Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park

Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park is a former degraded wetland on Kigali's eastern side that has been restored into a public nature park. It covers about 121 hectares, roughly 70 of them wetland and 50 of forest, and opened to the public on 8 July 2022 after six years of work led by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and funded through the Rwanda Green Fund with international partners.

The park has about 10km of walkways and bike lanes, with viewing points and picnic areas along the way. There are five catchment ponds and three recreation ponds, a medicinal plant garden, a garden known as the Pope's Garden and a restored native fig forest. Around 17,000 trees from 55 indigenous species were planted, and the government reports more than 100 bird species, which makes early mornings rewarding for birdwatchers.

It works well for families and for anyone who wants a break from traffic: the paths are paved and level, so walking, jogging and cycling are easy, and guided tours are offered for those who want to learn about the plants and wildlife. An information centre and a restaurant are on site, so you can make a half day of it.

When it opened, the government published hours of 6am to 6pm, seven days a week; the park is now managed day to day by QA Venue Solutions, the company that also runs BK Arena, which shares visitor updates on its social media, so check there for current hours and any entry charge before you go. Bring sun protection and water, as there is limited shade on the wetland sections.

The project is also notable as an example of how Kigali is trying to reverse damage to its wetlands: the government reports that it created around 4,000 green jobs during construction. Information boards and the visitor centre explain the restoration for those who want to understand the background.

Nyandungu lies between Gasabo and Kicukiro districts on the eastern side of the city, towards the airport, so it is best reached by taxi or ride-hailing car. Allow one to three hours depending on whether you walk a short loop or explore most of the network. It pairs well with a visit to the Rwanda Art Museum in Kanombe on the same side of the city.