Also known as Butare, Huye is an endowed cultural hub within Rwanda and was once considered a significant City before 1985. Destroyed be the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the country has recovered and gradually overcame the past thus the remains are used as tourism sites.
While at Huye, you will be able to find the magnificent Museum that displays the great history of Rwanda and also the entrance into the modern World. Therefore while here, the following are the things to see and do within Huye;
Visit the National Ethnographic Museum
Also referred as the National Museum of Rwanda, National Ethnographic Museum was designed by the Belgian Architect known as Lode Van Pee, constructed in 1989 to commemorate 25 years of Independence and is so far the most recognized tourist site within Huye district. Its state of art exterior design is beautiful and attractive but what will take your breath about this building is within because together with the Cathedral, the historical and cultural is what makes meaning to the architectural achievements of the Site. National Ethnographic Museum displays Rwanda’s pre-colonial past and has wonderful collection of artifacts in addition to the explanations as well as possibility for guided tours in English or French.
Visit Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre
If you are someone that easily cries or are faint-hearted, then this site is not a place you would wish to visit. While here, you will be taken through the atrocities committed during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre is an emotional site situated within 30 kilometers outside Huye and when you visit, the tour guides will show you around the place to learn about the importance of each part of the site. The site is found in the school where thousands of Tutsi were found massacred by Hutus thus there are several skeletons of the deceased as well as their clothes.
Try the Inzozi Nziza
Inzozi Nziza is a Kinyarwanda word meaning “sweet dreams” and is a wonderful place to pass by if you crave for cold refreshment during the hot weather.
Exploring the nearby Nyabisindu (Nayanza)
When you visit this magnificent site, you will be able to visit the breathtaking Royal Palace of Rwanda’s feudal Monarchy.
Visit the Cathedral
This Cathedral within Huye was built in the 1930s to commemorate the life of Princess Astrid and so far is the largest within the country. What stands out about the building is its spectacular structure/design thus making it worth exploring during Rwanda safaris. It was built with red bricks and offers an imposing presence in its bare surroundings and above the entranceway has an oversize cross constructed into the structure.
The University of Rwanda-Huye Campus
Even with its popularity as the cultural hub of Rwanda, Huye is still a considerably small Town thus finding live music spots such as Clubs and Bars is a bit challenging thus you can just head to the University of Rwanda within Huye Campus where you will have a medley of both indigenous and non-indigenous performances with several visits from Henhouse Prowlers as well as the American Bluegrass group.
Other mind-boggling things to see or do within Huye district include visiting the King’s Palace Museum (outside Huye within the nearby Nyanza), taste pure Rwandan coffee, and enjoy the Traditional dances by the Rwandan Dance Troupe.