Travelling to Rwanda as a family has been one of our most culturally enriching vacations by far.
We pursued Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, because we wanted to venture out to somewhere unusual, somewhere rich in culture, deep in history and somewhere away from the popular sun, sea and sand holiday destinations. Kigali ticked all the boxes.
As usual we conducted a fair amount of research ahead of our travels, so we had a good idea of what the country had to offer and what would make our trip as adventurous, exciting and as safe as could be for everyone.
Often referred to as ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’ due to its hilly and mountainous terrain, Kigali boasts a wealth of qualities from the clean and tranquil environment to an abundance of artistic and skilled people. And while many people might not think of Rwanda as a child-friendly holiday destination, there is undoubtedly so much to do and see with children in what is one of the most beautiful African countries.
The natural calmness created a real sense of safety which was enough to put us all at ease- even for us busy, rushed off our feet parents with nagging kids to look out for! Kigali offered that well deserved relaxing but fun experience for the whole family.
Getting there we travelled with RwandAir, currently the only option for a direct flight from London Heathrow to the city of Kigali. Travelling with RwandAir was straightforward. We enjoyed a smooth check-in and sailed through security swiftly. Our Baggage allowance was a generous two cases at 23kg each!
However, a five-night stay didn’t warrant this excessive allowance! but we made use of it anyway and packed one case full of baby clothes and accessories to gift to any local women and children we met. We travelled light with just three medium cases -that’s light for us!
The flight attendants were welcoming and attentive. Like other airlines, the kids received a small soft toy. The food tasted good and there was a variety of soft drinks including some aromatic coffee with a rich and dense flavour. It tasted delicious!
The large inflight entertainment touch screens made it easy for small fingers to navigate the varied selection of children’s entertainment.
We took advantage of a reasonably priced upgrade to premium economy, and it was worth it. At just £42 per seat, we benefited from extra leg room, wide spacious seats and just a little more comfortability for a long-haul flight. For anyone with long legs I’d recommend this option. And remember if the inconsiderate passenger seated in front of you decides to fully recline their seat, that’s it, you won’t have much wiggle space at all!
Regardless of the sufficient seating plan we were still understandably knacked after an eight-hour flight, so a good night’s rest was highly welcomed. We opted for The Marriott Hotel Kigali and was completely satisfied with the choice. It’s a 4/5-star accommodation located in a central location but slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the main business district and traffic. Comfortable beds, spacious rooms complete with a mini bar and fridge and a very clean bathroom, what more could’ve we asked for…maybe more complimentary room snacks! But the main restaurant buffet made up for this shortfall.
In-house dining was fantastic offering a wide selection of well-presented, highly tasty and scrumptious African and continental cuisine, including a varied selection for children including margarita pizza and chips. And if a buffet is not your thing, there’re several other in-house restaurants serving a more refined selection of dishes complete with a fine-dine personalised experience.
And if that’s still not enough, there’s a bonus at a small cost of course- lounge access to unlimited food and drink -well worth the extra £200. With extended hours offering food and beverages to suit your needs, and there’s plenty of comfortable seating to sit back, unwind and enjoy eating and sampling the many condiments on offer, talking and even getting some work done.
There’s little room to get bored at this hotel with a well-kept, child-friendly pool area offering a chilled and playful vibe, although at the time of year we travelled, the swimming pool water was a tad too cold for us to fully enjoy so after one dip we decided to quit and retired back to our room for that well deserved kip.
So, let’s cut to the chase and reveal all there is to do with a young family in Kigali!
Although we sought adventure, safety was as it should be, our priority. We were keen to push the boundaries of any ‘normal’ vacation but didn’t want the kids to feel too overwhelmed and dispatched from their comfort zones.
We weren’t overly worried about the safety of the country as prior research taught us that Rwanda is in fact one of the safest countries in the world! I’m guessing this has come as a surprise to you because western perceptions of Africa have taught us to fear the mother country, deeming it as unsafe, disease ridden and corrupt!
