TEMPUS Magazine redefines time, giving you a glimpse into all things sophisticated, compelling, vibrant, with its pages reflecting the style, luxury and beauty of the world in which we live. A quarterly publication for private aviation enthusiasts.
Issue link: http://tempus-magazine.epubxp.com/i/107193
w through ICT development in both the public and private arenas. A current project, an 1. ICT park for incubating start-ups, will grow 2. companies that focus on energy, fnancial services, and mobile telecommunications, while also serving as an ICT educational resource for Kigali through a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. exploring Kigali wheTheR you'Re interested in gorilla watching, seeking business opportunities, or a cross-country sightseeing trip, the city of Kigali will probably be your frst stop if you travel to "the land of a thousand hills," as Rwanda is known. With a population of about one million, Kigali is by far the largest city in Rwanda and is experienced at catering to international travelers. Kigali International Airport (KGL) provides an easy-to-navigate entry point for visitors arriving from abroad, offering a Wi-Fi-enabled lounge, duty-free shopping, and plenty of transportation options for getting into the city. Signs in English and Kinyarwanda (the native language of most Rwandans) direct travelers throughout the airport. Kigali has a wide selection of hotels. In the city center, Hotel des Mille Collines and Kigali Serena Hotel offer luxurious guest rooms, fne dining (both European and Rwandan fare are available), swimming pools, and ample conference facilities. For those who prefer to avoid the bustle of downtown, the four-star Umubano Hotel supplies many of the same comforts in the quieter Kacyiru neighborhood, including a frst-rate bakery where croque monsieurs, baguettes, and strawberry tarts are made fresh daily. For a hotel near the airport, Hotel Chez Lando in the Remera neighborhood features comfortable guest rooms nestled among sprawling, garden-like grounds. For foodies, opportunities abound for sampling traditional Rwandan dishes as well as the city's take on international favors. Lunch is the best time to try authentic cuisine. Rwandan lunch buffets are offered at most restaurants and are usually very reasonably priced at 2,000–3,000 Rwandan francs ($3–$5). Beef stew, cassava, spinach, rice, and French fries (chips) are typical offerings, but 50 Tempus-Magazine.com . Spring 2013 1. Coffee and tea are Rwanda's largest exports. Here, a tea plantation is tucked amid the rolling topography. 2. Bird watching abounds at Akagera National Park. Nyungwe National Park also offers exceptional bird watching and a chance to take the only forest canopy tour in east Africa. slightly more expensive buffets usually feature fsh and a choice of fruits as well. The most popular Rwandan dish in the evening is easily the brochette, a kebab of grilled meat (usually goat, although most restaurants also serve fsh and beef), onions, and tomato. Kigali's variety of international restaurants might surprise visitors. SoleLuna has cornered the Italian market, offering a staggering pizza list, pasta dishes, and bruschetta. Sakae and Zen provide Pan-Asian dining, including dim sum, noodles, and sushi. For Chinese fare, visitors have several options, including Great Wall, Tangren, and Flamingo. Indian restaurants such as Indian Chef and Zaaffran satisfy cravings for standards like chicken tikka masala and palak paneer. And one of Kigali's newest restaurants, Meze Fresh, ventures into Mexican territory, offering build-your-own burritos and nacho chips. Getting around Kigali and traveling to other destinations in Rwanda is simple. Within the city, local buses run throughout the day, and bus attendants are used to foreign passengers. For adventurous types, motos—motorcycle taxis—are a common sight on Kigali's streets and provide a quicker ride; drivers are familiar with most hotels and tourist destinations and can be hailed from anywhere in town. And traditional taxis, usually all-white sedans, are also available. For traveling beyond the capital's limits, buses or rented cars are the best way to get around. The main bus station, in the Nyabugogo neighborhood, offers bus service to towns throughout the country, and most fares are less than 2,000 Rwandan francs ($3.50). Rwanda defes the expectations formed by outdated African stereotypes, as well as its own tortured past, and proudly presents an array of cultural sites, natural beauty, and business opportunities that is irresistible for the curious explorer. Rwanda's amazing, inspiring, and humbling story is unfolding right now.