How many Genocide Memorials are in Rwanda? Rwanda is home to over 240 genocide memorials spread across the country, and each preserves the memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Among these, eight major memorials have been officially recognized as national sites, namely: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Nyamata, Ntarama, Bisesero, Murambi, Nyanza, Nyarubuye, and Rebero Genocide Memorials. This reflects both the scale of loss, as well as the country’s commitment to remembrance, education, and resilience. This guide will provide information on the locations of the 8 major Genocide Memorials in Rwanda, their history , and their significance.
The 8 Main Genocide Memorials in Rwanda
Kigali Genocide Memorial (Gisozi)
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the most important of all genocide memorials in Rwanda. Located in Gisozi, Kigali, it is the national site of remembrance where more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi are laid to rest. The memorial combines burial grounds with powerful exhibits that explain the history of the genocide, survivor stories, and Rwanda’s recovery. A special section is dedicated to children who lost their lives. As one of the central Rwanda genocide memorials, it plays a vital role in education, research, and reconciliation. Visitors can explore both indoor and outdoor exhibits, making it a must-see site for understanding Rwanda’s past. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on public holidays.
Nyamata Genocide Memorial
The Nyamata Genocide Memorial, in Bugesera District, is one of the most moving church-based genocide memorials in Rwanda. Over 45,000 people were killed here inside the Catholic church where they had sought refuge. The site preserves victims’ clothing, rosaries, and identity cards, making history visible and personal. Underground crypts house the remains of the victims, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere. This memorial site in Rwanda highlights how spaces of worship became scenes of mass violence, showing the deep betrayal felt during the 1994 genocide. As part of the wider network of Rwanda genocide memorials, Nyamata is a place of both mourning and learning. It is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Ntarama Genocide Memorial
Ntarama Genocide Memorial, also in Bugesera, is another church memorial that represents the tragedy of the 1994 genocide. More than 5,000 people were murdered here after seeking safety within the church walls. Today, the building has been preserved with bloodstains, bullet holes, and victims’ personal belongings still on display. Like Nyamata, Ntarama is one of the most haunting genocide memorials in Rwanda, where visitors can clearly see how everyday life and sacred spaces were torn apart. It is part of the nationwide effort to ensure remembrance and education through Rwanda genocide memorial sites. The memorial is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Murambi Genocide Memorial
Murambi Genocide Memorial is one of the largest and most educational genocide memorials in Rwanda. Found near Butare in Southern Province, it is located on the grounds of a former technical school where thousands of Tutsi were deceived into gathering and then massacred. Today, mass graves remain, and preserved bodies are displayed to show the shocking scale of the violence. Murambi is particularly important for students, researchers, and international visitors who want to learn deeply about the history of the genocide. As one of Rwanda’s key memorials, it provides a clear understanding of both tragedy and the need for peacebuilding. Murambi is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Bisesero Genocide Memorial
The Bisesero Genocide Memorial, located in Karongi District in Western Province, is unique among genocide memorials in Rwanda. Unlike many other sites, Bisesero also remembers resistance. Thousands of Tutsi fled into the hills and fought against their attackers for weeks before being overwhelmed. The memorial includes nine structures, each symbolizing one of the area’s communities. Bisesero shows both the courage of those who resisted and the massive scale of loss. As one of the most historically rich Rwanda genocide memorials, it captures both tragedy and bravery. The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial
The Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial, in Kirehe District, is another church site among Rwanda’s genocide memorials. Here, thousands were killed after seeking refuge in the Catholic church. Visitors can still see clothing, belongings, and preserved evidence of the massacre. The site is deeply moving because it reflects how widespread the violence was, reaching rural communities far from Kigali. Nyarubuye stands as a reminder of the suffering in Eastern Rwanda, while being part of the larger network of genocide memorials in Rwanda that educate and honor victims. The memorial is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Rebero Genocide Memorial
Rebero Genocide Memorial in Kigali is one of the most significant genocide memorials in Rwanda because it honors political leaders, intellectuals, and community figures targeted during the genocide. More than 14,000 victims are buried here, making it both a resting place and a symbol of the leadership and knowledge Rwanda lost. Rebero helps visitors understand how the genocide destroyed not only families but also the voices that could have guided the country’s future. As one of the key Rwanda genocide memorial sites, it contributes to remembrance and national healing. The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Gisenyi Genocide Memorial
The Gisenyi Genocide Memorial in Rubavu District, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the quieter genocide memorials in Rwanda. About 12,000 victims from the northern region are buried here. The site includes a cemetery and small exhibits, helping visitors connect with the stories of those killed in this part of the country. Its border location also reminds people of the mass displacement during the genocide. Although less visited than Kigali or Murambi, Gisenyi is an important part of the network of Rwanda genocide memorials that ensure the entire nation’s losses are remembered. The memorial is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Why Visiting Genocide Memorials Matters
Visiting genocide memorials in Rwanda allows you to remember the past while gaining a deeper understanding of the country’s history and recovery. These sites show the human cost of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and provide space to reflect on the lives lost and the communities affected. They also highlight Rwanda’s journey of reconciliation, unity, and progress in the decades since.
At Beyond Kigali Tours, we ensure that, whenever possible, our tours involve a cultural stop at a national Genocide Memorial, to commemorate and honor the lives lost. possible, For travelers, these memorials are more than historical stops. They offer a meaningful way to connect with Rwanda on a personal level and to witness the resilience and determination of its people. Experiencing them can change how you see the country and its story, turning a visit into a reflective and transformative part of your trip.
Also See: Kigali Belgian Memorial Camp
Rwanda Reconcilliation Village
