Heritage · Gisozi, Gasabo District, Kigali

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Place of remembrance and learning on Gisozi hill, resting place of more than 250,000 victims

Ambient sound · similar settingRobin-chat song in highland forest undergrowth

Photo: Adam Jones, Ph.D. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Discover Kigali Genocide Memorial

On a quiet hillside in Gisozi, a short drive from central Kigali, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is where Rwanda remembers the more than one million people killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. More than 250,000 of them are buried here, beneath simple concrete slabs set among gardens that invite reflection rather than spectacle.

For most visitors this is the first and most important stop in Kigali. The permanent exhibitions explain how the genocide was planned and carried out, how it ended, and how the country has worked towards justice and reconciliation since. It is a sombre visit, but also a profoundly human one, and many travellers say it changes how they see the rest of their journey through Rwanda. Allow time, move slowly, and give yourself space afterwards.

Don’t miss

01Mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are laid to rest, marked by simple slabs and fresh flowers
02Permanent exhibition on the history, planning, events and aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
03The children's memorial, a quiet tribute to the youngest victims
04Exhibition on other twentieth-century genocides and the lessons they share
05Memorial gardens designed for reflection, with views over the hills of Kigali

History & culture

The story of Kigali Genocide Memorial

The City of Kigali set aside land on Gisozi hill in 1999, and burials of victims recovered from across the city began soon after. The memorial opened to the public in April 2004, at the tenth commemoration of the genocide. It was established at the request of the City of Kigali and the national commission responsible for the fight against genocide, with the UK-based Aegis Trust, which continues to run it on the commission's behalf.

Inside, the main exhibition traces Rwanda's history from the colonial period through the division of society, the propaganda and planning of the 1990s, the hundred days of killing in 1994 and the aftermath. A separate memorial is dedicated to children who were killed, and another exhibition places the Genocide against the Tutsi alongside other genocides of the twentieth century. The site also houses an education centre and documentation archive.

In 2023 UNESCO inscribed Gisozi on the World Heritage List together with the memorials at Nyamata, Murambi and Bisesero, recognising these places as sites of memory of universal significance.

Local life & traditions

For Rwandans this is not a tourist attraction but a cemetery and a place of mourning, visited by families, schools and official delegations throughout the year. Each year from 7 April the country observes Kwibuka, a national period of commemoration, when memorial events take place across Rwanda and many people gather here. Visitors are welcome, and the respectful silence that most people keep is part of what makes the memorial so powerful.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors take the self-guided route through the exhibitions with an audio guide, then walk out to the gardens and burial site. Laying a rose at the graves is a simple, meaningful gesture, and the memorial's visitor package includes one. Staff-guided tours, many led by survivors, can be booked in advance for families and groups who want to ask questions and understand the history in more depth.

Give the visit at least an hour and a half. Many people find it helpful to sit for a while in the gardens or the on-site café afterwards before moving on. If you plan to visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum as well, coming here first provides the essential context.

When to go

The memorial is open year-round and indoor exhibitions make it suitable in any weather; Kigali's drier months (June to September and December to February) make walking the gardens more comfortable. Arrive in the morning for a calmer visit. Note that it opens only in the afternoon on the last Saturday of each month because of Umuganda community work, and is normally closed to the public on the morning of 7 April, the start of Kwibuka commemorations.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours: Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm, last entry 4:00pm; last Saturday of each month 1:00pm to 5:00pm (Umuganda) Source: kgm.rw ↗
Closures: Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day; normally closed to the public on the morning of 7 April; occasional short-notice closures for official visits Source: kgm.rw ↗
Admission: Entrance is free; an optional visitor package with audio guide and a rose for the burial site is available, and staff-guided tours can be booked in advance Source: kgm.rw ↗
Photography: Not permitted inside the museum; photography outdoors on the grounds is allowed Source: kgm.rw ↗
Age restriction: Children under 12 are not permitted Source: kgm.rw ↗
Etiquette: Dress and behave respectfully; do not walk on the mass graves; no eating or drinking in the gardens or exhibitions Source: kgm.rw ↗
Getting there: Free car park on site; nearest bus stop is Kinamba on KN 8 Avenue, about half a mile away, then walk uphill via KG 14 Avenue Source: kgm.rw ↗
Accessibility: Much of the site is wheelchair accessible, but the permanent exhibitions are currently reached only by stairs; assistance can be arranged in advance Source: kgm.rw ↗
World Heritage: Inscribed by UNESCO in 2023 as part of 'Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero' Source: whc.unesco.org ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Visit early in your trip; the exhibitions give context for everything else you will see in Rwanda.
Wear modest, respectful clothing; covered shoulders and knees are a sensible choice for everyone.
Keep voices low and phones on silent, and ask before photographing other visitors outdoors.
Bags are screened at the entrance, so travel light.
Allow quiet time afterwards; the café on site is a gentle place to pause before your next stop.
Book a staff-guided tour at least a week ahead if you are travelling as a group.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Kigali Genocide Memorial: food, markets & places to stay

The memorial sits in Gisozi, north of the city centre, roughly ten minutes by car from downtown Kigali; taxis and moto-taxis are easy to arrange for the return. The on-site Museum Café serves light meals and drinks. Central Kigali, with its car-free zone, restaurants and hotels, is a short drive south, and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum at the Parliament buildings in Gishushu is a natural second visit on another day.