Town · Southern Rwanda
Huye (Butare)
Rwanda's historic intellectual and university town, and home to its national ethnographic museum.
How to get there
By road from Kigali, roughly two hours south.
What to find
The National Ethnographic Museum, one of the region's most comprehensive collections of East African cultural artefacts.
Overview
Huye, formerly known as Butare, is Rwanda's university town and a longtime centre of learning and culture in the south of the country.
Its main attraction is the Ethnographic Museum, opened in 1989. Its collections on Rwandan history and traditional life are among the finest in the region, from farming and hunting tools to royal objects and traditional architecture.
Highlights
- The Ethnographic Museum, one of the best in East Africa
- Traditional dance performances, arranged on request
- A relaxed student town atmosphere
- A convenient base for Nyanza, Murambi and Nyungwe
Things to do
Museum visit
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Cultural performances
Traditional Intore dance, subject to availability.
Best time to visit
All year.
Getting there
About 2 to 2.5 hours by road south of Kigali.
Where to stay
Hotels and guesthouses in town.
See accommodation options in Rwanda →
Good to know
- A natural stop between Kigali and Nyungwe.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
From Huye (Butare)
Places to visit from Huye (Butare)
Drive times are approximate. Look up another city.