What it is
A city of well over a million people at about 1,500m, built across a set of ridges, with the international airport ten minutes from the centre.
Why go
The Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 people are buried, is the single most important thing to do in Rwanda. Give it half a day and schedule nothing demanding afterwards. Beyond that: a good coffee and restaurant scene, the Nyamirambo walking tour, and craft markets worth an hour.
When to go
Any time. Most itineraries use it for the first night and the last. Umuganda, a national community-work morning, falls on the last Saturday of each month: shops close and traffic stops until around midday, so plan the day around it rather than into it.
Most people stay 1-2 nights.