Kimironko Market
Kimironko Market
4.5
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
132 within 3 miles
Attractions
64 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- fidoh O1 contributionWaste management, commercial cold room with ripening chambers powered by chillers to help farmers of fresh produceI learnt some words in Kinyarwanda in my 1 month stay in Kigali at Kabeza. Kimironko market is and as a matter of fact still is one of the best markets in East Africa. I met the market leader Mr. Innocent who gave us security to tour us around and some government officials and allowed us take some pictures of the fresh produce for our new innovations. No mobile phone snatches like other places.Visited November 2023Traveled on businessWritten November 6, 2023
- Vacation010280053723 contributionsGood place to see never boring at the marketFantastic spot to snag great deals on Rwandan clothing and food! If your buddies are up for cooking, it's even better. Remember to assert yourself and negotiate prices down – it's part of the fun. Don't hesitate to say no, as everyone's vying for your attention, but no one will hassle you. I had a blast, discovered some incredible artists, and left with wonderful memories!Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 6, 2024
- UtterViveBeijing, China14 contributionsFresh FoodYou will find fresh out of farm produce here. If you fancy clean food, this is the place for you. People there are friendly but be careful not to be cheated. I bought a pack of tea - two people called different prices for me at the same time; be sure to negotiate. Some people might approach you to carry your bag of items for you; it’s cheap if you can afford it. Overall, good experience.Visited July 2024Traveled soloWritten July 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
215 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
74
Average
28
Poor
2
Terrible
4
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FoodieNat
7 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Avoid! We are extremely well travelled and decided to take a taxi (Yego) to have a look around the market and buy some balls for local kids for our trip.
We have never been hassled to such an extent where we had to leave the market.
Men follow you around even when you firmly insist on them leaving you alone. They then involve themselves in owners shops telling them to increase their price so they can take a cut.
We told them not to do this as three lovely ladies lost a sale from us.
There was also locals fighting which was extremely unpleasant.
Worse market I’ve been to in 60 countries.
We have never been hassled to such an extent where we had to leave the market.
Men follow you around even when you firmly insist on them leaving you alone. They then involve themselves in owners shops telling them to increase their price so they can take a cut.
We told them not to do this as three lovely ladies lost a sale from us.
There was also locals fighting which was extremely unpleasant.
Worse market I’ve been to in 60 countries.
Written December 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tsehay
Jacksonville, FL37 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Not for the faint of heart. If you dont like crowds or being approached by sales people, this is not the place for you. It can feel very overwhelming as everyone is trying to get your attention to buy from their stall. Lots of nice people though. Although it can feel pushy to westerners, everyone was extremely nice.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoltonYankee
Bolton, CT118 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
“Bustling” doesn’t begin to describe this Mecca of commerce. Tools, clothes, housewares, trinkets, an incredible array of things are on sale. The clothes made to order on treadle sewing machines are decent quality and fun.
Now, the experience, because you have to be ready to roll with it. Aisles are narrow, some dimly lit, and packed with people and goods. Young non local women will attract a lot of attention, but mostly from a distance. Overall the market seems pretty safe.
If you’re white or obviously a tourist, you will be approached by people persistently hawking their stuff or offering to “help” you. Politely and confidently telling them you’re not interested helps, ignoring them works too. There are no prices on anything, so everything is a negotiation. But even if you don’t buy anything it’s a great experience.
Now, the experience, because you have to be ready to roll with it. Aisles are narrow, some dimly lit, and packed with people and goods. Young non local women will attract a lot of attention, but mostly from a distance. Overall the market seems pretty safe.
If you’re white or obviously a tourist, you will be approached by people persistently hawking their stuff or offering to “help” you. Politely and confidently telling them you’re not interested helps, ignoring them works too. There are no prices on anything, so everything is a negotiation. But even if you don’t buy anything it’s a great experience.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaEsk
Helsinki, Finland314 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Nice place to buy fabrics and there are many sellers with tourist products also. The shopkeepers can be overwhelming and really try to sell to you. You can have something done for you quickly in a moment from the fabrics at market, there are many women with sewing machines waiting for customers.
