Introduction
In the southern province of Rwanda one can find the Nyungwe National park. A national park which is known for its wide variety of monkey species and its famous canopy walk. Besides the beautiful nature and animal variety the local city of Huye also hosts the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda.
Nyungwe national park
For my first national park ever, I decided to go to Nyungwe national park. Located in the south of Rwanda and stretching over the border of Burundi Nyungwe is a gigantic rain forest stretching over an uncountable number of hills. While staying in Huye I had to take a bus at nine in the morning to arrive around twelve in Gisakura.
Gisakura is on the other side of Nyungwe when coming from Huye and it was a long bus ride, beautiful because you travel through the national park, but long. When arriving in Gisakura you are welcomed into a cabin in which you can choose your expedition. I choose, on recommendation of a friend, the waterfall hike which is about 2.5-3 hours long. You are accompanied by a mandatory guide. First using a ‘moto’ we travelled to the start of the hike. Entering in a small bush we were immediately submerged in to Nyungwe national park. The forest in all its raw beauty was all round us and looked like nothing I ever saw before. Large trees and small plants constantly filled the stage with a different outlook. But even large plants or plants ON trees where everywhere. To walk to our destination, the waterfall, we had to travel for about one hour and a half. First descending and later climbing the mountain we walked on narrow paths finally reaching a stream. It is hard to describe this forest but it felt like something immensely vast and alive was all around you. As if you stepped in to the arms of a living and breathing entity as a welcome but humbled guest. If that metaphor was too much check out the pictures. The waterfall, the destination of the hike, was located between high rocks which gave it a serene outlook. With the sun peeking through the valley and the tumbling of the water making a calm and constant noise the atmosphere was one of beauty. We walked the same route back as we came. I was told there would be monkeys on the trail so I looked intensively but to no avail. I had given up hope until at the very last moment our guide yelled and spotted one. For me it was the highlight of the walk and it was really great to see the so called ‘mountain monkey’. They were used to humans and we could see them from a few meters away. All in all, the hike was quite spectacular but maybe a bit short. As being a Foreign Resident I paid 50 euro’s. It was worth the money but in hindsight I would have maybe liked to take a longer hike. |
KibehoThe bumpy ride starts off with immediate virulence. The road is red. The rich red of Ave de la Cathedral that leads to Our Lady of Wisdom. It must be loam soil. There’s arguments within the cabin on whether...
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(R)Wanderer Diaries: 8 things to do in Huye
By Soila Kenya ([email protected])
Huye is a town located in the southern part of Rwanda and is a traveler's paradise. It has lots of tourist attractions, both conventional and unconventional. Most of them can be seen within 3-4 days and most of them are located within the town itself. The weather is moderately hot, but perfect for traveling around.
You get to see Rwandese musical instruments, weaponry, alcohol brewery, basketry and much more. There are several replicas of ancient tools used such as umbrellas, boats and smoking pipes. There is also a room with a replica of a traditional Rwandese hut that you are allowed to enter. The entire tour takes about one hour and is well worth your time, especially for any history buffs.
- Ethnographic Museum
You get to see Rwandese musical instruments, weaponry, alcohol brewery, basketry and much more. There are several replicas of ancient tools used such as umbrellas, boats and smoking pipes. There is also a room with a replica of a traditional Rwandese hut that you are allowed to enter. The entire tour takes about one hour and is well worth your time, especially for any history buffs.
2. Huye Stadium
The stadium is located very near the museum. If you are lucky to get inside, you can take pictures on the track and of the stands. It’s especially fun to do with friends. The best time would be to get them when a game is ongoing.
The stadium is located very near the museum. If you are lucky to get inside, you can take pictures on the track and of the stands. It’s especially fun to do with friends. The best time would be to get them when a game is ongoing.
3. University of Rwanda Arboretum
The university is located in the centre of town and requires an ID to enter. From the main entrance, the arboretum is a stone’s throw away. You can take a leisurely walk through the forest.
The university is located in the centre of town and requires an ID to enter. From the main entrance, the arboretum is a stone’s throw away. You can take a leisurely walk through the forest.
4. Cathedral Huye
The cathedral is the oldest one in Rwanda and still hosts church services. It is an awesome site for photographers as the numerous towers majestically jut into the sky. It’s best visited at dusk or dawn for the added dramatic effect of the sun’s rays.
The cathedral is the oldest one in Rwanda and still hosts church services. It is an awesome site for photographers as the numerous towers majestically jut into the sky. It’s best visited at dusk or dawn for the added dramatic effect of the sun’s rays.
