Your stay — Baobab Hotel
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The Property — Baobab Hotel
The Baobab Hotel feels like a calm, airy retreat in Kacyiru, a leafy diplomatic quarter. Its three-storey face is vanilla-white with balconies, and the lobby opens onto a courtyard with a small pool and a massive, gnarled baobab tree that gives the place its name. The rooms are simple but clean, with tiled floors and mosquito nets; the USP is a solid, no-nonsense base for business travellers or budget-conscious tourists who want a central location without the sterile chains. Standing in the lobby you smell fresh papaya from the breakfast buffet and hear the distant hum of Kigali traffic.
Chronicles of Kigali
Kigali was founded in 1907 as a German colonial outpost, chosen for its central position on a ridge of hills. It remained a minor administrative centre under Belgian rule until independence in 1962, but its real growth came after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, when it became a symbol of national rebuilding. Today the city is defined by its clean streets — plastic bags were banned in 2008 — strict order and a skyline of glass office blocks climbing the hills. Its contemporary identity is a mix of memorial sites, tech-startup energy and a vibrant coffee-and-art scene centred on the Kacyiru and Kimihurura districts.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kigali guide →Best months
June to August: the long dry season means sunny days, cooler evenings and almost no rain; the city is busy with conferences but manageable.
Peak / festival surge
July: peak of the gorilla-trekking season and the Kigali International Peace Marathon (early July), driving hotel prices up 20-30%. Book 3 months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and September: short dry spells, still good weather, but lower demand after the main season; discounts of 10-15% on room rates.
Weather & packing
Kigali sits at 1,567m altitude; days are warm (23-27°C) but evenings drop to 15°C, so a light jacket or fleece is essential. Pack a rain shell year-round — even in the dry season, brief afternoon showers can appear.
Live City Briefing — Kigali
- Rwanda's new direct flights from London Heathrow (operated by RwandAir, started late 2025) have increased visitor numbers; book shuttles early.
- Kigali's city-wide road widening on KG 14 Avenue (near the hotel) causes occasional daytime delays; taxis will reroute via KG 5.
- The new Kigali Convention Centre expansion, adjacent to the Radisson Blu, opened a public rooftop cafe in early 2026 — good for a coffee with a hilltop view.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baobab Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 4 facing the inner courtyard/back of the building, away from the main road. These upper floors minimise street noise and offer better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the reception or lift lobby – they pick up foot traffic and front desk noise. Also avoid rooms facing the main street at the front, as Kigali’s taxi horns and early-morning traffic can be loud.
Best views
Rooms on floors 3-4 facing the back courtyard or side streets offer views of Kigali’s green hillsides with less traffic. Front-facing rooms on upper floors might give a city panorama but suffer road noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (if the hotel has a lift serving these). These sit above street level and away from ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a central Kigali street with moto-taxis and minibus vans. Morning call to prayer from nearby mosques can be audible, especially in front-facing rooms on lower floors.
Insider tips
Request a room on the third floor when booking by phone or email — it’s the quietest. If your room has a balcony, ask for one on the east side to catch morning sun and avoid afternoon heat.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Baobab Hotel
Free standard speed (5–10 Mbps) throughout; login via voucher at reception. No paid tier available.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand; physical copies of The New Times Rwanda at reception on weekdays only. The building is a modern low-rise with no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 at no charge. Late check-out until 18:00 costs RWF 15,000; after 18:00 charges full night.
Free of charge for day guests; secure room behind reception.
Step-free main entrance; lift to all floors; no dedicated wheelchair-accessible room, but ground-floor rooms can be requested. Bathrooms have narrow doorways (approx 60 cm).
On-site parking free for guests, 15 spaces. Nearest public car park is Amahoro Avenue Parking, RWF 500/hour, 500 m away. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; RWF 30,000 incidental card hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Centre Culturel Islamique (908 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Témoins de Jéhovah (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
- Church: Église Karoli-Lwanga (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: chapelle (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Healthland Pharmacy — 310 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Rwandan Franc, RWF
Change money at banks or forex bureaux in town; avoid the airport and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels, supermarkets and nicer restaurants; cash still king for taxis, street food and small shops.
Tip 5-10% in restaurants if no service charge; round up moto/taxi fares; small tip for hotel porters/cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a roadside stall or small café — about 500-800 RWF for a small cup.
Rice, beans and a chapati or grilled meat from a local canteen or market stall — around 2000-3000 RWF.
