Nyamata is a city of 35,000 people (2012) in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.

Understand

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

The town is noted for its magnificent hills and valleys, it is a hub for agriculture and handicrafts.

The town is also known for its history, particularly for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, it is home to the Nyamata Church Memorial, which is a site dedicated to the victims of the 1994 genocide, where visitors can learn about the history and the tragic events of the genocide and pay respect to the victims.

Get in

Nyamata is about 39 km (24 mi), by road, south of Kigali.

See

• 1 Nyamata Genocide Memorial. A worthwhile complement to the Gisozi Memorial Centre in Kigali. The memorial is in a church where over 10,000 people were killed during the 1994 genocide. Visitors take a short tour and see the evidence of the genocide that remains there today - victims' clothing piled on benches, the roof pockmarked with bullet holes, and the open crypts behind the church that hold the remains of over 40,000 people from the area. An extremely moving look into one of the places where the genocide was carried out. If you wish to take photographs of the site, you will need to purchase a permit in Kigali before travelling to Nyamata. It is open 7 days per week and is free to visit. Donations are encouraged as they receive little support from the government. Since 2023, it's one of four memorials making up the UNESCO World Heritage Site Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Ntarama Genocide Memorial (20 minutes north of Nyamata memorial). 8AM-5PM. Also worth visiting. Like the Nyamata memorial, this site was a church before the genocide, and was nationalised to serve as a memorial after thousands of people were killed within its walls. The church itself is different than Nyamata, with victims' clothing eerily displayed from the rafters of the church as a grim reminder of what happened there. Visitors can see large chunks of the outer wall missing, where grenades were used to force entry. Ntarama also has a peaceful memorial garden and wall of names in the back of its compound. Ask the resident guide for a tour in English or French, and remember to give them a donation for the site afterwards; it gets almost no support from the government. It is open 7 days per week and is free to visit. Donations are encouraged as they receive little support from the government. (updated Aug 2020)

Eat

there are various options available for where to eat, some of those options include:

• Local Restaurants: such as Hotel Horizon, Hotel Hill View, and Hotel Kivu, these restaurants offer a variety of local dishes such as brochettes (grilled meat skewers), Isombe (a traditional vegetable dish made with mashed cassava leaves), and Ugali (a type of cornmeal porridge) (a type of cornmeal porridge).

• Street Cuisine: Visitors may also taste street food, such as fried bananas, samosas, and traditional snacks like groundnuts and dried fish.

• Self-catering: If you prefer to make your meals, some guesthouses and hotels also provide self-catering amenities, such as a common kitchen.

Sleep

Palast Rock Hotel located in Nyamata, Bugesera District

Nyamata in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, provides a choice of housing alternatives for travelers, depending on one's budget and tastes. Some alternatives include:

• Hotels: There are various hotels in the town that provide a variety of services, such as Hotel Hill View, Hotel Horizon, and Hotel Kivu. These hotels provide pleasant rooms and essential facilities such as private bathrooms and Wi-Fi.

• Guesthouses: There are also various guesthouses in the town, such as Guesthouse Nyamata, Guesthouse Esperance, and Guesthouse Iriba, which provide more basic lodging at a more moderate price.

• Homestays: For a more genuine experience, guests may also stay with a local family in a homestay. This is an excellent method to learn more about the local culture and way of life.

• In the Akagera National Park, you can discover various eco-lodges such as Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, and Magashi Camp which give a unique experience and an opportunity to explore the animals of the park.

It's essential to be aware that certain establishments may be closed or have shortened hours due to COVID-19. It's always wise to check in advance and also to be mindful of hygiene and sanitation procedures.