are final.
Book for this Kigali City tour
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
