Best Cultural sites to Visit in Rwanda 2023 -2024

Rwanda is sometimes referred to as the’’ land of a thousand hills’’ due to very many hills that inhabit the country. Rwanda is African country located the East African region surrounded by Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. Its population is not such big and it’s regarded as one of the smallest and dense populated country in africa.

Rwanda’ culture is varied. Unlike many countries in Africa, Rwanda has been integrated state since pre-colonial times, majority of Rwanda is dominated by the Banyarwanda people who share a solo language and cultural legacy. Music and dance are an indispensable part of Rwandan rites, carnival, social gatherings and storytelling.  Rwanda has very many interesting sites one should not love to miss to visit when on a tour to Rwanda. And most of these sites can be visited on a city tour either at the start of a safari or at the end or you can plan a full day siting these cultural sites. Best Cultural sites to Visit in Rwanda

King’s palace Museum (King Mutara III Rudahigwa) in Nyanza:

The king’s palace Museum is one of the most visited cultural sites on Rwanda located in Nyanza and it was basically known as the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa until his decease. The palace was constructed in 1932 by the Belgium government and is situated just about 88 km south of Kigali city Rwanda’s capital and its largest city. The museum serves as a cultural center that offers apprehension into Rwanda’s monarchy tradition over the last 200 years.

While here, you will have a chance to view Rwanda’s traditional seat of the King.  During the 1994 Rwanda genocide, many of the traditional materials and objects in the museum were destroyed while others stolen. During this war over 1m people were killed within one month and many went into exile in the neighboring countries. However some of the materials were restored like the traditional cows which is locally known as ‘’Inyambo’’ and this present the culture of the Rwanda. You cannot leave the palace minus visiting the Rwanda burial grounds of King Mutara III and his precious wife Rosalie Gicanda on a neighboring hill of Mwima its worth to visit while on a safari in Rwanda.

Iby’Iwacu cultural village:

This is also regarded as a must visit site in Rwanda especially after gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park Rwanda’ most visited park. And this wonderful cultural village is situated in Musanze district around Volcanoes National Park. The word Iby’Iwacu is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “Treasure of our home”. This beautiful cultural village exhibits cultural practices of the three tribes of Rwanda that is Hutu, Tutsi and the Batwa. While in this Village, you will have a chance to enjoy many interesting activities including learning how to prepare traditional foods, 8 different traditional dances are presented such as the ntore, Ikembe, Amakondera and Ingoma among others, you will leave the cultural village with a lot of satisfaction and if interested you can join them in their dances something which will give bring you memories.

Don’t miss community walk especially to tourist who come for gorilla safaris, you will be privileged to visit the former king’s palace, visit the traditional herbalists and clinics, visit the Batwa pottery making among many other captivating activities. Iby’Iwacu cultural village is a place where nature meets culture. It’s really so beautiful.

Banda Village :

The Banda Village is located within the heart of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park a home to the closet relative of man the chimps, its located just about 15 kilometers from Uwinka Visitors Centre. The village can be easily accessible via a path at the end of the beautiful Canopy Walk. Best Cultural sites to Visit in Rwanda Reaching the village, you will be welcomed warmly with beautiful song and dance before touring the village. They will display their traditional basket weaving, maize-grinding, medicine-making, and a chance to sample the local cuisine.

Kigali Cultural Villages:

This is located within the heart of Rwanda in Kigali Rwanda’s capital and largest city, the Kigali cultural villages is where local artisans & food vendors exhibit and trade their goods, events like workshops, festivals and music can be organized within here.

Others things to do in Rwanda apart from cultural sites

Mountain gorilla trekking:

This is perhaps the most interesting adventurous safari activity done in Rwanda, the park is located just about 2 hours’ drive from the capital city Kigali. Volcanoes national park is one of the few parks in the world hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla safari is one of the most interesting safari activity in Rwanda and spending one hour with these endangered apes is regarded as thrilling experience one should not love miss.

The all process of gorilla trekking is warding although sometimes its demanding, the trek involves passing through the thick and sometimes muddy forest so some levels of physical fitness is needed and you are required to carry study pair of walking shoes, boots, long sleeved shirts/blouses, a hut, sun glasses etc. Gorilla safaris in Rwanda is worth the money spent, a Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 per person per tracking and you are advised to book your gorilla permit in time prior to the day of trekking because permits are sold on first come first serve basis. All gorilla trekking activities begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters in Kinigi to receive short briefings about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas.

Chimpanzee trekking:

Chimpanzee trekking is another adventurous safaris activities to enjoy while on a tour in Rwanda. Nyungwe national park is known for primate trekking and it’s known for housing over 13 species of primates coupled with the chimpanzee the closest relative to human housing almost 95% of human DNA make-up. Other primates to see in the park include the black and white colobus monkey, civet monkey, baboons, red-tailed mangabay, among others.

Chimpanzee trekking is the most sought after primate specie to trek in the park and the activity begins very early in the morning after a short briefing from the park warden about the dos and don’ts while with the chimps. After, you will head to the forest to begin the search of chimps. Chimps are fabulous fun to enjoy watching as they pray in fruitful trees or tree blanches and once they are met, you are strictly allowed only one hour with them taking with them photos as well as studding their behaviors. In the process of chimp trekking, you will be in position to spot very many other primates and other forest dwellers.

Game drives and boat cruise:

game drives in Akagera national park gives it all, for those who want to see a variety of animals in their natural setting, Akagera national park should be on your number one list destination 2021-2022. Akagera National park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda just about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali. Akagera hosts the big five mammals including rhinos, elephants, lions, elephants, hippos, leopards, other animals that inhabit the park include antelopes, buffaloes, worth hogs, hyena just to mention but a few. Game drives in the park will give you an opportunity to sport all these species of animals. Other animals can be spotted during a 2-3 hours boat cruise on the lake Ihema such as hippos, buffaloes and elephants and many species of birds can be spot along the shoreline.

Best of the Best Cultural sites to Visit in Rwanda