New in Kigali and need a place to stay?
Getting around can be tough if you don’t know where to start from. In the guide below, we cast a spotlight on the need to know places in town and what to expect from them. So you can make informed decisions about where you’d like to live in Kigali. Let’s begin.
Nyarutarama
Home of city’s wealthy and many foreign expats, Nyarutarama is a very upmarket residential area where your average house is built is a mansion with high walls, swimming pools and large gardens.
The rents in this area are usually among the highest that you can find, but the houses are also among the nicest . You can find the MTN Centre there that has various stores and supermarkets there. On the way to Gacuriro, you can also find Woodlands Supermarket and Voltage nightclub in the same building.
The Nyarutarama Tennis Club has several tennis courts, a basic gym, a swimming pool and a bar and Kigali Golf Club is located just down the valley. The neighbourhood is centrally located in Kigali with superb access to public transport.
Find available properties in Nyarutarama HERE
Gacuriro
Gacuriro is another venue where there’s a high concentration of wealthy people and upper middle class in Kigali. The main roads are paved and, but the inner roads are still dirt roads. That hasn’t stopped development from pacing onwards in recent years, though.
The rental market is very strong with monthly rents typically going for USD1500-2000. There are Woodlands Supermarket and Gacuriro Supermarket to provide domestic resources for households.
Gacuriro is a minute away from Nyarutarama and therefore has good access to public transportation to the major parts of town. Voltage nightclub is known for nightlife entertainment for diaspora Rwandans.
You can find our properties in Gacuriro HERE
Kimihurura
The habitat of Kigali Heights, Kigali Business Centre, People Nightclub, Radisson Blu & Convention Center and Brioche bakery,one may think Kimihurura is all commercial but not at all. Behind these landmarks are houses, apartments and residences where many foreign expats live unperturbed from the hustle and bustle of central Kigali. Living here can be fun as it’s the location of Mamba Club where you can go bowling, swimming, play volleyball/pool, chill at the bar or eat at the restaurant.
Find properties in Kimihurura HERE
Kicukiro
While this region is still part of Kigali, it’s a suburb outside the city centre.
Kicukiro has a large hospital, a central market and many small shops. It’s a location just past Remera and is well accessible to major areas in town.
The housing in the area is modest although several high profile homes are increasingly being built there. Like Kimironko, Kicukiro is one of the affordable middle income places to live in the city. It is also home to Mount Kenya University Kigali Campus, one of Kigali’s best private universities. The area will become much more busy and sought after in the coming years, as the new Kigali Airport is constructed in the southern region, which will bring more attention to Kicukiro.
Browse available properties in Kicukiro HERE
Kibagabaga
The neighbour of Kimironko, Kibagabaga is also the area that leads to Gacuriro. Kibagabaga has a big hospital, too and is generally an upper middle class residential area that similar to Nyrutarama has many duplexes and mansions.
The residences range between USD1000-25000/month and most roads in the area are fairly well paved.
There’s a major school in the neighbourhood, along with decent mini supermarkets. Cali Fitness, a decent gym is not too far from the location, too.
For properties in Kibagabaga, click HERE
Kimironko
One of the biggest residential areas of Kigali is no doubt Kimironko. With a large amount of middle class and middle income earners residing there, you can find numerous shops, stores and supermarkets in the area. Kimironko is home to Kimironko Market, a very popular food and domestic ware market place in Kigali.
There are quite a few hotels and lodges based in Kimironko. A big name is La Palisse Hotel that has one of the largest swimming pools in the city. Kigali Parents School is another well known venue in the area. The connection of the neighbourhood to other venues is excellent due to Kimironko Gare, the large bus terminal. From there, you can go to all major parts of the city. Plenty of commercial motorcycles ply the vicinity around the clock, just make sure you ride with the riders who wear red or blue vests.
Nightlife is active in Kimironko with numerous bars, clubs and lounges that entertain especially over the weekends. Kimironko is generally an affordable real estate market in Kigali. Traffic can be dense during rush hour but is generally bearable. Safety is high in Kimironko (as it is in general in Kigali) with military police and local security forces patrolling most of the area.
Click HERE for Kimironko properties.
Kacyiru
The location is widely seen as the business district of Kigali. Major NGOs, international organizations, foreign embassies and national government agencies all have a presence here. It has led to tons of noteworthy restaurants and cafes to serve the executive community accordingly. Rental property in the area typically ranges around USD2000/month, though with some luck you can find cheaper options further away.
Central Kacyiru is home to the president’s office, the US Embassy and other public institutions. You can also find Carnegie Mellon University Africa there. For expats moving to Kigali: This is also where the immigration office is located, where you apply for your visa.
Find properties in Kacyiru HERE.
Nyamirambo
The most vibrant district of Kigali. This place is hands down where everything just goes on and on. Nyamirambo is a very colourful and entertaining neighbourhood to live in and visit. Home to the most Muslims in Kigali, it’s got the biggest mosque and the renowned Senegalese tailors who sew fabulous caftans and African attires. With excellent access to major parts of town, there are mini buses as well as regular large buses to ferry you around stress free. Accommodation in the region is mainly working class style and prices are very affordable. It’s a reason why it’s such a densely populated spot. There’s a market and cinema there, plus plenty of bars and clubs.
For Nyamirambo properties, please click HERE
Kanombe
The residential area right next to the airport in Kigali is none other than Kanombe. Kanombe is next to Kabeza and a few minutes away from Remera and Giporoso. That makes it an ultra residential area with a large amount of middle class and middle income households that surround you. The house prices are affordable and the region is generally well populated. Traffic ranges from moderate to busy, depending on the time of the day. There are excellent public transportation to and from the vicinity.
Find properties in Kanombe HERE
Remera
The link between Kimironko and Gisimenti, Remera is best known for the Amahoro National Stadium, a place where a new indoor stadium is being built. Remera is also known for Kigali’s nightlife district and numerous bars and a few clubs and shops. Housing, like in Kimironko are modestly priced. Being between Gisimenti and Kimironko however means that residents get the best of both worlds with Simba Supermarket and Kimironko Market in Kimironko and numerous forex bureaus, butcheries, shops and supermarkets in Gisimenti. The annual Kigali International Peace Marathon also takes place at Amahoro Stadium, Remera. Overall, security aside, it’s a fairly vibrant area to live in.
Remera properties? HERE
Kiyovu
Based in Mu Mugi, Kiyovu spans from UTC to the presidential area, all the way to Marriott Hotel and Serena Hotel. With a hospital in the middle, and some of the hundreds of shops in town, you get much of what can be looked for. On the residential side, it’s one of Kigali’s oldest and wealthiest neighbourhoods with big gardens and a quiet setting. Rents are consequently not too cheap.
Find available properties in Kiyovu HERE
These are, in a nutshell, the major areas to live in, in Kigali. They feature very simple homes to outright mansions and villas. The prices vary, but something can be found for every budget if you are realistic about what to expect. Vibe House lists some of the finest properties in the city and is available to assist you with your real estate needs in Rwanda. Contact us today to find your (next) residence.
Write to info@vibehouse.rw or call +250 788 999 273. We’re happy to help.
