Accessibility

Navigating Kigali

An Overview of Kigali City:

Streets and public areas are relatively safe in Kigali. The streets have sidewalks though there are few curb cuts making them inaccessible to wheelchair users. We would recommend using a vehicle to move around the city outside of Conference venues.

The streets do not have tactile pathways on the sidewalks to guide people who are Blind or Low Vision. A companion is recommended when walking in the streets.

One of the most visited places in the city is the Memorial Museum, however, it is not accessible for wheelchair users. The museum hall also has a lot of stairs and may be challenging for those with mobility devices. On the other hand, the staff are open to sharing information about the space, and there is an accessible room where one can watch an introductory video to the genocide  the video’s audio is Kinyarwanda and has closed captions in English. Additionally, there is an accessible area where one can enjoy the gardens.

 

At the Kigali International Airport

• Travel Visa: Passport holders from countries that are members of the African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie benefit from a visa waiver which allows for a 30-day Visa issued upon arrival at no cost. If your passport is not issued from any of those countries, your Visa will be issued upon arrival (we highly recommend you to process the visa fee in advance through this link).
• Kigali Airport has an ambulift. If you have mobility difficulties, please ensure that you request any assistance at the airport upon arrival or departure.
• The airport building is relatively flat at the arrival area, however, there are steep ramps at the entrance/exit area, and wheelchair users or those with mobility difficulties may want to request for assistance.
• There are no tactile features for people who are Blind or have low vision, we recommend requesting for support or traveling with an assistant. In case you need assistance, the airport staff are readily available.
• Security checks may include the use of a private space for additional checks, please request it, should you need privacy.

Conference Venues

BK Arena

BK Arena is located at KG 17 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Kigali, Rwanda. It is situated 3kms from the Kigali Convention Center and 5km from the Kigali Airport.

• The space is accessible for wheelchair users, and relatively easy to navigate with good signage to guide you. However, there are no tactile pathways in the venue.
• The Arena is a large space with 60 designated wheelchair spaces along the top row of the first floor seats. There are no barriers at the wheelchair-designated spaces, so access this space with caution. Alternatively, you can use the ground floor entrance.
• The facility has accessible bathrooms on each floor.

Kigali Convention Center (KCC)

The Kigali Convention Centre is located at KG 2 Roundabout, Kigali, Rwanda is located 5 km from the Kigali International Airport (KGL).

• The entrance is accessible, although there are large, carpeted ramps leading to the Auditorium Level from the ground floor. The ramp is quite steep for a wheelchair user. We recommend the use of the elevators that are close by.
• Accessible washrooms are available only on the first floor, so please plan accordingly.
• Designated spaces for wheelchairs are available in the auditorium if required, and additional seating will be reserved for delegates needing accessible viewing for Plenary sessions.
• The KCC does not have tactiles for Blind or Low Vision delegates, so it is recommended that you have a companion to navigate the venue if needed.

Pre-Conference spaces

Marriott Hotel

Kigali Marriott Hotel is located at KN 3 Ave, Kigali, and it is situated 11 Kms from the Kigali International Airport and 5kms from the Kigali Convention Center.

• The hotel entrance is step free. Security checks are performed at the entrance area. If you are a wheelchair user or use mobility devices, the preference is to perform a physical patdown search, if you do not wish to be touched, you can ask the security personnel to use the handheld metal detectors.
• The hotel floors are flat and the meeting rooms are accessible.  The floor at the lobby could be a bit slippery and there are no tactile features. However, the hotel will have a wheelchair at the entrance in case any delegate needs it.
• To access the outdoor terrace area, there is a hydraulic lift for wheelchair users — please request for this at the reception area. There are also accessible bathrooms on opposite ends of the ground floor area, equipped with foldable changing tables for children.
• The elevators are accessible and have audio with alerts to each floor.
• There is an accessible path from the main lobby to the swimming pool area.

