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Four Places to Relax in KigaliThings to do on a Quiet day in Rwanda's Capital
Whether you work here or whether you're touring around East Africa, Kigali is a small, non-hectic place to unwind on a day off.
From coffee at one Kigali's best loves coffee shops to dancing the night away and learning how to salsa. There is so much to see and do. Here are four of the best-loves venues in the capital. Bourbon Coffee ShopBased in the Union Trade Centre (UTC), this relaxed hang-out has become legendary. They have recently compiled a new menu and branched out to the MTN centre. All produce is sourced within Rwanda, including a wide range of coffee and tea as well as delicious ice-cold fruit smoothies and mouth-watering cakes. It’s good for hot snacks too with paninis, sandwiches and chips all available. It’s a little on the pricey-side though and you can happily part with FRW 6-8,000 (£6-8/$12-16) on drinks and food. However, it’s one of the few places in the city with a wireless internet connection and you get free surf-time with each coffee you buy. A lovely place to while away the afternoon sitting on the balcony watching the world go by. Open every day except Umuganda before 11:00 (last Saturday of every month). Nyarutarama Tennis Club and Swimming PoolIt’s best to get a moto here as it’s a little secluded. It is billed as an “Olympic Sports Centre” but don’t get your hopes too high, the swimming pool is rather short of Olympic-sized but pleasant non-the-less. It costs around FRW 2,000 (£2/$4) for a swim, including towel, which makes it cheaper than most of the hotels in Kigali and far nicer with shaded seating and green grass to sprawl out on. It also hosts a fully-stocked bar and café area with a range of good grub, from burgers to spaghetti, to fill you up after your swim. A great place to recline with a book and work on that sun tan. Open all week, best to arrive for a swim after 10:00am as they clean the pool. Bar RepublikaSituated on the Kiyovu side of town on Rue de l'Akanyary, about a ten-fifteen minute walk down the hill from the Mill Collines and India Khazana, this little bar is the hothouse of cool. So laid-back it’s horizontal, there’s a range of comfortable sofas inside and an outside terrace where you can chill-out with friends and enjoy the well-stocked bar. Their food is also superb, be it a juicy steak with mustard sauce or a plate of sambaza (little fried fish with dip) and the music is usually funky. A great place to un-wind after a day of sight-seeing, or to warm-up before a night on the tiles at one of Kigali’s numerous clubs. SalsaSalsa is big in Kigali, so get your dancing shoes on and swing by for a free beginners or advanced class. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never salsad before, the first half of the evening takes you through the very basics from scratch whilst the second half is devoted to those who want to flaunt their abilities. Salsa takes place at the Passadena building in Gikondo every Thursday from 7:00pm. Food and drink are available, for more information check-out their website or drop them an e-mail. A great way to meet locals and other travellers. Note: being a developing country, many venues don't have phone numbers or e-mail addresses.
The copyright of the article Four Places to Relax in Kigali in Sub-Sahara Africa Travel is owned by Marion Grace Woolley. Permission to republish Four Places to Relax in Kigali in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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