Your stay — Step Town Motel
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The Property — Step Town Motel
Step Town Motel has the feel of a no-nonsense, clean layover pit stop rather than a destination hotel. The lobby is small, tiled and functional – think reception desk, a few plastic chairs and a noticeboard with taxi numbers. It suits budget travellers and transit passengers who need a safe, affordable base near the main road, not charm or amenities.
Chronicles of Kigali
Kigali was founded in 1907 as a German colonial outpost, chosen for its defensible hilltop position. It became the capital at independence in 1962, but its modern form dates largely from the post-genocide reconstruction of the 2000s. Today the city is defined by steep hills, orderly boulevards and a fiercely enforced cleanliness campaign. Architecturally, Kigali mixes colonial-era villas with sleek glass office towers and low-rise residential compounds. Its contemporary identity is built on reconciliation, tech-sector growth and an ambitious green urbanism agenda.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kigali guide →Best months
June, July, August. The long dry season gives clear skies and daytime highs around 26°C. Crowds are moderate, as it’s peak tourist season for gorilla treks in neighbouring Volcanoes National Park.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak, driven by the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony (early July) and perfect trekking weather. Hotel prices across Kigali, including Step Town, can jump 20-30% above June rates. Book rooms two months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
September and October are the best budget shoulder months. The rains return but are still light, crowds thin after the summer peak, and room rates drop noticeably.
Weather & packing
Kigali sits at 1,500m so evenings are cool even in July – you will want a fleece or light jacket. Pack a compact rain shell for sudden afternoon drizzles, and always bring waterproof footwear if you plan to walk between neighbourhoods.
Live City Briefing — Kigali
- RwandAir has added a direct Kigali–London Gatwick service operating four times a week from June 2026, making mid-year arrivals easier from the UK.
- The central Kigali road-widening project on KN 5 Avenue (near the convention centre) is ongoing through 2026 – expect detours and slower taxi rides in the City Centre.
- Airbnb and short-term rental regulations tightened in late 2025; Step Town Motel, as a registered hotel, remains fully compliant but double-check your booking confirmation for your stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Step Town Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from the main road. These are likely to be quieter and have slightly better ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly off the reception area or near the staircase – these tend to pick up foot traffic and street-level noise.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the property look over the neighbourhood; front rooms overlook the street. Neither is scenic, but back rooms are quieter.
Quietest floors
Upper floors – 2nd and 3rd.
🔊 Noise notes
Kigali's main roads can get busy with moto-taxis and trucks from early morning. Step Town Motel is on a through route, so street-facing rooms will hear traffic noise until late evening.
Insider tips
If you're driving, ask at check-in about the parking – some spots are tight. Also worth requesting a room with a window that opens fully (not just a small vent) for airflow, as it can get stuffy.
- 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 — Step Town Motel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests. Download speeds average 10 Mbps, sufficient for email and browsing but may struggle with video streaming. Requires room number and surname for access.
No passenger lift. The motel has two floors; guest rooms on the upper floor are accessible only by stairs.
No digital newsstand. Complimentary The New Times (Rwanda) and local English/French papers available at reception. The building is a modern low-rise (circa 2015) with no heritage features.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available at reception from 10:00 (no charge). Late check-out until 16:00 costs RWF 20,000; after 16:00, a full night's charge applies.
Complimentary baggage storage on-site for day guests or before/after check-in; no formal luggage room but staff will secure bags.
Step-free access to the ground-floor reception and one ground-floor accessible room. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom or shower in that room; upper floors and the restaurant are not accessible by wheelchair.
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars in an unsecured open lot. Nearest public car park is at Kacyiru Market (RWF 1,500 per hour, no overnight fee). No EV charging available.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit may be required for bookings made less than 7 days before arrival; at check-in, a refundable hold of RWF 50,000 is placed on a credit or debit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Centre National Pastorale (333 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église de la Sainte-Famille de Kigali (541 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Presbyterian Church of the Kiyovu Diocese (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Seventh Day Adventist Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Union Trade Centre — 843 m · ~11 min walk
Place de l'Unité Nationale — 629 m · ~8 min walk
Kigali Genocide Memorial — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Police training playground — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 872 m · ~11 min walk
Ivuriro Emmergency Care — 492 m · ~6 min walk
Chez Venant — 943 m · ~12 min walk
Kigali CBD Bus Station — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Rwandan Franc, RWF
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel bureaux which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in most supermarkets, hotels, and mid-range restaurants; cash is king at markets and for motos.
Not mandatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants, small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a roadside stall or small café – about 1,000–2,000 RWF.
Plate of rice, beans, and chapati or grilled meat from a local canteen – roughly 3,000–5,000 RWF.
Grilled chicken or fish with chips and vegetables at a simple restaurant – around 5,000–8,000 RWF.
Nyabugogo or central market areas have brochettes (skewered meat) and roasted maize; evenings near taxi parks.
Nakumatt (now part of Shoppers) and Gahaya Supermarket are common budget chains in this area.
Kimironko Market for second-hand and new clothes at negotiable prices; Marche de la Paix also good.
Moto (motorbike taxi) rides – 500–1,500 RWF within central Kigali; from airport take a local bus (500 RWF) to town.
Withdraw cash from bank ATMs to avoid card fees; eat at local brochetterie or canteens rather than tourist cafes; bargain at markets but stay friendly.
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 Step Town Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 872 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Ivuriro Emmergency Care — 492 m · ~6 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.
About Kigali
Wikipedia ↗
Kigali (Kinyarwanda pronunciation: [ki.ɡɑ́.ɾi]), officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City (abbreviated as KGL or CoK), is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Step Town Motel?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from the main road. These are likely to be quieter and have slightly better ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Step Town Motel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly off the reception area or near the staircase – these tend to pick up foot traffic and street-level noise.
Is Step Town Motel noisy?
Kigali's main roads can get busy with moto-taxis and trucks from early morning. Step Town Motel is on a through route, so street-facing rooms will hear traffic noise until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Step Town Motel?
Rooms at the back of the property look over the neighbourhood; front rooms overlook the street. Neither is scenic, but back rooms are quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Step Town Motel?
If you're driving, ask at check-in about the parking – some spots are tight. Also worth requesting a room with a window that opens fully (not just a small vent) for airflow, as it can get stuffy.
What time is check-in at Step Town Motel?
Check-in at Step Town Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Step Town Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests. Download speeds average 10 Mbps, sufficient for email and browsing but may struggle with video streaming. Requires room number and surname for access.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Step Town Motel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Step Town Motel?
Plate of rice, beans, and chapati or grilled meat from a local canteen – roughly 3,000–5,000 RWF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Step Town Motel?
Moto (motorbike taxi) rides – 500–1,500 RWF within central Kigali; from airport take a local bus (500 RWF) to town.
When is the best time to visit Kigali?
June, July, August. The long dry season gives clear skies and daytime highs around 26°C. Crowds are moderate, as it’s peak tourist season for gorilla treks in neighbouring Volcanoes National Park.
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.