Welcome to the Kigali Convention Centre, known simply as the KCC, Rwanda’s most recognisable and iconic landmark in the heart of Kigali. Drive into Kigali after dark and you will notice one building before any other. A huge glass dome glows in blue, yellow and green, the colours of Rwanda’s flag, rising above the hills like a lantern.
KCC has hosted presidents and tech founders! It appears on the country’s banknote, and it sends the message to the world: Rwanda is open for business.
The complex has four main parts. The main auditorium under the dome seats up to 2,600 people. The Radisson Blu Hotel, linked directly to the convention centre, has about 290 rooms on six floors. The Kigali Information Technology Park offers around 32,200 square metres of office and retail space, and there is also a museum on the lower floor of the IT park.
In total, the complex covers some 53,000 square metres, and the operators say it can host more than 5,000 delegates at once, with restaurants, bars and a business lounge on site.
The KCC is a place for big gatherings. It hosted the African Union Summit in July 2016, the World Economic Forum on Africa in 2016 and the Transform Africa Summit, which was held in Kigali in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
In 2022, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place there, and in 2023 the International Conference on Learning Representations, a major artificial intelligence research gathering, was held at the venue.
So the usual visitor is a delegate, a business traveller, a government official or an entrepreneur. Many guests stay in the Radisson Blu, and companies rent offices in the IT park.
Therefore the Kigali Convention Centre also welcomes exhibitions and corporate events, and many Kigali residents simply come to look at the dome. The KCC is more than a conference venue. It is a symbol of a country that has rebuilt itself in a short time and now wants to be seen as organised, modern and welcoming. It also shows that new buildings can carry old ideas: its shape tells a story about home, community and the King’s Palace, in a way that visitors can see and feel.
What It Looks like
The design of the Kigali Convention Centre is rooted in Rwandan culture. The dome is inspired by the round, beehive-shaped huts of traditional Rwandan homesteads, and especially the rebuilt King’s Palace in Nyanza. It is a very large version of that humble shape: more than 60 metres wide and about 40 to 46 metres tall, depending on the source. Inside, the dome is column-free, and a spiral walkway winds around it.
The attached hotel carries the story further. Its façade, with colourful metal ribbons, is inspired by the strips used to weave traditional Rwandan baskets, and the spiral patterns you see on those baskets appear in the walkways around the dome.
At night, the dome’s lights change colour, often showing the national colours, and inside the main arena a lighting feature of an amber glass sphere surrounded by rings is said to be inspired by the solar system.
The design won recognition too. In 2018, the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre received a continental award for best architectural design and best hotel development at the Africa Property Investment Summit.
In September 2024, the building also appeared on Rwanda’s 5,000-franc banknote, a sign of how much it means to the country.
Explore Kigali
Kigali is clean, green and friendly. If your trip brings you to the KCC, give yourself extra days to explore, because Rwanda is compact and easy to travel.
Inema Arts Center
This contemporary art center in Kigali features the work of local artists, and offers a range of workshops and classes. Visitors can peruse the gallery, attend a performance, or even try their hand at creating their own artwork.
Kigali Genocide Memorial
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is a powerful and respectful place to learn about the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and the country’s journey of remembrance and reconciliation. This somber memorial commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The memorial provides a comprehensive overview of the genocide, and serves as a reminder of the importance of peace and reconciliation.
Restaurants
Kigali has numerous eating places ranging from high class restaurants catering for international clients to basic kiosks selling drinks and snacks. Outside of Kigali most of the tourist centres have clean restaurants where one can take a meal and continue with exploration.
Conference and business tourism is well catered for. A majority of the tourists and business hotels have the capacity to cater for large conferences and business meetings. While some feature sophisticated conference facilities, complete with Internet, faxing, interpretation and translation options, others have simple business centres with only Internet and telephone facilities.
Cultural tourism is vibrant. The traditional dance “ Intore” is both alluring and interesting to experience during your Rwanda visit.
For something lighter, you can wander through Kimironko Market for fruit, fabrics and crafts, join a walking tour in the lively Nyamirambo neighbourhood, or visit art spaces such as Inema Arts Center.
Feel alive in Rwanda – the Land of Adventure
Exploring Rwanda’s Natural Wonders
Rwanda is an East African gem that offers a truly immersive travel experience. It boasts an incredible variety of wildlife, awe-inspiring landscapes, and vibrant cultural attractions. From the endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, Rwanda is a destination that captures the heart and soul of every traveler.
Do not miss when in Rwanda!
Volcanoes National Park
Home to the endangered mountain gorillas, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. A few hours’ drive north, Volcanoes National Park protects part of the Virunga Mountains, where families of mountain gorillas live among bamboo and mossy forest.
A trek leads you up the slopes with guides and trackers, and when you find a family, you spend an hour watching silverbacks, mothers and playful youngsters. The park also offers golden monkey tracking and a hike to the old camp of Dian Fossey, the scientist who devoted her life to studying these gorillas.
Each year, Rwanda holds Kwita Izina, a ceremony where baby gorillas are given names. Visitors can embark on guided Rwanda gorilla trek in the lush rainforest to observe these majestic primates in their natural habitat.or see the park’s incredible landscapes.
Akagera National Park
This stunning national park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and giraffes. Visitors to Akagera can embark on game drives or boat tours to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. For a total change of scene, head east to Akagera, Rwanda’s only savannah park. Since African Parks took over its management in 2010, the park has made a remarkable recovery, with lions returned in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017.
You can go on game drives to see giraffes, zebras, elephants and buffalo, and take a boat trip on Lake Ihema to see hippos and crocodiles. It is a good way to add a classic safari to a gorilla trip.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest in the south is famous for its chimpanzees and a canopy walkway above the treetops. This lush rainforest is home to a variety of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and golden monkeys. Visitors to the Nyungwe Park can embark on guided hiking expeditions to observe these animals, as well as the park’s stunning waterfalls and sweeping vistas.
Lake Kivu
This scenic lake is located on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and relaxing on the beach. Visitors can also explore the nearby towns and villages to experience the local culture and cuisine. Lake Kivu offers calm beaches and boat rides, and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo near Musanze are peaceful in the morning light.
Discover Rwanda
- Before You Travel
- Be prepared for everything. Check the Rwanda travel checklist and requirements.
- Quick travel tips to get maximum of your holidays.