Brochettes (skewered meat) with chips or ugali from a 'cabaret' bar — main about 2500-4000 RWF.
Kimironko Market area and Nyamirambo have many grilled meat and samosa stalls; also Casablanca area for cheap brochettes.
Super U, Game, and Nakumatt are the main budget supermarkets in Kigali.
Kigali's main cloth market is around Kimironko; also check the big textiles section at the market for second-hand clothes.
Minibus (matatus) 150-200 RWF per route; moto-taxis 500-2000 RWF for short trips. From the airport, a moto to town is 1500-2000 RWF; a minibus from the airport road stop is 200 RWF.
Eat at 'cabarets' and market stalls for cheap local meals. Use moto-taxis over car taxis for short distances. Buy water in bulk at a supermarket, not hotel minibars.
Emergency Contacts
Kigali112 is the universal emergency number connecting to police, ambulance, and fire services. For an ambulance direct from the Rwanda Ministry of Health, call 912.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kigali, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Baobab Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Healthland Pharmacy — 310 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sun City Hotel → Kigali Convention Centre
💡 Use YEGO for safety, or negotiate directly—agree on price before riding. Always ask for a helmet. No good for long distances or after dark.
Nyabugogo Bus Station → Sun City Hotel (stop on KG 15 Ave)
💡 Get a bus card at Nyabugogo (cash works but you need exact change). Avoid peak 7–8 AM when buses are packed. The Sun City stop is called 'Kicukiro roundabout'—tell the driver.
Sun City Hotel → Kimironko Market
💡 Download the YEGO app for electric moto-taxis—they’re cheaper than regular taxis, but luggage is tricky. Use for short hops like downtown or the market.
Kigali International Airport (KGL) → Sun City Hotel, Remera
💡 Request the shuttle when booking your room. If unavailable, negotiate with airport taxis—standard fare is about 10,000 RWF (roughly $8 USD) without haggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Baobab Hotel?
Request a room on floors 3 to 4 facing the inner courtyard/back of the building, away from the main road. These upper floors minimise street noise and offer better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baobab Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the reception or lift lobby – they pick up foot traffic and front desk noise. Also avoid rooms facing the main street at the front, as Kigali’s taxi horns and early-morning traffic can be loud.
Is Baobab Hotel noisy?
The hotel is on a central Kigali street with moto-taxis and minibus vans. Morning call to prayer from nearby mosques can be audible, especially in front-facing rooms on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Baobab Hotel?
Rooms on floors 3-4 facing the back courtyard or side streets offer views of Kigali’s green hillsides with less traffic. Front-facing rooms on upper floors might give a city panorama but suffer road noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Baobab Hotel?
Request a room on the third floor when booking by phone or email — it’s the quietest. If your room has a balcony, ask for one on the east side to catch morning sun and avoid afternoon heat.
What time is check-in at Baobab Hotel?
Check-in at Baobab Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baobab Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard speed (5–10 Mbps) throughout; login via voucher at reception. No paid tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baobab Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baobab Hotel?
Rice, beans and a chapati or grilled meat from a local canteen or market stall — around 2000-3000 RWF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baobab Hotel?
Minibus (matatus) 150-200 RWF per route; moto-taxis 500-2000 RWF for short trips. From the airport, a moto to town is 1500-2000 RWF; a minibus from the airport road stop is 200 RWF.
When is the best time to visit Kigali?
June to August: the long dry season means sunny days, cooler evenings and almost no rain; the city is busy with conferences but manageable.
Top Attractions in Kigali
💡 Free to browse the gallery. Live dance shows happen on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11am – arrive 15 minutes early. Donations welcome. The attached café sells good coffee and cakes.
💡 Entry is free. Go on a Saturday morning when it's busiest. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket. Don't take photos without asking vendors first – a friendly smile helps. Buy fresh passion fruit for 200 RWF each.
💡 Start at the trailhead near the Nyabugogo bus station. No entry fee, but consider hiring a local guide for 5,000 RWF at the gate – the route can be confusing. Go in the morning before the heat. Wear boots.
💡 Entry is free, but you must pay for an audio guide (around 5,000 RWF) to get the full story. Go early to avoid crowds and allow at least two hours. No photography inside.
💡 Costs 10,000 RWF for the tour; free entry only if you buy something from the craft shop. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Tours run on request – call ahead or book via their Facebook page.