This was certainly not the case for Rwanda. And while at times the country did understandably feel like it was in constant mourning over the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, a sense of optimism, progression and freshness is respectfully apparent.
It’s so important to venture away from the tourist hotspots and hotel when abroad if you want to see, experience and participate in the true nature and environment of a country. For my family this is always a must when we travel abroad as it allows the children to see with their own eyes and to absorb the culture, lifestyle and customs of a foreign country which in many cases is in stark contrast to their own lives back in London.
Azizi Life Studio–
Rwandan craftsmanship is rich in many specialities. The art is bold and beautiful and is noticeable throughout the city. We were delighted with the two hours of fun and laughter as the whole family participated in a craft session at the Azizi life studio. It was a soothing family experience that kept us all focused and entertained, yes, even our energetic two-year-old!
The task was to paint a chalkboard with imigongo, which is a traditional art form of the Rwandan people and dates as far back to the 18th century. The basic process is formed from mixing cow dung- yes that’s cow poop! and ash which are then sculpted onto a flat surface in elaborate geometric patterns, representing the spine.
My daughter and I also took part in the earring making workshop which was just as insightful. The staff were friendly, informative and happy to share stories about their own lives and experiences.
The studio also functions as a lovely gift shop selling handmade crafts. So, if you’re interested in supporting the local artisans and culture, I would recommend visiting the Azizi life studio and taking part in one of their many art classes.
Big Five safari experience–
If you’re up for a unique Big Five safari experience in Rwanda surrounded by the beauty of nature, I’d recommend one of the biggest attractions in Akagera which is the Akagera National Park, and don’t forget your camera! It’s the perfect destination for little ones to enjoy many animals both large and small including Lions, Elephants, Buffalos, Leopards, and Rhinos.
There are also river boat cruises nearby which means it is possible to see crocodiles and hippos. However, trekking in the national park (Nyungwe Forest) is restricted to older children over the age of 15 years old.
Kimironko Market-
There’s plenty of options to delight adults and children at the Kimironko market. From bold and vibrant fabric prints to indelible spiral weaved baskets, to wood carvings, to dresses made from a variety of fabrics to stuffed toys for kids to malachite jewellery.
The market is vastly busy and often crowded. It’s a narrow squeeze through the closely organised stalls, many selling similar goods at competitive prices. I’d recommend you leave any strollers behind for stress-free manoeuvring. For small children a carrier would probably be best suited, or a tight handhold will do.
Our walk through the Kimironko market was warmly welcomed by smiling and enthusiastic local men and women selling crafts and food produce. However, don’t think for one second that you’ll be able to enjoy this market without interruption by the sheer number of traders coaxing you to part with your cash!
I came away feeling overwhelmed and wanted more time and space to shop freely without feeling pressured to buy. shame that! Nevertheless, it was a good experience and is a great place to visit to capture the true essence of a Rwandan marketplace.
Kigali’s Imbuga City Walk–
This is a beautiful promenade, it is an open-air car free and green zone that feels fresh and is very clean making it the perfect spot for a casual family stroll and for locals and visitors to meet up to explore. There are kiosks selling everything from souvenirs and Rwandan crafts to food and drinks.
It’s a perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of Kigali and feel free with the kids. You’ll have the opportunity to take a wonderful family photograph by the large Kigali sculpture and It’s all free!
Fazenda Sengha–
Adventure and natural beauty await at the Fazenda Sengha picturesque escape, outdoor recreational centre. It’s a hidden gem of Kigali and a haven of excitement for the whole family.
From horse riding through the flourishing landscapes to the adrenaline pumping Zipline adventures that provide a bird’s-eye view of Kigali’s vibrant green scenic attractiveness, you’re not going to be disappointed! And while the well-maintained trails provide an enhanced motorcycle experience, safety without compromise of the adventure, is paramount and visitors are made to feel well looked after throughout their stay.
Interesting Fact:
The city takes tidiness to a whole new level! In 2018, UN environment Program referred to Kigali as the “cleanest city on the planet”, both in terms of lack of street rubbish and green initiatives.
