King’s Palace Museum and Kwigira Museum (Nyanza)
At a glance
| District | Nyanza, Southern Province |
|---|---|
| Museum since | May 2008 |
| On the site | Palace replica, the 1931 palace, the Inyambo cows |
| Nearby | Mwima mausoleum; Kwigira Museum on Rwesero hill |
| Run by | Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) |
Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy: Museums and heritage sites management division1
The palaces and the royal cows
The replica palace was rebuilt in its 19th-century form, entirely in traditional materials. It explains how the monarchy worked until it ended in the early 1960s. Next to it is the 1931 palace where King Mutara III Rudahigwa lived until his death in 1959; it now shows Rwandan history from the 15th century.1
Since 2011 the museum has kept Inyambo, the long-horned royal cows, which were a symbol of the king’s prestige. On Mwima hill nearby is the mausoleum of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Queen Rosalie Gicanda and King Kigeli V Ndahindurwa.1
Kwigira Museum at Rwesero
The Kwigira Museum building was built in 1957 and 1958 as a new palace for King Mutara III Rudahigwa, who died on 25 July 1959 before it was inaugurated. It later housed courts and the prosecutor general’s offices and was an art museum from 2006. It now shows Rwanda’s home-grown initiatives: Gacaca, Abunzi, Umuganda, Ubudehe, Itorero, Girinka, Umushyikirano and Umwiherero.1
| Kwigira Museum | Student, RWF | Adult, RWF |
|---|---|---|
| Rwandan or resident of Rwanda | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| African or resident of an African country | 3,000 | 5,000 |
| International visitor | 5,000 | 10,000 |
Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy: Visit the national museums (hours and admission fees)2
Tickets and opening hours
| Visitor | Student, RWF | Adult, RWF |
|---|---|---|
| Rwandan or resident of Rwanda | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| African or resident of an African country | 5,000 | 10,000 |
| International visitor | 10,000 | 20,000 |
- Hours: every day from 9:00 to 17:00. On Umuganda days, the last Saturday of the month, the museums open at 12:00.
- Closed: 7 April, for the commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and on 25 December and 1 January.
- Groups: groups of 30 or more visitors get a 20% discount.
- Payment: all tickets are paid through Irembo, online or with Irembo Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the King’s Palace Museum?
At Rukari in Nyanza District, Southern Province, 88 km from Kigali.
What are the Inyambo?
Long-horned royal cows, a symbol of the king’s prestige. The museum has kept them since 2011.
How much is a ticket to the King’s Palace Museum?
RWF 20,000 for an international adult, RWF 10,000 for an African adult and RWF 6,000 for a Rwandan or resident adult.
What is the Kwigira Museum?
A palace built in 1957 and 1958 on Rwesero hill in Nyanza, which now shows Rwanda’s home-grown initiatives such as Gacaca and Umuganda.
Sources
- Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy: Museums and heritage sites management division
- Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy: Visit the national museums (hours and admission fees)
Figures checked 10 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
