Huye and Butare: a stop on the way to Nyungwe
Huye is a town in the Southern Province, and many visitors still search for it as Butare. It lies east of Nyungwe National Park, on the road that connects Kigali with the forest. Its main sight is the Ethnographic Museum, which makes a break in a long drive. If you want to go on into the forest, see Nyungwe tours from Kigali.
The town is not inside the park. Huye is 55 km from the eastern park entrance, so do not use that number for the distance to Uwinka or Gisakura, where most activities start.
Our pick: a route past the museum
This five-day trip includes the Ethnographic Museum alongside Nyungwe and Lake Kivu.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nyungwe trips that pass through Huye
Guided trips and transfers that include Nyungwe, with live prices and availability.
Ethnographic Museum Rwanda
The museum in Huye is the one to look for.
The official name is Ethnographic Museum. It stands in Huye District and was formerly called the National Museum of Rwanda. It opened on 18 September 1989.
The collection runs through 7 galleries with ethnographic, archaeological, historical and artistic objects. Plan an hour or two for a first visit, longer if you like reading displays. The museum is not the King's Palace, which is in Nyanza and is a separate visit.
Opening hours and what to check
Hours for 2026. Confirm before you go.
Daily hours
The museum is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00 and closed on 7 April.
Umuganda Saturdays
On the last Saturday of the month, the museum can close from 11:00 to 18:00. Check the hours for that day if your visit falls on a last Saturday.
Entry fee
Check the current fee at the museum.
From Huye to the forest
The town lies east of the park on the main route.
The road from Kigali runs through Huye on its way to Nyungwe. The whole stretch from Kigali to Nyungwe is roughly 225 km and 5 to 6 hours, so Huye is a natural place to stop for lunch, a museum visit or a night. Plan to drive in daylight and allow extra time after rain.
The road continues through the forest towards Rusizi on Lake Kivu. Kitabi has been without a park office since 2020. For the tea side of the area, see tea plantations near Nyungwe.
Kigali and the wider country have their own guide at Visit Rwanda: Kigali.
How to fit Huye into a Nyungwe trip
Three ways to use the town.
A museum stop on the drive
The drive from Kigali takes 5 to 6 hours, and the museum is open from 08:00 to 18:00. A visit of an hour or two breaks the journey well. Start early enough that you still reach your base in daylight.
A night before an early start
If you sleep in Huye, you are 55 km from the eastern park entrance, and further from Uwinka and Gisakura where the activities begin. Add that extra distance when you set your start time for the Canopy Walkway or chimpanzee trekking.
Tea on the way
Tea country lies along the park edges. Visits to plantations are arranged in advance, and free access to a factory is not guaranteed. See tea plantations near Nyungwe for the details.
Nyungwe at a glance
What waits east of Huye.
Nyungwe covers about 1,019 km² of mountain rainforest in the south-west and has been a World Heritage site since 2023. Forest walks are guided, and unaccompanied hiking is not allowed. In 2026, the Canopy Walkway costs $40 and chimpanzee trekking $150 per person for international guests, in addition to the park entry fee. Chimpanzee trekking is for ages 15 and up.
Check the full price list on Nyungwe park fees and see primates in Nyungwe for what lives in the forest.
Huye and Butare: frequently asked questions
Is Huye the same as Butare?
Many visitors know the town as Butare. This page uses both names so you can find it under either.
How far is Huye from Nyungwe?
It is 55 km from Huye to the eastern entrance. The activity start points at Uwinka and Gisakura are further on, so plan extra time.
What are the Ethnographic Museum opening hours?
Daily from 08:00 to 18:00, closed on 7 April. On the last Saturday of the month the museum can close from 11:00 to 18:00, so check the hours for that day.
Is the Ethnographic Museum the same as the King's Palace?
No. The museum is in Huye, and the King's Palace is in Nyanza.
Is Huye inside Nyungwe National Park?
No. Huye lies east of the park on the road from Kigali, about 55 km from the eastern entrance. Activities start at Uwinka and Gisakura.