Moving to Kigali for a new job, a project or a long stay? Furnished apartments in Kigali let you move in with just a suitcase, without buying a fridge, a bed and a sofa in your first week. Tell us your arrival date, length of stay, budget, number of bedrooms and preferred area, and we will look for furnished apartments and fully furnished houses that fit, then arrange viewings or video calls if you are still abroad.
We do not hold furnished units in stock. We search for you each time, so the options you receive are free on your dates.
Who furnished rentals suit
- Expats and diplomats starting a new posting and needing a base while they settle.
- NGO and project staff on contracts of a few months to a year.
- Families relocating who want a furnished home while they look for a long-term house.
- Business travellers and consultants who prefer a kitchen and a living room to a hotel room.
- Rwandans returning from abroad who need a soft landing before buying or building.
What a furnished home costs
Furnished rentals cost noticeably more than unfurnished ones because the landlord has invested in furniture, appliances and often services. Indicative figures as of October 2026:
| Option | Indicative monthly rent | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished 85 m2 flat, normal area | about RWF 738,000 | Expatistan |
| Furnished 85 m2 flat, expensive area | about RWF 1,351,000 | Expatistan |
| Fully furnished apartments, general range | USD 500 to 2,500 | Trek Africa Tours |
The spread is wide because "furnished" ranges from a simple flat with basic furniture to a serviced apartment with cleaning, internet, a gym and a 24 hour reception. Tell us what level you need and we will keep the shortlist inside your budget.
What is usually included
Before you view, we confirm each of these points in writing:
- Furniture and kitchen: beds, sofas, dining table, fridge, cooker, cookware and cutlery.
- Linen and towels: included or not, and how often they are changed.
- Internet: speed and who pays the monthly bill.
- Cleaning: weekly, twice weekly or not at all.
- Utilities: electricity, water and generator fuel included or billed on top.
- Security: guard, gate, cameras and parking.
- Inventory: a signed list of items in the unit, so the deposit is returned fairly when you leave.
Popular areas for furnished rentals
- Kimihurura: central, walkable to cafes and restaurants, close to the Kigali Convention Centre and several ministries.
- Kacyiru and Kiyovu: near embassies, government offices and the city centre.
- Nyarutarama and Gacuriro: quieter, greener, with larger family homes and estates.
- Kibagabaga: residential and close to the International School of Kigali campus, which suits families with children.
- Remera: practical for frequent flyers, on the road towards Kigali International Airport.
Short stay or long lease?
Monthly furnished stays give flexibility but cost more per month. If you know you will stay a year or longer, two options are worth comparing:
- A 12 month furnished lease, which usually brings the monthly rate down.
- An unfurnished lease plus your own furniture. This is often cheaper over time, especially for families. See apartments for rent in Kigali and houses for rent in Kigali.
Tips if you are arranging from abroad
- Ask for a live video walk-through, not only photos.
- Ask the distance and normal drive time to your office or your children's school.
- Confirm the internet speed if you work from home.
- Agree the check-in time and who will meet you with the keys.
- Pay only against a written agreement that names the landlord, the unit, the dates and the deposit terms.
Costs beyond the monthly rent
The headline rent is rarely the full picture. Before you compare two furnished options, ask each landlord for a written breakdown of:
| Cost | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Deposit | How many months, and when and how it is returned after the inventory check. |
| Advance rent | Whether the first month, or several months, must be paid before move in. |
| Electricity | Included, capped, or prepaid by you on the unit's own meter. |
| Water and generator fuel | Included, shared between units, or billed monthly. |
| Internet | Included, and at what speed, or a separate contract in your name. |
| Cleaning and laundry | How many visits per week and whether laundry is part of it. |
| Currency | Rent in Rwandan francs or US dollars, and which exchange rate applies. |
A slightly higher rent that includes power, water, internet and cleaning can work out cheaper than a lower rent with every bill on top. We put each option in the same format so you can compare fairly.
A typical relocation timeline
- Four to six weeks before arrival: send us your dates, budget, bedrooms and areas.
- Two to four weeks before: review the shortlist and join video walk-throughs of the best two or three.
- One to two weeks before: agree terms, sign, and pay the deposit against a written agreement.
- Arrival day: check in, walk through the inventory and take photos of the unit's condition.
- First month: if you plan to stay longer, we can start looking for an unfurnished long-term home while you settle.
How request and match works
- Fill in the form with your dates, budget, bedrooms and areas.
- We search among landlords, building managers and partner agents for units free on your dates.
- We send a shortlist with photos, what is included and the full monthly cost.
- We arrange viewings in person or by video.
- We help you sign and confirm the inventory and deposit terms.
Tell us your dates
Use the form below to tell us when you arrive, how long you are staying and what you need. Choose "Furnished apartment / house" as the property type and add any details, such as a home office, a cot for a baby or parking, in the message box.
Frequently asked questions
What is usually included in a furnished apartment?
Furniture, a fitted kitchen with cookware, bedding and often internet and weekly cleaning. Some include electricity, water and a generator, others bill them separately. We list exactly what is included for each option before you view it.
How much does a furnished apartment cost in Kigali?
As of October 2026, cost of living data puts a furnished 85 square metre flat at about RWF 738,000 per month in a normal area and about RWF 1.35 million in an expensive area. Serviced units in prime locations can cost more.
Can I rent furnished for one or two months?
Many furnished apartments accept monthly stays. Longer leases usually get a lower monthly rate. Tell us your exact dates and we will look for landlords who accept them. Mention if your dates might change.
Do you have furnished houses for families?
We search for fully furnished houses on request in areas such as Nyarutarama, Kibagabaga, Gacuriro and Kimihurura. Availability changes often, so tell us your dates, bedrooms and budget and we will check what is free.
Is a furnished apartment cheaper than a hotel?
For stays of a month or more it usually works out cheaper and gives you a kitchen, more space and a private address. For a few nights a hotel or short let may be simpler. Compare the total monthly cost, including utilities and cleaning, before deciding.
Can my employer sign the lease?
Yes. Many organisations lease homes for their staff. Tell us in the form if the lease and invoices must be in your employer's name, and we will check that the landlord can issue the documents your finance team needs.