About this experience
1 Full day culture & heritage experience, make you learn Rwandan's history and culture in details. You will be able to visit the King’s Palace Museum which based in Nyanza District, Southern Province 88 Km from Kigali city; King’s Mutara III Rudahigwa’s palace offers a detailed look into the Rwanda monarchial system and its abolition in early 1960s due to colonialism.
You will also visit the Ethnographic Museum. This Museum was built in 1987, and now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, Artistic and Archaeological artifacts accompanied by visual aides, giving visitors a rich insight into the culture of Rwandans.
At a glance
- Duration: 10 hr 30 min
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 10 hr 30 min for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- All museum entrance fees, Lunch with soft drink, Full time English or French specking driver-guide, Ground transportation, Mineral water, and taxes.
Not included
- All items not specifically listed under the inclusions.
Itinerary and highlights
Our driver guide will pick you from your hotel in Kigali at 08h00 am, short briefing about your tour and then drive to King's Palace Museum in Nyanza town, Southern Province of Rwanda (the drive lasts 2h30).
A reconstruction of the traditional royal residence, the King's Palace Museum is a beautifully crafted thatched dwelling shaped like a 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 between various locations. When it eventually settled in one place, Nyanza was the obvious choice. The capital of the Kingdom has 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.
Rwanda ceased to be a monarchy in 1962, when it gained independence.
After an amazing experience at King's Palace Museum in Nyanza town, you will drive 30 minutes to Butare and visit the Ethnographic Museum.
A gift from Belgium’s King Baudouin in the late 1980s, the Ethnographic Museum now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artifacts 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 of cattle. The final room reveals traditional customs and beliefs, history, culture, poetry and oral tradition and cosmology.
After this amazing experience, you will have lunch at Ibis restaurant. Thereafter, drive back to Kigali.
Meeting and pickup information
- We provide pick-up services from all hotels in Kigali for our valued clients.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- French — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Vazquez Tours & Travel Ltd
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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