When I arrived in Kigali, I didn’t know what to expect — but what I found was a clean, welcoming city with a surprisingly passionate tennis scene. Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, turned out to be one of the cleanest, safest, and most well-maintained cities I’ve visited anywhere in the world. And for tennis players? It’s a hidden gem.
During my time in Rwanda, I discovered three main tennis facilities: Cercle Sportif de Kigali, Nyarutarama Sports Centre, and Makutano Resort. There may be others, but these three stood out in terms of accessibility, quality, and vibe.
A nice touch — every time I booked a court, ball boys were offered as a reasonable addition, which made the rhythm of play smoother and more enjoyable. Below is a breakdown of each club, followed by a short FAQ about playing tennis in Rwanda.
Cercle Sportif de Kigali
- Location: Kiyovu neighborhood (central)
- Courts: 6 courts + hitting wall
- Other perks: Racquet restringing, swimming pool, gym, restaurant, sports fields
This is Kigali’s largest and most well-rounded tennis club. It has more of a “country club” vibe and attracts players of all ages and levels. I found several coaches and hitting partners available here — no need to book far in advance.
Be aware though, the front desk was hesitant to let me into the facility as a visitor without a membership. Without much effort I was able to convince them by stating that I was eager to speak with and potentially hire a tennis coach. Once inside, there were many hitting partners available to play with and I was able to play no problem.
Nyarutarama Sports Centre
- Courts: 3 clay courts
- Other facilities: Small café/restaurant, racquet restringing
- Extras: One pickleball court (rare for the region)
This club sits in an upscale residential area, popular with expats. It’s a quiet, scenic place to hit — and one of the few in Kigali that currently has a dedicated pickleball court. The main court, is on the same side of the street as the club entrance and security. The other two courts are on the opposite side of the street, along with the pickleball court.
The Nyarutarama area is the part of Kigali I’d most recommend for visitors. It’s quieter, less hectic, and very walkable — all while feeling extremely safe (though honestly, all of Kigali felt safe). I really enjoyed my time there.
Makutano Resort Tennis Courts
- Courts: 4 clay courts
- Location: Entrance off KG 328 Street (not easy to find — follow the road even when it curves sharply)
Makutano is the most hidden of the three. It has little online presence and didn’t even show up on Google Maps when I first visited. That said, the facilities were solid, and it felt more off-the-grid compared to the other two clubs.
Finding the entrance is tricky because there are two KG 328 streets that run perpendicular to each other. On one of them, there is a large metal gate that slides open, and the courts can be found about 50 meters once inside.
FAQs About Playing Tennis in Kigali
Is there pickleball in Kigali?
Yes — Nyarutarama Sports Centre has one dedicated pickleball court. It’s the only one I saw during my visit, but interest in the sport is growing globally.
Do I need to bring my own racquet and balls?
If possible, yes. Coaches often have spare racquets, but quality can vary. Balls are usually included for hitting sessions, though, I found that most of the time, expect the balls to be old and worn. If you’re picky, pack your own.
How do I find someone to play with?
The easiest way is to show up at one of the clubs and hire a hitting partner or coach. For example, at Cercle Sportif de Kigali, there were 5+ coaches hanging out on standby.
At Makutano, I had a great experience with a coach named Moses — very consistent, very friendly. You can reach him by email (replace at and dot accordingly): byiringiromoses37 [at] gmail [dot] com
How much does it cost to play tennis in Kigali?
To keep this guide evergreen, I won’t list exact prices because they can change quickly. That said, I discovered that tennis in Kigali is very affordable by Western standards. When I visited:
- A hitting partner/coach was around $10 USD per hour
- Court rental was around $3–5 USD, often with balls included
- Racquet rental may cost extra, if available
- Ball boys for one hour were around $2–4 USD
Prices may fluctuate, but overall — it’s a great value.
Final Thoughts
Kigali may not be on every tennis tourist’s radar, but it absolutely should be. With friendly locals, low prices, and a clean, peaceful setting, it’s one of the most underrated tennis destinations I’ve visited. Whether you’re living in Rwanda or just passing through, these three clubs are worth checking out — racquet in hand.