It’s here! At long last! An epic, updated article about swimming pools in Kigali… just in time for the end of the dry season. Oops. Ah well… even during rainy season, the days under the Kigali sun can sometimes become unbearably hot, and when those dust clouds hit as this year’s dry season comes to a close, nothing will refresh you quite like a day at the pool. Luckily for us, Kigali is loaded with great options for pools that satisfy all of our possible pool-y needs like swimming laps, chilling and tanning, or fun for the family. I’ve put in some serious moto miles zipping all around the city to check out all of the pools I know about. There are a few I still need to get to (you’ll see them plotted on the map at the bottom of the article but I still need to visit to get the details) so stay tuned as this list will expand as I venture to the farther-flung areas of the city with the missing pools. Since this article is somewhat ridiculously long, below is a summary of what I think are the best swimming pools in Kigali for various purposes. Read on for all of the details and photos. Enjoy! Best Swimming Pools in Kigali for Laps Cercle Sportif Great Seasons Hotel Hotel Des Mille Collines La Palisse Nyarutarama Sports Club Sportsview Hotel Umubano Hotel Best Swimming Pools in Kigali Drinking, Tanning, and Chilling Gorillas Golf Hotel Grand Legacy Hotel Great Seasons Hotel Hotel Des Mille Collines Hotel Villa Portofino Lemigo Hotel Manor Hotel Park Inn Pili Pili Rubangura Apartments (Waka Fitness) Serena Hotel Ubumwe Grande Umubano Hotel Best Swimming Pools in Kigali for Families Cercle Sportif La Palisse Le Sanitas Mamba Club Nyarutarama Sports Club Pili Pili Sportsview Umubano Hotel Cercle Sportif Price: Adults Rwf 3,000 / Children Rwf 1,500 Hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm Phone: 0794 695 900 On weekends and during school holidays, the pool at Cercle Sportif is definitely a place for families with young children, and they’re the only place in town that has a diving board and a slide! If you’re someone who wants to use the pool for laps, it’s a great choice but be aware of when the kiddies may be there. They don’t allow kids after 5pm and the pool is open until 9pm and lit, so if you want some peace and quiet, evening swims are an option here. Take note that if you have long hair they’ll ask you to wear a swimming cap. Their changing facilities have cold showers only and they don’t provide towels so bring your own. The best thing about visiting Cercle Sportif are the beef brochettes. Cheap and delicious! The worst thing about spending a day here, is that you can’t spend it laying down because they don’t have lounge chairs. This is a pool for serious swimmers and not really the sort of place you’ve come to lounge around and tan. They do have plenty of tables around the pool and lots of shady areas. Plus there are loads of other things to do on the grounds of the Cercle Sportif complex and it’s a great location for a family outing. Gorillas Golf Hotel Price: Adults Rwf 6,000 / Children Rwf 5,000 Hours: Daily, 24 Hours Phone: 0788 174 000 / 0788 200 500 Website: http://www.gorillashotels.com Gorillas Golf Hotel in Nyarutarama definitely gets the prize for the most creatively-shaped pool. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a double circle pool in my life but it does the trick! It’s difficult to tell if the middle section is low enough down to be able to swim laps across it, though. But if you’re more interested in lounging than laps, there are a few chairs scattered around and the pool rarely seems to be too busy. Your admission fee gets you access to changing facilities with showers and towels as well and there’s a bar/restaurant to keep you well-stocked with food and drinks throughout the day. Grand Legacy Hotel Price: Adults Rwf 4,000 / Children Rwf 3,000 Hours: Daily, 6am – 7pm Phone: 0788 303 483 Website: http://grandlegacy.rw This large and relatively new hotel is located beyond Remera as you drive out towards the airport. It’s pool is smallish but there was a guy there attempting laps when I arrived so it’s possible! There are five padded lounge chairs with a couple of umbrellas for shade and the pool is surrounded by tables. The hotel’s restaurant is off to one side of the pool which might be good if you like chilling and eating but it could also make you feel a bit on display if the restaurant is busy. I’d recommend this pool if you live in the area as there aren’t a lot of other options around, but I wouldn’t make the trip across town to go here if you’re close to another pool. Towels are included in the price and they have hot showers and a changing area. Great Seasons Hotel Price: Adults Rwf 3,000 / Children Rwf 2,000 Hours: Daily, 7am – 7pm Phone: 0783 814 000 / 0788 308 970 Website: http://greatseasonshotel.rw I feel like this place is a bit of a hidden gem. The price is quite good and the pool is large enough for laps and hasn’t been busy any of the few times I’ve stopped by. Add in six padded lounge chairs and a bar right next to the pool and we have a great place to suntan with a drink in hand or to do laps if you prefer. There are lots of tables scattered around and plenty of shade. They also have a spa on site if you want to pamper yourself a bit while you’re there. If you live in the Gacuriro area I’d recommend giving this place a try for a day at the pool. Towels (and slippers!) are provided and they have hot showers. Highlands Suites Hotel Price: Rwf 3,000 Hours: [...]
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