Nyamirambo is the place to be!

One of the core activities in NWC is community based tourism. Having in mind that Nyamirambo is known as the most vibrant and authentic part of Kigali, it seems like a perfect fit. The ladies from the Center have been doing the tour in English and French since 2009 and so far more than 280 people have visited Nyamirambo under their guidance.

The tour starts in Nyamirambo Women’s center, where the guide presents the work of the Center and teaches you some basic Kinyarwanda to help you interact with the locals that you will meet along the tour. Remembering Muraho, Murakoze and Muzungu is a must! J

Then you walk to the Biryogo market, which is just across the street of the Center. There you can see the local vegetables and fruit stands, you can learn the process of drying cassava and participate with the ladies making isombe (cassava leaves mixed with onions, green pepper, garlic and sometimes spinach). In addition you can see local Muslim embroidery or carpet weaving as well as the local cooking stoves and some fabulous African fabrics.

After the market you walk on, passing the mosque (yes, Nyamirambo is a Muslim area of Kigali) and visiting a hairdresser salon and a tailor store. The walk is not long, but filled with interesting stories of people who live here, which gives you a good impression of how everyday life of local people looks like.

To put the cherry on the top, you can end your visit with a lunch at one of the ladies from the Center. Let’s just say that no one has ever left Aminatha’s place hungry. Moreover, it’s also a good way to try local food such as bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, posho and beans.

In 2014 Eva joined the team to compliment the local experience with professional knowledge. In the near future the Center will therefore start with official trainings for the guides, which will make their performance even better. Also the Center is planning to incorporate further community walking tours into their portfolio, such as a handicraft tour or a culinary tour; so stay tuned!

And if we return to community based tourism that we mentioned at the beginning – all the locals that we visit along our tour get some compensation, so with your visit you will not be supporting just NWC but a wider community.

You can always arrange your visit per telephone (+250 782 111 860 and +250 785 002 302) or email (nwcoffice.kigali@gmail.com).  

We are looking forward to meet you!