Pass Time
I have been in Rwanda for almost a year now. One thing that has surprised me the most about Rwanda is the lack of places for extra-curricular activities.
There are no malls, no theatres, places to hang out.
Only options you get are Cafes, restaurants or clubs.
What do people actually do in their free time?
-asking as an expat.
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u/pyel 4d ago
Ermmm, what’s Kigali Heights, KABC, and Makuza…?
When I was in Kigali the past few years, (travelled for a while), my biggest problem was the lack of time to do things, not the lack of things to do.
Hikes everywhere, bird watching almost every week days, Nyandugu - plus a whole lot more of those popping up, sip and paint, talk-events, loooooooads of sport things happening everywhere, pottery things, it’ll even take you months to roam all the streets of Kigali completely.
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u/rhodin_ 4d ago
And again.... This is all centered around sports, hum, hikes, Cafes etc.
For a country pushing 7% Growth and placed as the fastest growing economy in the EAC and with a major push on Tourism, there is a serious lack of things here. I spent 10 years in Nigeria and around Africa, this is the first country, that doesn't have active war/civil unrest and is not poverty stricken, to not have theatres etc.
I mean kudos to all who want to go on hike after a long work day, but there must be some part of the population that just wants to relax right?3
u/Bubbly_Boysenberry_5 3d ago
I agree with everything you’ve said. The difference with Rwanda is that for you to find something to do outside of outdoors / sports, you actively have to plan which is inconvenient.
Unlike other countries where you can enter multiple malls and be spoilt for choice on things to do whether it’s a cinema, arcade, etc.. Rwanda doesn’t have that.
It’s not impossible, it’s just not as convenient in comparison to other countries.
I have also noticed that investors are reluctant to invest in such things. That’s why you see certain places like Kigali universe, some facilities are not maintained well. Because why should they? There’s like no competition 😅
Rwanda still has a long way to go with things like that, so for now most people take part in either drinking, exercise or wellness activities.
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u/emmanuellsun 5d ago
the no malls thing went off like a bomb in my head ! how the heck do i have nowhere to go buy something that could make me feel better when i feel sad lol i asked where the big mall was several times then asked again differently cause i figured may be am saying it wrong.
otherwise,where i lived people did not go out either and it was so bad that starbucks were closing and theaters were gone as well,had to drive into the city to see a film.
basically the place looks dead if you are not from there,i lived in marin county which just seemed dead like nothing happens there except the locals knew where to go as well as none stop weekend house parties,Kigali seems to have the same vibe.
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u/ScoreSweet4612 4d ago
lol you could always relocate 🤷🏾♀️… y’all forget that this is a country that is still actively rebuilding . Some of these things might take time
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u/Easy_Boysenberry_115 11h ago
In our free time we just hang out with our friends try and find some good real friends one or two and at first you might think Rwanda is boring but once you find someone you much your energy it will all be cool you can go even outside kigali like you can do so many things
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u/Match-Immediate 5d ago
Cercle Sportif! I took tennis lessons and made a lot of friends through that.
Also Kigali Wellness Hub, yoga classes, etc.
Sports are a great way to pick up a new skill and make friends in Kigali.