The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre Kigali is one of the most reliable places to begin or end a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari, a polished city base set beside the landmark Kigali Convention Centre with its distinctive dome glowing over the capital’s skyline. For most travellers, Kigali is the arrival and departure point, and a comfortable, dependable hotel here bookends the wilder days spent in the mountains to the north.
This guide looks at the hotel purely as a Kigali stay: the rooms, the dining, the pool and spa, the convention-centre setting, and how it fits into the rhythm of a gorilla trip. It is a large international property rather than a boutique retreat, and that is precisely its appeal for a first night or a final wind-down.
The Rooms
The hotel offers close to 290 rooms and suites, from Standard and Business rooms up to Junior, Presidential and Diplomatic suites. A defining feature is that rooms come with their own private balcony and city views, which is unusual for a business hotel of this scale. Interiors are contemporary and generously proportioned, with climate control, satellite television, a minibar, a coffee station and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout. After a long-haul flight or several early mornings on the trail, the quiet, well-insulated rooms and reliable air conditioning are genuinely restorative.
Dining and Bars
Dining is handled by two restaurants. The Larder is the all-day venue, serving continental and Rwandan dishes and a substantial breakfast buffet that is easy to enjoy before an early transfer. Filini brings an Italian menu and typically opens from midday for lunch and dinner. For drinks, the Lounge and the Piazza Bar both pour a wide range of wines, beers, spirits and fresh-fruit cocktails, making them pleasant spots to decompress after arriving or to toast a successful trek before flying home.
Facilities (Pool, Spa, Convention Centre)
The leisure side is well equipped. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fully fitted gym, a tennis court and scheduled aerobics classes, plus the Izuba Wellness Spa for massages and treatments. It is a genuinely useful line-up if you have a spare afternoon in the city or want to ease tired legs after the mountains. The adjoining Kigali Convention Centre is one of East Africa’s largest, with a net floor area of around 32,200 square metres and roughly 18 meeting rooms including an auditorium, capable of hosting several thousand delegates. Even if you are not attending an event, the complex gives the hotel a lively, well-serviced feel.
Location and Getting Around
The hotel sits in the Kimihurura area, close to the convention centre and only about 5 kilometres from the city centre. Kigali International Airport (KGL) is roughly 8 kilometres away, a taxi ride of around 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. This central-yet-quiet position means you can reach restaurants, the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the city’s craft and coffee scene easily, while still being well placed for the drive north to the gorilla parks. Metered taxis, ride-hailing apps and hotel transfers are all straightforward to arrange.
Using It Before or After Your Gorilla Safari
Kigali is the natural gateway for gorilla trekking, and the drive from the capital to the trailheads is typically two and a half to three hours. Many travellers spend their first night here to recover from the flight, then set off early for the mountains; others save it for the end, returning to the city to celebrate and repack before flying out. The Radisson Blu suits both patterns. Its size and consistency mean you know exactly what you are getting, which is reassuring at the start of a trip. If you are still weighing where to sleep once you reach the park, our guide on how to choose the right gorilla trekking lodge is a useful companion, and the complete guide to Volcanoes National Park covers what awaits at the other end of the road.
Rates and Best Time to Stay
Rates are quoted per room per night and are best confirmed on enquiry, as they vary by season and, notably, by whatever is happening at the convention centre. Major conferences and summits can fill the hotel and push prices up, so if your travel dates are fixed it is worth booking early and checking whether a large event coincides with your stay. Kigali’s climate is pleasant year-round, so timing here is driven more by your gorilla permits and flights than by weather.
How far is the Radisson Blu from Kigali International Airport?
The hotel is roughly 8 kilometres from Kigali International Airport (KGL), typically a 15 to 20 minute taxi transfer depending on traffic, which makes it convenient for late arrivals and early departures.
Is it a good base for gorilla trekking?
It works well as a city base at the start or end of a trip. The drive from Kigali to the gorilla trailheads is around two and a half to three hours, so most travellers overnight here and continue north, or return to the hotel before flying home.
What dining is available at the hotel?
There are two restaurants, The Larder for all-day continental and Rwandan dishes plus a breakfast buffet, and Filini for Italian cuisine from midday. The Lounge and Piazza Bar serve wines, beers, spirits and cocktails.
Does the hotel have a pool and spa?
Yes. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a tennis court, aerobics classes and the Izuba Wellness Spa offering massages and treatments.
How much does a room cost?
Rates are quoted per room per night and vary by season and by events at the adjoining convention centre. It is best to confirm current pricing on enquiry, and to book early if a major conference overlaps your dates.
