Ntarama and Nyamata Genocide Memorial Tour: Kigali

Step inside churches where thousands sought refuge during Rwanda’s darkest days

A private, guided tour of Ntarama and Nyamata, two former Catholic churches in Kigali where thousands of Tutsi sought refuge during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. You travel with a local guide fluent in English or French, who walks you through the causes, reality and consequences of the genocide. Hotel pickup, lunch and all fees are included. The tour runs seven hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Ntarama and Nyamata memorials

• Travel to Ntarama Genocide Memorial
• Meet local guide at Ntarama Memorial
• Travel to Nyamata Genocide Memorial
• Meet local guide at Nyamata Memorial

The experience

The tour begins with hotel pickup and a drive to Ntarama, where a local guide meets you to explain what unfolded there. Both churches were places where Tutsi and moderate Hutu believed they would be safe: a belief that proved tragically wrong. The guide walks you through the historical context that led to the genocide, the events of those 100 days between April and July 1994, and the long aftermath for survivors and the country. This is not a passive viewing. The guide's knowledge shapes what you understand about each space and why these memorials exist.

Nyamata, the second stop, follows the same structure: arrival, guided explanation, and time to absorb what the space represents. Both sites are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though the emotional weight of the material is the real demand of the day. Lunch is provided during the tour. Your driver guide handles transportation throughout, and you return to your hotel at the end of the seven hours.

The minimum age for this tour is 15. A guide speaks either English or French depending on your preference at booking. If you prefer not to arrange transport yourself, this tour removes that step. If you want to understand the genocide's history through someone who knows it intimately, the local guide is the core of what you're paying for.

What’s included

• Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a local guide fluent in English or French.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Judith Safaris

Is this one for you?The tour is seven hours and emotionally demanding (you're learning about genocide and standing in the spaces where it occurred), so come prepared for that weight rather than for a typical sightseeing pace. The private format and local guide mean you move at a thoughtful speed and can ask questions as they arise, rather than following a group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What exactly will I see at Ntarama and Nyamata?

Ntarama and Nyamata are former Catholic churches where thousands of Tutsi and moderate Hutu sought shelter during the genocide. The local guide explains the history of each site and what happened there, walking you through the physical spaces and their significance as memorials.

How long does the tour take, and what's included?

The tour runs seven hours and includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide in English or French, lunch, bottled water, and all fees and taxes.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas, surfaces and transportation options are accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What's the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 15. The tour covers difficult historical material, and the operator has set this age requirement for that reason.