Looking for a weekend getaway that connects you with Rwanda’s history and vibrant culture? From museums and royal palaces to sacred forests and community tourism sites, the country is full of places that offer both education and adventure. ALSO READ: 10 places that hold the beauty and history of Rwanda Here are some cultural spots worth paying a visit: Ethnographic museum If you are curious about how ancient Rwandan people lived, this is your go to place. Holding over 10,000 artefacts, makes it one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Once Rwanda’s National Museum, the Ethnographic Museum is now one of the eight national museums. It is located in Huye district in the Southern Province, about 132 kilometers from the capital, Kigali. Aline Uwayishimira, a 23-year-old student from Rulindo, shared her experience visiting the Ethnographic Museum in Huye. “The museum is a valuable center of Rwandan culture, offering insight into how people lived in ancient times. During my visit, I learned about traditional instruments that are no longer commonly used, such as isinde, which was a tool used for covering oneself when it rained. It was mainly used by shepherds because it was a heavy item. Nowadays, isinde can be compared to an umbrella that someone uses during rain or strong sunshine,” she said. With various galleries that display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artefacts, the museum also offers hands-on experience in weaving, beading, ceramics and postcards. From geographical and geological displays, the exhibits also showcase items used in hunting, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, weaving and woodwork. ALSO READ: Why every Rwandan should visit cultural museums “The museum is very affordable, with entry fees starting at just Rwf 2,000 for Rwandan nationals and Rwf 10,000 for international visitors,” said Jean D’Arc Murekambanze, a staff member at the Ethnographic Museum. Nyanza King’s palace Shaped like a traditional beehive, the King’s palace is a beautiful reconstruction of the traditional royal residence located in Nyanza district, a place known to be the heart of Rwanda, a site of battles and power struggles according to the oral tradition. Even though the Rwandan monarchy was mobile, moving the court for a long time, it eventually settled in Nyanza with 2,000 inhabitants and huts built in the same beehive shape style. According to Isidore Ndikumana, a manager at the Kings' Palace Museum, its unique cultural experiences are what make it stand out among other museums in Rwanda. “One of the cultural experience’s visitors can enjoy at the museum is learning about the life of Rwandan kings before colonization. Talking of what makes the museum unique; it is the only museum in Rwanda that highlights the pre-colonial royal way of life, including the significance of royal cows and other cultural symbols,” he said. “It offers a rich and educational experience for anyone interested in Rwanda’s heritage, making it an ideal weekend destination.” Largely known for having the descendants of the royal herd ‘Inyambo’, the palace has a lot more to offer for everyone wishing to pay a visit, from learning how the elegant cows from the Ankole breed were taught to parade to the trainer’s song, to learning more about how Rwanda’s monarchy operated and how it was removed from the leading system to adapt democracy. ALSO READ: Importance of taking children to museums Nkotsi na Bikara forest (Former king’s coronation site) Nkotsi na Bikara, also known as Buhanga forest, is the place to go if you are looking for an escape that blends nature with history. This serene 11-hectare forest is not just a green getaway; it is the only site where Rwanda’s kings were crowned. Here, you will find ‘Iriba rya Bikara,’ a spring once used to purify kings before their enthronement, and traces of ancient rituals performed by the royal guardians known as Abiru. The forest also holds fascinating landmarks, like the remains of a king’s traditional house and the mysterious ‘Tree of Unity,’ where three different trees grow from one trunk symbolizing Rwanda’s harmony before colonial times. Beyond the history, Buhanga offers a peaceful natural setting with rare tree species and quiet walking trails, making it both a cultural and eco-tourism gem for a visitor. Ibere rya Bigogwe In the heart of Nyabihu District lies ‘Ibere rya Bigogwe’, a community-based tourism site that blends breathtaking landscapes with rich cultural traditions. Surrounded by rolling green hills and endless pastures, the area is famous for its cattle-keeping heritage, which still shapes everyday life in Rwanda. Visitors can take part in unique experiences such as milking cows at sunrise, tasting fresh fermented milk, ‘ikivuguto’, or joining locals around the fire for stories that carry wisdom and humor passed down through generations. The site also offers hiking opportunities across the scenic Bigogwe highlands and for those who love photography, the views of cattle grazing against the backdrop of volcanic mountains create unforgettable shots. Musanze caves Musanze caves are one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in Rwanda, offering underground adventure. These ancient lava tunnels were formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago and provide a unique opportunity to explore Rwanda’s geological history. Tourists can walk through dark passages lined with stalactites and stalagmites, guided by experts who explain the caves’ significance. Among the best tourist attractions in Rwanda, Musanze caves deliver a combination of history, mystery, and adventure. Exploring these hidden wonders allows visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of Rwanda’s rich volcanic landscape and natural formations. Rwanda liberation museum Located in Gicumbi District, the museum's exhibition presents the struggle for liberation of Rwanda by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, RPF/RPA - Inkotanyi. The museum illustrates the sequence of events before, during, and after the struggle. One of the objects exhibited is the indake, bunkers, used by the RPA Chairman of High Command, now President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. The Museum has different houses including the Arusha House RPF used in preparation of Arusha peace Agreement. Notable exhibits include the bunker that sheltered then-Chairman of the RPA high command, now the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. Other special items are Arusha House, Ladies House, different grounds especially football ground where APR FC was started in 1993. Museum guide Alphonsine Mukamana, noted how the museum in Gicumbi plays a key role in educating the youth about Rwanda’s recent history and national identity. “Rwanda Liberation Museum offers visitors, especially the youth, a powerful connection to the country’s recent history and national identity. The museum shows how young people, the RPF/RPA at that time, driven by strong values and goals, endured hardship to free the nation,” she said. Kwigira Museum Located in Nyanza district in southern province about 85 kilometres from Kigali, the museum showcases a collection of images and texts that explain in detail home grown initiatives which contributed to the rebuilding and revival of the nation and highlight the resilient history of Rwanda. ALSO READ: New ‘Kwigira’ Museum unveiled in Nyanza Kwigira, meaning self-reliance, was originally built to serve as the new royal palace for King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who unfortunately died before its inauguration and was later launched as a museum on May 18, 2022. Visitors are invited to explore the initiatives that have fostered self-sufficiency, resilience, and social cohesion in Rwanda. Programs such as umuganda community service, ubudehe social assistance, and agaciro, national dignity are highlighted within the museum, showing how Rwandans have taken steps to rebuild their nation post-genocide. The museum tells a story of innovation, determination, and a collective effort to create a prosperous future. Rwanda Art Museum The Rwanda Art Museum, located 4 kilometres from the Kigali International Airport, is the country's sole museum of contemporary art, housed in the former presidential palace. It features artworks by Rwandan and international artists, reflecting Rwandan creativity from ancient to modern times, including pieces focusing on peace and reconciliation after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Visitors can also explore the historic palace, which includes the site of a 1994 plane crash and houses the wreckage of the presidential palace which offers a unique historical context, allowing reflection on the country's past. The museum includes the arts kid’s studio, offering interactive art activities for children. The museum also showcases over 100 art pieces from 51 artists that span a wide range of artistic mediums including sculptures, paintings, mixed media, and ceramics.
