Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Hiking Up Mount Kigali

I did it! I finally did it! After 6+ years of staring across the valley at Mount Kigali from the couch on my back porch, I finally got off of my butt and walked up the thing. Though I’d been on top of Mount Kigali several times, each time I was driven in a car or I cheated and took a moto up. Lame, I know, but I finally redeemed my sad self this past Sunday and it was a really nice way to spend a few hours.

So after six years of Mount Kigali avoidance, I finally decided that the weather was perfect for a hike up the hill with a friend. Though the hike isn’t exactly strenuous, it wouldn’t have been quite as pleasant in the scorching dry season sun or the torrential rain of the early rainy season. We got a perfectly mild day with friendly cloud cover and decided to go for it.

Hiking Mount Kigali

Mount Kigali isn’t a ‘mount’, exactly. It’s more of a hill and most of the hill is populated with houses so it’s not exactly remote wilderness, either. But somehow it’s still a nice little walk. The houses on the way up are small and charming and the narrow roads as you start the hike are kind of cool, too. If you’re hoping for a physically challenging day of mountain climbing then Mount Kigali will probably be a disappointment, but if you’re looking for an interesting stroll up a large hill leading to beautiful views of the city, then this is a great way to spend a few hours.

Mount Kigali is located on the southwestern edge of the city with the walk starting in the Nyamirambo area of town. Mount Kigali does stretch north to cover other Kigali neighbourhoods and I think it can be approached from different locations, but the most common access point is through Nyamirambo. Be warned that Nyamirambo is a deceptively large area so, unless you want to spend an hour walking through the neighbourhood in order to get to the bottom of the hill where the walk starts, you’ll probably want to take a moto or taxi straight to the bottom of Mount Kigali. Sun City Hotel is a good landmark that many moto or taxi drivers will know. Or if you’d prefer to start your walk a bit more towards the bottom of the hill, the Kigali Stadium (probably known more commonly as ‘Stade Nyamirambo’) is another good landmark to ask for.

Hiking Mount Kigali

Or if you’d rather make a day of it, a stroll through Nyamirambo either before or after the hike is a great way to make it into a full day outing. If you start in Biryogo (where the green mosque and Nyamirambo Women’s Centre are located) then it’ll take about an hour to walk to Kigali Stadium with a gradual uphill incline. The area is lively and there are lots of small shops and local bars the while way along and you could start the walk with a cheap and yummy lunch at Chap Chap. Or you could hike first and then wander around Nyamirambo afterward, rewarding yourself with a neighbourhood pub crawl or ice cream at Kubrom’s Place. Nyamirambo is my favourite part of Kigali and if you don’t find yourself there very often, I’d recommend exploring around a bit as an add-on.

Hiking Mount Kigali

There are a few ways to get to the top of Mount Kigali and it seems impossible to get lost as long as you just keep going up. If you want to be sure of your approach, follow the signs for Fezenda Senga and you’ll get there eventually. We attempted to be a bit more adventurous but ended up pretty much in the same place as the signs direct you to go. We started our hike by turning right on the road right before Galaxy Bar. A few rights and lefts later and we were well on our way in an up direction. There will be plenty of people around at this early stage to point you in the right direction if you’re not sure of where you’re going. The walk to the top from Galaxy Bar can be done in under an hour.

There are lots of different directions you can wander once you’re up on the hill though we only explored a few before getting the feeling that we were going to get hopelessly lost or end up on the complete other side. As you approach the top, you should see a local bar called Mera Neza on a road that goes towards the left, and to the right you’ll see a sign for the horse riding place called Fazenda Senga. If you walk towards the horse place, you’ll see great views of the city. And horses! If you go past the bar, you’ll be taken into a really beautiful wooded area and you can search for spots with views of the areas beyond the edge of the city.

Hiking Mount Kigali

If you’re trying to navigate using Google Maps, beware! There are a lot of small roads and paths up there that aren’t listed on the very basic map of this area. Do be aware that there’s a military base up there somewhere and they’re not too thrilled when hikers wander onto their property. I didn’t find it myself, but be aware that if you encounter a yelling military dude, do as they say. Nobody I know that’s stumbled onto the base has ever had a problem beyond being told to turn around, but knowing it’s up there should better prepare you if you do happen to find it accidentally.

The bar I mentioned, Mera Neza, is known for rabbit and it’s also a convenient place to stop for a reward beer and a slightly terrifying bathroom break. If your plan is to explore a bit on Mount Kigali before returning to the bar for a bite to eat, I’d recommend you put your order in as you walk pastm especially if you’re a large group of people. Given the painfully long time it can sometimes take to have food served at local places in Rwanda, you’ll be happy that you did.

Hiking Mount Kigali

When we were up there on Sunday we saw quite a few parked cars and eventually found a group of people sitting in a circle looking as though they were praying. I’m told that Mount Kigali is an area where many people come for spiritual stuff. We decided to give them some space and turned around so I’m not sure what lies beyond the trees. But my curiosity about what else can be found on Mount Kigali is motivation for another trip here. Hopefully it won’t take another six years!

It was a really great day and I’m just bummed it took me so long to actually hike up this hill!

[WPMAP;277]

Other Articles

spot_img

9 COMMENTS

  1. There is another path that starts at Giticyinoni, it’s on the road Kigali-Muhanga near its intersection with the road from Musanze. You take the road heading to a new neighborhood calles NORVEGE. This path goes through the west side of Mont kigali towards fazenda horses… bit longer but more exotic

  2. Hi Kirsty, I am going to Rwanda for one week on the 27th May. It’s my first time there and I looked at your suggestions for visits with great interest.
    I only have one morning in Kigali, Sun morning 28th May. Being a keen walker I am interested in walking up Mount Kigali. As I have to catch a flight to Kamembe in the afternoon I can’t get lost and so I was wondering if you know anyone who’d like to guide me. I don’t mind paying for that. A 2 hour walk would suit me.
    Thank you, Kristien

  3. Thanks Kirsty – your good photos & instructions helped me to do my first ever walk along Mt Kigali and I only got lost once!
    I would like to add that if you have a car you can easily drive from Nyamirambo to Mera Neza Bar, park there or drive down the road turning left behind the bar a bit further into the mountain as that seems to be the highest and main central point ?!

  4. Hello, mt Kigali isn’t really a mountain of a hill but the view is breathtaking i’m a tour guide and everytime i take my clients there, they are really happy cz not only the view of Kigali that u can see from the top you can as well see monkeys and it’s a very good walk if you don’t want to get very tired but at the same time if you want to avoid lazyness so i would advice everyone to go however it would be nice to carry water and some snacks, good luck to everyone!

    • Hello Sylvie, how can I get in touch with you?
      My boyfriend will visit Rwanda soon and he is very interested in hiking or anything related to walking. I don;t have enough ideas about where I can take him. I would like you to be our guide. Please contact me on [email protected] if you don’t mind.

      I am waiting for some news from you!

  5. This was is very rewarding and i have done it with my clients and at first with my fellow tour operator’s. Though the road has now been recently tarmac, which has killed the authenticity of meeting the locals, and seeing the local shops along the way as they were demolished. But as well has made it easy for those who would wish to take a walk.

    I really recommend it. And for any one who would wish to get a guide, feel free to contact me, i can help easily and as well explore kigali..

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_imgspot_img