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Home  /  Services  /  Genocide Memorial Tour
Kigali Genocide Memorial  ·  Rwanda

Remembrance,
Resilience & Hope

—Guided tours on consultation
250,000+Victims remembered here
100 daysDuration of genocide
1994Year it occurred
Book Guided Tour Learn More
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Location
Kigali, Rwanda
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Duration
2–4 Hours
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Guide
Expert local guide
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Language
English / French
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Entry
Free (donation)
Kigali Genocide Memorial Garden
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Use respectful garden/architecture imagery
Memorial Wall
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About This Tour

An Act of Witness

In April 1994, in the span of 100 days, approximately 800,000 to 1,000,000 Rwandans — primarily of Tutsi ethnicity — were killed in one of the most rapid genocides in human history. The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the burial site of over 250,000 of these victims, and home to a powerful, carefully curated permanent exhibition that tells the full story.

Visiting this memorial is not simply a tourist activity. It is an act of witness — of saying: we acknowledge what happened here, we honour those who were lost, and we commit to understanding how genocide happens so that it can never happen again. Our guides carry this responsibility with immense care and personal connection.

Trained sensitive local guides
Full historical context provided
Respectful, dignified approach
Private transport included
Post-visit debrief and Q&A
Can combine with Kigali city tour
What You Will See

Inside the Memorial

Exhibition
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The Permanent Exhibition
Chronological and deeply informative — beginning with Rwanda's pre-colonial history, the Belgian colonial period, the gradual escalation of violence, the 100 days, and the extraordinary recovery that followed. Plan 1.5–2 hours for this section alone.
Memorial Garden
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The Memorial Gardens
The beautifully maintained gardens contain the mass graves of 250,000+ victims, marked with dignity and care. A memorial wall lists thousands of names. Visitors may leave flowers. The gardens offer a space for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Children Memorial
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The Children's Memorial
One of the most moving sections — dedicated to children who were killed, with photographs, names, favourite foods, and last words of those they loved. Our guides prepare visitors and allow time and space to process this deeply affecting experience.
Photo Gallery

The Memorial in Images

Please use respectful, dignified imagery — gardens, architecture, candles, flowers, memorial walls.

Memorial Garden
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Tall portrait
Garden or exterior
The Memorial Garden
Memorial Building
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The Memorial Building
Candles of Remembrance
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Candles of Remembrance
Names Wall
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The Names Wall
Flowers of Peace
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Flowers of Peace
Tour Schedule

What to Expect

Departure
Pickup from Your Hotel
Private vehicle collects you from any Kigali hotel. 10–20 minute drive to the memorial.
Arrival
Introduction & Context
Your guide provides historical context before entering — covering Rwanda's pre-colonial history, Belgian colonialism, and the events leading to 1994. This preparation makes the experience profoundly more meaningful.
1.5–2 Hours
The Exhibition
Guided walk through the permanent exhibition. Your guide provides personal commentary, answers questions, and allows time for reflection at key moments. The children's memorial section will be visited last.
30 Minutes
The Memorial Gardens
Walking through the grounds — mass graves, the names wall, rose gardens. Counsellors are on site at all times. There is no shame in needing a moment of quiet or support.
After
Debrief, Q&A & Return
Your guide leads a quiet debrief session to process what you have experienced. Time for questions. Then return to your hotel or continue to the next activity if combining with Kigali City Tour.
Visitor Guidelines

How to Visit Respectfully

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Dress Code
  • Dress modestly and respectfully
  • Avoid bright colours if possible
  • No shorts — cover your knees
  • Cover your shoulders if possible
  • This is a site of mourning
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Photography
  • Photography NOT permitted in exhibition rooms
  • Allowed respectfully in the gardens
  • Never photograph graves themselves
  • Ask your guide if unsure
  • Switch phone to silent throughout
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Behaviour
  • Speak quietly throughout the entire site
  • Give other visitors space and silence
  • This is a shared space of grief
  • Your calm presence is a gift to others
  • On-site counsellors always available
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After Your Visit
  • Many visitors find this deeply affecting
  • Our guides always debrief after the visit
  • Allow time — do not rush to the next activity
  • A quiet lunch nearby is often appreciated
  • We can arrange onward Kigali tour if you wish
Tour Options

