Kigali
Capital of Rwanda
Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and had a population of about 1.7 million in 2022. Visitors travel here to explore significant historical sites including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
What to see
The city's main points of interest focus on history. You can visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum to learn about the events and history associated with these sites.
When to go
The driest months are June, July, and August, which see between 10 mm and 31 mm of rain over 4 to 8 rainy days, making this the best time for outdoor activities. Temperatures remain consistent year-round, with daily highs around 25 °C to 26 °C and lows between 15 °C and 16 °C. The wettest period occurs from March through May and again in November, when rain levels reach up to 150 mm and rainy days can exceed 20 per month.
Getting there
Kigali International Airport is located 3 km from the city center, providing direct access to the capital.
Top sights in Kigali
Weather by month
Temperatures stay much the same all year, around 20 °C on average. The wettest is April, with about 150 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
| Average low, °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
| Rainfall, mm | 74 | 84 | 111 | 150 | 98 | 18 | 10 | 31 | 67 | 122 | 137 | 74 |
| Rainy days | 19 | 16 | 23 | 27 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 23 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Kigali (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.