Culture & Heritage · Nyanza, Southern Province
King's Palace Museum, Nyanza
A reconstruction of the traditional royal palace of the Rwandan monarchy, on the site that served as its seat for centuries.
How to get there
By road from Kigali, roughly ninety minutes south.
What to find
The beehive-shaped traditional royal residence, the 1930s modern palace, royal regalia, and Rwanda's ceremonial long-horned Inyambo cattle.
Overview
The King's Palace Museum at Nyanza, also known as Rukari, is in southern Rwanda. It shows how Rwanda's kings (the Mwami) lived, and was the royal seat for much of the country's history.
The highlight is a full-size reconstruction of a traditional royal palace, a large dome-shaped house of wood and thatch. You'll also find the 1930s palace of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, and a herd of Inyambo cattle with enormous horns, whose keepers still sing traditional songs to them.
Highlights
- The traditional royal palace reconstruction
- King Mutara III Rudahigwa's 1930s palace
- The long-horned Inyambo cattle and their singers
- The nearby Rwesero Art Museum
Things to do
Guided palace tour
Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Inyambo cattle
See the royal cattle and hear the traditional songs.
Best time to visit
All year.
Getting there
About 1.5 hours by road south of Kigali, on the way to Huye and Nyungwe.
Where to stay
Visit on the way between Kigali and Huye or Nyungwe.
See accommodation options in Rwanda →
Good to know
- Combine with the Ethnographic Museum in Huye the same day.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.