Tour overview

Rwanda is blessed with abundant layers of history envisaged through cultural, natural or mixed (natural & cultural) heritage sites. You will visit the famous King's Palace Museum in Nyanza town, and the Ethnographic Museum in Huye district.

Visit the King's Palace Museum in Nyanza and Ethnographic Museum in Huye-Drive back to Kigali

Our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel/residence in Kigali, short briefing about your one day culture and heritage experience tour and then drive to King's Palace Museum in Nyanza Town to learn about Rwanda's rich history and cultural heritage. The drive from Kigali city to Nyanza town is approximately 2 hours.

King's Palace Museum

A reconstruction of the traditional royal residence, the King's Palace is a beautiful-crafted thatched dwelling shaped like beehive. In olden times, Nyanza was the heart of Rwanda, according to oral tradition, it was the site of battles and power struggles. For a long time, the monarchy was mobile, moving the court various locations. When it eventually settled in one place, Nyanza was the obvious choice. The capital of the Kingdom had as many as 2,000 inhabitants, and huts built with the same methods as seen here.

At the back live a few long-horned Inyambo cattle, descended from the King's herd, whose keepers carefully tend and sing to them, keeping alive a unique tradition. The elegant cows, derived the wider Ankole breed, played an important role during ceremonies in honor of the king. They decorated with rich jewellery, and taught to listen to a trainer's songs and follow his movements in a stately parade. Rwanda cased to be a monarchy in 1962, when it gained independence from colonial rule. However, the breeding and grooming of Inyambo is still carried out under the Rwanda and Agriculture Board.
After this amazing experience at King's Palace Museum in Nyanza town, you will drive to Huye and visit the Ethnographic Museum, the drive from Nyanza to Huye is approximately 45 minutes.

Ethnographic Museum

A gift from Belgium's King Badouin in the late 1980s, the Ethnographic Museum now houses one of Africa's finest ethnographic collections. The Ethnographic Museum was previously referred to as the National Museum, and is one of the six museums that make up the Institute of National Museum of Rwanda.
Seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts accompanied by visual aides, giving visitors a rich insight into the Rwandan culture. The exhibits open with geographical and geological displays, moving on to items used in hunting, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, weaving and woodwork. Traditional clothing and architectural methods are also illustrated, as well as the social importance cattle. The final room reveals tradition customs and beliefs, history, culture, poetry and oral tradition and cosmology. There's also a highly regarded craft centre on site.

After experiencing the Ethnographic Museum, you will have your lunch at Hotel Ibis, and later drive back to Kigali city, straight to your hotel/residence or to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Tour inclusions;

• Ground transportation
• An English-speaking driver-guide
• Entrance fees at King's Palace and Ethnographic Museums
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during the tour
• Lunch with soft drink
• Our assistance

Tour exclusions

• Visa
• International air to/from Rwanda
• Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, lodge/hotel staff
• Drinks throughout the trip
• Personal expenses such as telephone cells, travel insurance, etc.

What to wear

Casual clothing is suitable for this tour.