ABOUT
Kelly is from Greece where she studied and worked as a nurse for about 10 years. She is now a travel planner/travel advisor based in Kigali, Rwanda. She speaks Greek, English and basic level German.
Moving to kigali
When and why did you move to Kigali?
I moved with my husband and 2 children in 2020. We wanted to start our own businesses and be self- employed.
What is Kigali famous for?
Kigali, and generally Rwanda, is famous for its lush green hills (also called the Land of a Thousand Hills), and also for being one of the cleanest and safest cities (and countries) in the world.
What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?
How clean everything is. You see no litter anywhere. And people are very kind and polite.
How to find a job in Kigali?
Finding a job in Kigali is not easy as a foreigner. To get a visa you have to get a job that a Rwandan cannot do. You can’t come and do just anything.
It’s very easy and encouraged to start your own business, Rwanda will help you with that. But being employed, it usually is through multinationals or NGOs.
How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)
I first registered my business which took literally 24h to be approved. Then with the approval I went to the bank and opened a business account. It is generally very easy. For the phone number you only need your passport and you have it straight away.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
It wasn’t difficult, but I am paying for private health insurance here.
How did you find an apartment in Kigali?
The rent always depends, there is a huge difference in prices. You can get an apartment for 100 USD and a house for 5000 USD. It depends on how modern/big that house is.
I used mostly social media (Facebook groups where rentals are advertised) and word of mouth. We asked around in the neighborhood we liked.
What should people consider before deciding to move to Kigali?
The financial aspect is the most important. How to find a job (it’s not that easy) and have an income. If that is sorted out, Kigali is a beautiful city to live in.
Living in Kigali
What are the main differences between Greeks and Rwandans?
Greeks (as most Europeans) are fast, in a hurry. Life in Europe is fast paced.
Rwandans are patient, slow, late in appointments, drive slowly, smile a lot and are more polite.
What language do you need to live in Kigali?
You get by very easily with English.
What are your favorite things to do in Kigali specifically?
Having Rwandan coffee in one of the quiet, green cafes they have here and enjoying the breeze.
When’s the best moment to visit?
Rwanda is an all year round destination. If you want to avoid the rainy season (where nature is green and temperatures lower, and many travelers prefer it), you should come between June and late August and January – February.
Do you feel safe as a woman in Rwanda?
The safest I have ever felt. No harassment, very respectful people and a very low crime rate. Rwanda is also one of the top 10 countries in the world with the smallest gender gap.
Where is the best area to live in Kigali?
Every area has its own beauty, honestly. Kigali is built on hills. Every hill and every valley has beautiful views all around, and since there are no dangerous areas, I would choose a neighborhood based on how close it is from work and from our kid’s school.
What are some underrated places in Kigali?
Kigali as a whole is still underrated. People are really surprised by how beautiful this city is when they first visit. It’s not what they had in mind.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Kigali?
Again there is not a right answer. Depends on your lifestyle. You can live with very little if you are willing to let your western lifestyle go. And it can get really really expensive as well. There is no average.
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in your area?
I love small cafes/restaurants that are green and quiet, like Indabo café. Bars change all the time, it’s how Kigali works. One week there is a very popular spot or bar somewhere and next week we go somewhere else.
Can you tell us something else about Kigali that we might not know?
I mentioned already that Rwanda considers gender equality very important, and it’s something people talk about openly. Feminism is mainstream here, and this is something you might not know or expect from a country in the heart of Africa.
Final Thoughts
Is there anything you’d like to share about Rwanda?
The thing the most people know about Rwanda is the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It is a big part of their history, and an open trauma still. If you want to know or understand Rwanda and the country’s path of development, you really need to educate yourself about the Genocide against the Tutsi. Why it happened, what led to it, how to say it properly, what questions to ask and what not to ask, how they made such a huge progress in 30 years.
It is astonishing really, where they were 30 years ago, and where they are today. They put so much work into it.
What are some movies that we could read to learn about Kigali or Rwanda?
You can watch the 600 movie. And stay away from Hotel Rwanda. It is not historically accurate and Rwandans don’t like it.
What do you know about Rwandan music?
I listen to it all the time! It has become part of my playlist. There are so many Rwandan musicians that I love but you could check Meddy who is a very famous one.
How to immigrate to Rwanda (in terms of visas etc)?
As a foreigner, you need to sort out your employment. You can’t just come and stay, you need to have a job or get a visa to look for a job.
What does the future of Kigali or Rwanda look like?
I would say it looks very bright. Rwanda is one of the fastest developing countries in the world.
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Kigali?
Availability of products. No big malls, big chains, a lot of variety. And everything imported comes from very far away so it is very expensive. We adjust, and we also bring as many things as we can when we go back home to visit.
Are there any experiences there that surprised you?
I will share a story about how safe I feel as a woman. When I first arrived in Rwanda, I used to walk around a lot, to get a feeling of the city. One of those days I got caught up in a big storm, and there was no shelter around apart from a small restaurant. Me and about 30 motorbikers (moto – taxis are a very popular way of transportation here), went inside to get away from the rain. I spent about 2 hours in a small space with 30 men, and I felt very relaxed and comfortable. No one bothered me, no one tried to talk to me, I just sat there with my book until the rain passed.
Describe your favorite recreational activities in Kigali.
Kigali is a small city and not that many things to do. I always try to go to exhibitions, concerts and cultural events. Kigali is also a great place for sports, so I work out a lot.
But my favorite thing is to just relax with my book and enjoy the perfect weather. The weather is always amazing, never too hot, never cold.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people in Kigali?
Depends on your personality, and you can meet many expats, the same as in every other country. But generally I would also say that compared to other countries I feel like it is easier here to socialize and be friends with locals. I have more local friends here as opposed to Germany for example, where all of my friends were expats.
Can you tell me something about Rwanda that people might not know?
A very interesting thing is that the sexual pleasure of women is considered very important. This has been in their culture for centuries, where fathers or other older male relatives would educate young boys and men about how important it is to know how to pleasure a woman. A woman’s orgasm is important and expected.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I am expanding! I started organizing trips in Rwanda, and then Uganda. Later Burundi and Zanzibar and recently started organizing trips in Zambia. I am a travel advisor and help people travel independently without fixed packages and big groups, but with my knowledge and support behind.
I want to expand to many more countries slowly, when I feel I am ready and I have the time.
Thank you so much Kelly for sharing your story of moving and living in Kigali! It definitely makes me want to learn more about this country! Actually one of my favorite singers from my childhood, Corneille, has Rwandan origins! Kelly’s IG Here! 🙂