Memorial Tour Packages

Half Day
Memorial Visit
On request
per person · half day
  • Guided memorial visit (2–3 hrs)
  • Expert trained guide
  • Full exhibition with commentary
  • Garden and graves visit
  • Private vehicle from your hotel
  • Post-visit debrief & Q&A
Book Memorial Visit
Most Meaningful
✦ Full Day
History & Healing Tour
On request
per person · full day
  • Kigali Genocide Memorial (3 hrs)
  • Presidential Palace Museum visit
  • Reconciliation Village visit
  • Meeting a genocide survivor (optional)
  • Traditional Rwandan lunch included
  • Private guide all day
  • All transport & entry fees included
Book History Tour
Combined
Memorial + Kigali City
On request
per person · full day
  • Morning: Genocide Memorial (3 hrs)
  • Afternoon: Full Kigali City Tour
  • Inema Arts Centre visit
  • Nyamirambo neighbourhood walk
  • Caplaki Craft Village shopping
  • Rwandan lunch included
  • Full day with private guide
Book Combined Tour
Guest Reflections

Words from Our Visitors

★★★★★
Our guide carried this history with such dignity and love. He did not just tell us facts — he helped us feel the weight of it, and then helped us understand why Rwanda chose forgiveness. I left transformed.
Daniel Osei
🇺🇸 United States · February 2025
★★★★★
I was nervous about visiting — I did not know if I was ready. Manoir's guide made it safe to feel everything. The debrief afterwards allowed me to ask the questions I did not know how to ask. Essential.
Lucie Marchand
🇧🇪 Belgium · January 2025
★★★★★
Our guide was the grandson of a survivor. Hearing him speak about forgiveness and Rwanda's future was one of the most profound moments of my life. This tour is not optional — it is essential to understanding Rwanda.
Marcus Brown
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · November 2024
Common Questions

Memorial Tour FAQ

Is visiting the memorial appropriate as a tourist?
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Yes — the memorial was built to be visited by Rwandans and the world alike. Its mission is education, remembrance, and prevention. Visitors from all over the world come to bear witness, to learn, and to honour those who were lost. The memorial's directors actively encourage international visitors because global memory and understanding is central to its purpose.
How emotionally difficult is the visit?
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Many visitors find the memorial deeply affecting — particularly the children's section and the personal testimonies. This is a natural and appropriate response. On-site counsellors are available at all times. Our guides are trained to support visitors emotionally throughout the experience and during the post-visit debrief. There is no shame in needing a moment, and we never rush the visit.
Should I read about the genocide before visiting?
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Yes — we strongly recommend reading or watching something about the 1994 Rwandan genocide before arriving. A basic understanding makes the experience far more meaningful and respectful. We recommend the book "We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families" by Philip Gourevitch, or the film "Hotel Rwanda" as starting points. Our guides will provide full context during the tour itself.
Is it appropriate to combine the memorial with a city tour?
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Yes — in fact we often recommend it. Seeing the vibrant, modern, hopeful city of Kigali in the afternoon after the memorial provides a profound and meaningful contrast: this is a country that faced the worst of human capacity and chose to rebuild with remarkable dignity and vision. The juxtaposition of morning mourning and afternoon celebration of Rwanda's recovery is one of the most powerful experiences we offer.
Is the memorial free to enter?
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Entry to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is free, though donations are warmly welcomed and go directly to the Aegis Trust which manages the memorial and its education programmes. Our guided tour fee covers your private guide, transport, and the full Manoir service experience. A portion of every Manoir memorial tour booking is donated to the memorial on your behalf.

Visit with Respect and Understanding

Book a guided memorial tour with Manoir — led by trained, sensitive local guides who carry this history with care and personal connection. No commitment required to enquire.

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