• King’s Palace Museum - The driver guide will collect guests from their hotel in Kigali at 8:00 am, provide a brief overview of the tour, and then proceed to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza town, located in the Southern Province of Rwanda. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The King’s Palace Museum is a stunning reconstruction of a traditional royal residence, featuring a beautifully crafted thatched structure resembling a beehive.

Historically, Nyanza was the center of Rwanda. Oral traditions suggest it was a site of battles and power struggles. The monarchy was once nomadic, moving the court between various locations, but eventually settled in Nyanza. The capital of the Kingdom once housed up to 2,000 residents, with huts constructed using the same techniques as those seen here.

Behind the museum, a few long-horned Inyambo cattle, descendants of the King’s herd, are cared for by keepers who sing to them, preserving a unique tradition.

Rwanda transitioned from a monarchy to an independent nation in 1962.

• Ethnographic Museum - Following a wonderful visit to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza town, guests will travel 30 minutes to Butare to explore the Ethnographic Museum.

Gifted by Belgium’s King Baudouin in the late 1980s, the Ethnographic Museum now boasts one of Africa’s most impressive ethnographic collections. Seven galleries showcase historical, ethnographic, artistic, and archaeological artifacts, complemented by visual aids, offering visitors a comprehensive understanding of Rwandan culture. The exhibits begin with geographical and geological displays, progressing to items used in hunting, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, weaving, and woodwork.

Traditional clothing and architectural techniques are also highlighted, along with the social significance of cattle. The final gallery explores traditional customs and beliefs, history, culture, poetry, oral tradition, and cosmology.

After this enriching experience, guests will enjoy lunch at Ibis restaurant, followed by a return drive to Kigali.

• Lunch

• All items not specifically listed under the inclusions.

Experience a full day immersed in culture and heritage, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Rwandan history and culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the King’s Palace Museum, located in Nyanza District, Southern Province, 88 km from Kigali city. The palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa provides an in-depth view of the Rwandan monarchical system and its dissolution in the early 1960s due to colonial influences.

Additionally, the Ethnographic Museum is a must-visit. Established in 1987, it boasts one of Africa’s most impressive ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries showcase historical, ethnographic, artistic, and archaeological artifacts, enhanced by visual aids, offering a profound insight into Rwandan culture.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.