Private Tour

Millennium Village Bugesera The Reconciliation Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

French

7 hours

Mobile ticket

The UN Millennium Villages Project is probably the most famous and most comprehensive development initiative of our time. It was designed to lift some of the world’s poorest areas out of extreme poverty. Our Millennium Village Tour gives answers to those visitors who want to know more about the challenges that so many African communities face, and teaches a variety of interventions that have proven to be successful in the fight against poverty.

A truly educational experience, the tour touches on topics such as sustainable agriculture, education, health care, infrastructure, micro-enterprise development as well as peace building and reconciliation, while offering opportunities to authentically experience aspects of the local culture, including food, language and traditions. Guided in part by local inhabitants, the tour offers very personal insights into the lives of the villagers while ensuring that the community and the individuals involved in tourism benefit from the initiative.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The 1hr 15 minutes extra covers for the transportation to and from Kigali to Bugesera. Its 30 minutes to and 30 minutes back. The 15 minutes is the time it takes between the first stop, Ntarama Genocide Memorial and the reconciliation village. All other activities take place at the reconciliation village in Mbyo.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Bottled Water

You will be hosted with one of the locals for lunch in one of their homes after a cooking lesson

Entry/Admission - Nyamata Church

Guiding fees and Tour Guide

Peace basket (gift)

Contribution to community development fund

Local banana wine

Private Transportation

Airport parking fees, incase of delayed flights. We cover the first 30 minutes only, it costs $2/hr

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Nyamata Church

After a 40-minute drive from Kigali and an introduction to the MVP, you start your excursion with a visit to the nearby genocide memorial site where you can gain a better understanding of the historical and cultural context within which Rwanda’s development challenges arise. The red-brick church at Nyamata is peacefully situated, shadowed by acacia trees. Nyamata Church, however, is the site where some of the most brutal killings of the 1994 genocide took place. The church was seen as a safe place by almost 5,000 people, many of whom were women and children seeking sanctuary. But Ntarama was not safe at all. The victims of the genocide remain there, their bones still strewn with lifeless chaos where they fell in 1994. Their belongings cover the floor: clothes, suitcases, a child's white sock – the last remnants of a desperate flight for life.

45 minutes • Admission Included

Following your visit to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, you'll have the opportunity to engage in a series of enriching experiences showcasing various MVP interventions. These activities are only paused for a locally prepared lunch, hosted in a village home, where you can immerse yourself in the area's traditional cuisine. You may even participate in cooking lessons, learning to prepare local dishes, and enjoy lively, thought-provoking conversations with your hosts over lunch. After lunch you will meet women from three recognized handicraft associations. Some of its members will introduce the complete basket weaving process to you and are glad to also teach their skills if you are interested. You further have the opportunity to support this valuable initiative by buying a few products on offer, and you will also receive a traditional gift from the women. 246 women between the ages of 19-76 directly benefit from this project by producing about 45 items per week.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Millennium Village Bugesera The Reconciliation Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

4.88

16 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great Tour! Highly Reccomended!
shigetsus2023,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour itself was great and a very big learning experience. All the tour guides were professional and the people in the village were friendly. This is a once in a life time experience and I hugely recommend for you to attend this tour!!!
Transformative experience!
Kelly A,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This experience was transformational. To sit across from people who have intimately experienced the Rwanda Genocide from both sides is a rare opportunity. The people in the village are so loving, kind, and inspiring. I learned so much about forgiveness, unity, and resilience. And my tour guide, Florence, and driver, Pacifique, were both wonderful. They helped me feel respected, safe, and did a great job translating my words to the village members. Florence also provided excellent historical context so that I could better understand the conflict and aftermath. Would highly recommend!
Very worthwhile and transformative. It was much more than just history of past and view of the present, so much more.
Passenger30864997844,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very in depth experience both in the retelling of the events and the personal expressions of what was experienced during and following the events of the dark times of Rwanda. Also a delightful experience of learning more about village life and recovery and healing.
Rwanda’s Story for the World
tripstermob1,
Jul 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An extraordinary story of genocide and reconciliation in Rwanda. Rwandans are visionary. And lovely hosts. We made meals and broke bread with the perpetrators and survivors of an historical atrocity who reconciled and live together now . Very moving.
Over the top!!
Tom N,
Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Florence was an excellent tour guide and she was actually early to pick me up and I was so grateful for that. She was so kind, courteous and so knowledgeable of this whole area!! I would definitely book with you again and ask for her as my tour guide!! I was so fortunate that I was the only tourist yesterday as I had her utmost and independent attention!! Thank you!! Tom Neuberger
Reconciliation
carolannm279,
Jul 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
A great day to gain an understanding of how the country and people have successfully worked to unite their country and heal the genocide wounds.
Life changing and memorable experience.
315leighar,
Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The people were absolutely inspirational, friendly, and very accommodating. We cook together and enjoy each other‘s company. You felt like part of their family. It was a learning experience that we will never forget. The historical information about the genocide was life-changing. You heard about all sides of the occurrence firsthand.
Nyamata Genocide Memorial and Reconciliation Community
Relax14758328666,
Jun 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Florence was a wonderful guide, and we learned so much from the survivors and perpetrators stories. Learning about the culture and how they live in the reconciliation community together, peacefully, was powerful.
Reconciliation Village Tour, Bugesera.
Tor U,
Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Listen and experience forgiveness from citizens in Reconciliation Village, Bugesera, recount their personal journeys and their parts in the Rwanda Genocide. It is deeply moving hearing from all sides who played parts in Rwanda’s tragic genocide. Those people, now citizens of the village, recounted how they’ve been able to commit to lives of forgiveness in their village and now pull together. This tour is about hope springing from unimaginable pain and tragedy.
Visit and be inspired by people living in peace.
Seaside674512,
Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The people who live in this reconciliation village are very welcoming. Listening to the stories of those who lived through the genocide of 1994 was inspiring. This very successful project helped and continues to help people overcome trauma and learn to ask for forgiveness or learn to forgive. They have kind and peaceful community leaders. We were invited into homes and gardens and kitchens and enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal of traditional Rwandan food. Our guides/translators made everything comfortable for us. I learned so much about the history of Rwanda. The most important lesson I learned is that people can overcome a terrible time and live together in peace, building a new community for the betterment of all. Highly recommended!