Wheelchair-Friendly Adventures in Kigali!

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Why Visit?

Discover Kigali: A Wheelchair-Friendly Journey Through Memory and Culture

Begin your tour at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an essential visit that offers both a somber reflection on Rwanda"s turbulent history and a message of hope. Located in Gisozi, the memorial is fully accessible, with ramps and paved pathways allowing smooth navigation for wheelchairs and scooters.

Getting There

The easiest way to reach the memorial is by taxi, which can be arranged with wheelchair-accessible services. Ensure you request a vehicle suitable for your mobility needs. Upon arrival, there are designated parking spots near the entrance for easy access.

Touring the Memorial

Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, the Kigali Genocide Memorial welcomes visitors to learn about the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. The exhibition areas are thoughtfully laid out with wide aisles for accessibility. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, offering an enriching experience as you move through the exhibits at your own pace.

Interesting Fact

The memorial is also a final resting place for over 250,000 victims of the genocide, making it a poignant site of remembrance and reflection.

Lunch Break

For lunch, dine at one of Kigali’s nearby accessible restaurants such as Heaven Restaurant, which is renowned for its beautiful garden setting and offers ramp access.

Post-Lunch Visit

Round off your day with a visit to the nearby Kandt House Museum. Located about 10 minutes’ drive from the memorial, this house-turned-museum, dedicated to Richard Kandt, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda, offers insights into Rwanda"s natural history. It is mostly accessible, with some assistance required to navigate certain areas.

Return Journey

Conclude your tour by arranging for your taxi pick-up at the Kandt House Museum, making for a seamless and enriching cultural experience in Kigali.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.

Volcanoes National Park

Why Visit?

Wheelchair-Friendly Tour of Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Begin your adventure at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, accessible from Highway 11. Here, you can explore the exhibits and watch an informative film about the park"s volcanic activity, all in an accessible venue. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available.

Day 2: Crater Rim Drive Tour

Start at the easily navigable Kīlauea Overlook for a breathtaking view of the Kīlauea caldera and Halema‘uma‘u crater. The overlook offers paved, flat paths suitable for wheelchairs and scooters. Continue to the Steam Vents, where ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks, creating clouds of steam—paths here are mostly level and manageable.

Day 3: Chain of Craters Road

Drive the scenic Chain of Craters Road, a descent from lush rainforests to the stark, lunar landscapes of the coast, with several stops at accessible overlooks. Don’t miss the Holei Sea Arch lookout, where you can view a natural rock arch formed by the ocean’s erosive power, with accessible viewing platforms.

Day 4: Devastation Trail

Explore the Devastation Trail, a paved path that showcases the impact of Kīlauea’s 1959 eruption. The trail is flat and well-maintained, perfect for wheelchairs and scooters, and offers interpretive signs that tell the story of the area’s recovery.

Day 5: Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku)

Visit the Thurston Lava Tube, where a portion of the trail and entrance to the tube is wheelchair accessible. Immerse yourself in this unique geological formation, where lava once flowed thousands of years ago.

Tips

- Rent a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for ease of travel within the park.

- Check current conditions and accessibility updates on the park"s website or at visitor centers.

This itinerary combines the thrill of volcanic landscapes with the ease of accessible facilities, ensuring a memorable and comfortable experience for all.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.