Written March 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doris Gloor
Windhoek, Namibia13 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
It's a great market to stroll around. But as a Muzungu you need nervs like steel. You can't move around & look without beeing bothered by young guys. Best advice, go with a Rwandan; first for the language Kinyarwanda, prices & certainly the necessary distance😊
Written September 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan kerr
48 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Terrifying. Got mobbed like we were Taylor Swift. Only white folks there and vendors very aggressive grabbing at your arm. Come my shop, look this, follow me. Without an African guide I don,t think we make it out
Written August 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation01028005372
3 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Fantastic spot to snag great deals on Rwandan clothing and food! If your buddies are up for cooking, it's even better. Remember to assert yourself and negotiate prices down – it's part of the fun. Don't hesitate to say no, as everyone's vying for your attention, but no one will hassle you. I had a blast, discovered some incredible artists, and left with wonderful memories!
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroline H
Toulouse, France6 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
fabrics, basketwork, exotic fruits..
interesting to bring back souvenirs at low prices but it is preferable to be accompanied.
If you are looking for a driver,
I recommend Fidel +250788783131.
Very enthusiastic, a careful driver, and above all very efficient in terms of negotiating with the locals (in the local language) and managing the daily journey.
interesting to bring back souvenirs at low prices but it is preferable to be accompanied.
If you are looking for a driver,
I recommend Fidel +250788783131.
Very enthusiastic, a careful driver, and above all very efficient in terms of negotiating with the locals (in the local language) and managing the daily journey.
Written May 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
been there
Fairfield, CA9 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Prepare to be greeted by young boys offering to guide you through the market. Likely, they will guide you to their own stalls.
The market is not that big, but the wares are diverse from produce and raw meats to tourist souvenirs.
Lots of bargaining, which is fun, but bottom line is a fair profit. Vendors try so hard to eke out even a small profit.
The market is not that big, but the wares are diverse from produce and raw meats to tourist souvenirs.
Lots of bargaining, which is fun, but bottom line is a fair profit. Vendors try so hard to eke out even a small profit.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mukukamukulu
Lusaka, Zambia201 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
It was an average experience. I had expected to find Rwandese specific items, but found general African goods which I can find in any market accross Africa. I could have been in Lusaka, Accra, Nairobi etc. That authentic Rwanda feel was not there.
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a best time to go to the market? In the morning? On the weekends?
Written July 20, 2022
How far is this place from the Kigali city centre ?I am in Kigali for 2 days and that too on a budget. Can I do it easily and what's the entry fees or guide fees if applicable. Lastly what's the best way of getting there?cheers and thanks in advance
Written February 11, 2020
Hey its close to city center and very easy to get there. We had hired a taxi for the full day which took us to all interesting places and turned out very reasonable. There are scooter and cycle taxis too which may perhaps be cheaper if you are travelling alone.
There are no entry fees and no guides.. Its just a market.. You need to bargain a little but the prices are very reasonable for all African arts and crafts and fabric.. Its a market for local people where everything including fruits, vegetables, clothes, shoes... is sold... There are lots of tailors too who stitch a dress or a shirt in 24 hours at a reasonable price.. Vast choice for African fabric..
Written February 12, 2020
Hi there, interested to know about your guide. Was it someone you just met on the spot and 'hired', or was it something you arranged in advance? Many thanks!
Written July 12, 2019
As a foreigner and specially if you cannot speak local language I would advice that u take someone with you who can manage the crowd of porters who (with good intentions) will surround you, all wants to be hired to carry your stuff. It can be uncomfortable experience for those who experience it for the first time.
You can ask the driver or request the hotel to find you a guide. Normal people are very friendly and willing to help.
Written July 14, 2019
Hello! We will have a morning open in Kigali before our flight departs for Qatar, and are thinking of checking out the Marketplace. Will the vendors/sellers accept US Dollars, or should we convert to the Rwandan Franc, or have a combination of both currencies? Thanks in advance for your help.
Written February 26, 2018
I have only used RWF and would endorse the earlier comments about not flashing the cash. Keep your money in separate small amounts so you only have to take out some at a time.
Written February 27, 2018
Do you haggle at the market or just pay what they ask? Also can you buy using us dollars
Written July 12, 2017
Yes to both questions, however you'd get a better price if you pay in the local currency. Have fun!
Written July 12, 2017
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