Kimironko Market In Kigali : Rwanda is known for its lively, colorful and unusual market places. Kimironko market which is found in Kigali is the busiest market within the town. Locals from all over the city and the nearby communities come here to stock up on vegetables, fruits, clothing, fabrics, shoes and general household necessities. Vendors sell produce from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo and it’s the best place to see Rwanda at its liveliness.
The lively kimironko market is established in a sprawling warehouse complex with four equal-sized entrances. The main entrance to the market is where the household products and plastic buckets of all shapes and sizes are sold and next to the kimironko bus station. The entrance on the right side of the market houses the colourful kitenges fabric whereas the entry on the left has the butchers and fishermen who sell meat and fish from lakes. The other entrance goes immediately to the market where they sell second hand clothes.
Kimironko market within Kigali city is the busiest within the early afternoon when sellers have just arrived and they are showing their goods for sale. Therefore Mondays and Saturdays are the busiest days of the week as well as Sunday is known for being the slowest due to many merchants having a day off. The kimironko bus park is the major public transportation destinations within Kigali which makes it easy to get to and from. Buses from all around the city transport are eager to transport people from the market gates whereas motorcycle taxis and ordinary taxis wait for overburdened shoppers to hire them for a ride home.
On entering the main market gates opposite the bus park, as you turn right and head to the distant market walls. Rows and rows of beautiful kitenge cloth are hawked on stalls from all over Africa and countries such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Democratic republic of Congo, Tanzania, Cote D’ivoire and many more are represented. This kind of cloth is traditionally sold by women and in case you purchase one the sales people will refer you to a seamstress on the kitenge outskirts. These expert tailors are constantly available and happy to manufacture kitenges apparel or accessories in a timely and cost effective manner. Prices are adjustable throughout the market and when haggling, keep patient, cool and steady to receive the greatest offers. As you cut a straight line from the kitenge vendors and seamstresses to the far left corner of the market. The narrow lanes are packed with used clothing and tourists things, shoes, and a hardware store before the market opens up into a sprawling fresh produce bazaar.
Within the black booths, endless potatoes that are still caked in earth and heaped high. Shopping is a fine art form as carrots, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant are perfectly packed. On the other end of the complex, you will find juicy mangoes, little bananas, passion fruits and tomatoes with avocados. Melons and pumpkins are trucked in from Uganda and giant green plantains.
Oil, spices, garlic and fresh ginger are sold in neat piles in the front end of the market towards the bus station. The egg area is in the left corner and the women selling eggs are have been in the market for so many years. Eggs within the market are sold all around the city and its environs with a cost depending on the location of the birds and the size of the egg.
The beef department is found in the left side of the entry wall and is lined with frozen fish as well as dried tilapia and isambaza right across the road and the stacks of lush green vegetables. The butchers are dressed in white gowns and wield knives with professional power.
Although the market is small, it is simple to explore because the goods sold are clearly organized by type and location. Due to the dizzying assortment of sights, noises and scents of kimironko market makes it over whelming and thus a must visit while on a safari in Rwanda.