5. Huye Mountain Coffee
Among all these touristic locations, this is the most fun – but it involves hiking. The tour consists of a walk up Tale hill where there are large plantations of Arabica coffee. You get the full history of coffee, first in the world, and then in Rwanda. Actually, at the end of it all, you may consider yourself a sort of rookie coffee expert. The steep hill might prove tiresome but is worth it in the end. Once on top, you can roast your own coffee beans that will be ground and packed for you to take home. The friendly guide, nicknamed ‘Mr.Coffee’ makes the whole experience ten times better with his friendly personality. When you get back down the hill, you are served with the freshest blend of coffee that you can drink to your fill. The whole tour costs 8000RWF for East African students.
Among all these touristic locations, this is the most fun – but it involves hiking. The tour consists of a walk up Tale hill where there are large plantations of Arabica coffee. You get the full history of coffee, first in the world, and then in Rwanda. Actually, at the end of it all, you may consider yourself a sort of rookie coffee expert. The steep hill might prove tiresome but is worth it in the end. Once on top, you can roast your own coffee beans that will be ground and packed for you to take home. The friendly guide, nicknamed ‘Mr.Coffee’ makes the whole experience ten times better with his friendly personality. When you get back down the hill, you are served with the freshest blend of coffee that you can drink to your fill. The whole tour costs 8000RWF for East African students.
6. King’s Palace Museum
This is one of the collection of museums found in Rwanda, located in Nyanza, a 45-minute bus ride from Huye. It focuses on the history of Rwandese royalty, from their dress to their dwellings and to the traditions surrounding their existence. The tour consists of first seeing the traditional abode of a King – the museum has a replica of this traditional hut. You get to see the interior whilst being given an explanation of the King’s courtly duties and how he was treated by the community. The next part of the tour is another walk round a replica of the modern house that the last King of Rwanda lived in before Belgium occupation of the country. The whole tour costs 1000RWF for East African students and 2000RWF to take pictures.
This is one of the collection of museums found in Rwanda, located in Nyanza, a 45-minute bus ride from Huye. It focuses on the history of Rwandese royalty, from their dress to their dwellings and to the traditions surrounding their existence. The tour consists of first seeing the traditional abode of a King – the museum has a replica of this traditional hut. You get to see the interior whilst being given an explanation of the King’s courtly duties and how he was treated by the community. The next part of the tour is another walk round a replica of the modern house that the last King of Rwanda lived in before Belgium occupation of the country. The whole tour costs 1000RWF for East African students and 2000RWF to take pictures.
7. Murambi Memorial
This is one of the more graphic genocide memorials in the country. It is located in Nyamagabe, which is about 30 minutes from Huye. It is located in a compound that was meant to become a technical college, and was still under construction. However, what happened instead was a dark and haunting tale. 50,000 unsuspecting Rwandese were rounded up there under pretence of protection but were instead brutally slaughtered en masse and buried in the compound in mass graves where volley ball fields were built on to try and cover up the atrocities that took place there. Bodies preserved in lime are put on display in some of the would-be class rooms as physical evidence of the lives lost on that fateful night. Visitors are allowed to leave messages on a board in the museum in condolence with the victims and their families. The whole experience is jarring and brings the genocide into stark relief, especially for outsiders, but is not for the faint-hearted.
This is one of the more graphic genocide memorials in the country. It is located in Nyamagabe, which is about 30 minutes from Huye. It is located in a compound that was meant to become a technical college, and was still under construction. However, what happened instead was a dark and haunting tale. 50,000 unsuspecting Rwandese were rounded up there under pretence of protection but were instead brutally slaughtered en masse and buried in the compound in mass graves where volley ball fields were built on to try and cover up the atrocities that took place there. Bodies preserved in lime are put on display in some of the would-be class rooms as physical evidence of the lives lost on that fateful night. Visitors are allowed to leave messages on a board in the museum in condolence with the victims and their families. The whole experience is jarring and brings the genocide into stark relief, especially for outsiders, but is not for the faint-hearted.
8. Inzozi Nziza
This is an ice cream parlour located within Huye town, a stone’s throw away from the university. At affordable rates one can be served a variety of ice creams with different toppings. They also have other beverages and munchies, all served with extremely friendly service. It proved a nice way to wind down after a full day of touring.
This is an ice cream parlour located within Huye town, a stone’s throw away from the university. At affordable rates one can be served a variety of ice creams with different toppings. They also have other beverages and munchies, all served with extremely friendly service. It proved a nice way to wind down after a full day of touring.
Nyungwe Forest
Hear the sound of the old rainforest
A visit to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa is definitely a must! Nyungwe Forest National Park is Rwanda’s most important area of biodiversity. Despite its beauty, Nyungwe remains overlooked by many tourists. But not by me!
Let me take you to the old rainforest!
Let me take you to the old rainforest!
Huye - Home of intellectuals
Since the colonial era it is country’s most prominent intellectual town. The National University of Rwanda, the National Institute of Scientific and the outstanding National Museum are all part of the town.
Let me take you to Huye!
Let me take you to Huye!