Four Points Sheraton

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel, is located at KN 3 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda is situated 11 Kms from the Kigali International Airport and 5kms from the Kigali Convention Center. Despite the hotel being just a few meters from The Marriott, the streets are not accessible as there are no curb cuts on the sidewalks. If you are using a wheelchair or have mobility difficulties, we recommend requesting for transport services.

• The hotel entrance is step free and has a wheelchair at the entrance in case you need it. The floors are accessible for wheelchairs, but may be slippery for someone using mobility devices such as crutches or canes, as there are no tactile pathways.
• There is a security check at the entrance, in case the guards want to perform a physical pat down, you can ask them to use the handheld metal detector, if you prefer not to be touched.
• The hotel has only one accessible washroom on the ground floor, it would be important to plan with this in mind.
• The elevators are accessible and will have audio with alerts to each floor.
• They have an accessible room that is very spacious. However, the public areas such as the swimming pool and the terraces are not accessible for wheelchair users.

Lemigo Hotel

Lemigo Hotel is located at KG 624 St, Kigali, Rwanda is situated 1.3KMs away from the Kigali Convention Centre and 5km from the Kigali International airport.

• The hotel entrance is step free. There is a security check upon entry, in case you do not want a physical pat down, please request the handheld metal detector.
• They will have a wheelchair at the entrance in case you need it. However, please note the lifts are located at the back of the hotel and there is a ramp to access this area.
• There are gaps between the elevator entrance and the floor area that may be a safety hazard for someone using a cane or crutches, please exercise caution.
• For delegates using wheelchairs, accessing the conference area at Lemigo Hotel may be through the staff parking area. There is also a small step that may cause a barrier, one may want to use the alternative route from the outside of the hotel through the parking area and into the conference area. We recommend requesting assistance to navigate this path.
• The breakout conference rooms are carpeted and there are washrooms on the conference rooms floor, however depending on the size of the wheelchair, it may or may not allow complete entry into the toilet.

Kigali Serena Hotel

The Kigali Serena Hotel is located at KN 3 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda is situated 11 Kms from the Kigali International Airport and 5kms from the Kigali Convention Center.

• The hotel entrance is step free. Please expect a security check upon entry, in case you prefer not to undergo a physical pat down, you can request the guards to use the handheld metal detector.
• A wheelchair will be available at the reception area should anyone need it.
• There is a hydraulic lift to go from the ground floor to the top floor, for those that cannot use stairs, please request lift access at the reception.
• The hotel also has ramps and elevators to help access the conference halls.

Ubumwe Hotel

Ubumwe Hotel is located at KN 67 St, Kigali, Rwanda is located 11Kms from the Kigali International Airport and 4 kms from the Kigali Convention Center.

• Hotel entrance is not step free. There is an alternate route for delegates on wheelchairs through the staff entrance. Once inside, the hotel is accessible for wheelchair users.
• There is a security check upon entry, in case you do not want a physical pat down, please request the handheld metal detector.
• A wheelchair shall be available at the reception area during the conference period.
• The conference area is accessible and has a good outdoor area. However, there were no accessible washrooms in the conference floors or restaurant, only on the ground floor.
• The hotel also has 2 accessible rooms on the 8th and 9th floor.

M Hotel

M Hotel is located at KN1 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda is situated 9kms from the Kigali International Airport and 3 kms from the Kigali Convention Center.

• The hotel entrance is step free if using a vehicle, and arriving through the basement area. However, if using public means or walking, there are numerous stairs to navigate through the public access route.
• There is a security check upon entry, in case you do not want a physical pat down, please request the handheld metal detector.
• A wheelchair shall be available at the reception area during the conference period.
• The ramps at the hotel are quite steep for individual use, you may require assistance.
• The conference area and terrace is well accessible, however, the public areas e.g. swimming pool on the ground floor are not accessible for wheelchair users.
• The hotel has accessible elevators, to go from the ground to the conference halls. There are accessible washrooms on each floor.