I didn’t even want to go to Kigali but I needed a new visa so I needed to go somewhere and as I have an old friend in Kigali, I thought it would be the best option. I have done visa runs to all neighbouring countries except Burundi and Moz and flights further afield are hugely expensive. Hence I chose Rwanda as being the best and reasonably inexpensive option.
Kigali is a very clean and orderly city. Cars and bikes stop at pedestrian crossing, there are lots of green spaces, wide pavements free of obstacles and low crime rates. Women are often in trousers father than kitenge dresses as in Tanzania. It feels a lot more Westernised.
I planned a couple of nights and then a return to Dar and day one I struggled to fill a whole day in such a small city with no tourist attractions. The following morning, the plan was to return to Dar arriving at 4pm which would give me plenty of time to relax and prepare for the goat races the following day.
However, just as my friend and I were heading out to get a curry dinner, an email came in saying that the flight was cancelled and I had to spend yet another day in this tiny dull city and leave on the 11:30 flight. This means I will arrive home 3:30am. Needless-to-day I was not happy.
What on earth is there to do in Kigali for a second day? I decided that I might as well go to the Genocide Museum. I have been to the Nanjing Massacre museum a few times and was expecting something similar and was not looking forward to the pictures of mutilated people.
I learnt later that the museum I went to – The Campaign Against Genocide Museum – was the wrong museum. This museum focussed on the actions of the 3rd Battalion in ending the genocide and retaking Kigali from government troops.
It was not terribly interesting but it killed a few hours and the roof terrace afforded great views of the city. As it turned out, I was pleased not to have to see the horrific images I was expecting. A visitor to Kigali with a strong military interest might enjoy this museum but otherwise I wouldn’t bother.