Butare is close to the Burundi border in the south east of Rwanda. It is a small town with a relaxed atmosphere, best know as the educational centre of the country, having been the location for the first ever secondary school in 1928 and, since 1963, has been the site of Rwanda's national university.
During colonial times Butare was the administrative centre for the region which served the joint territory of Ruanda-Urundi with only Bujumbura being a larger town. In 1962 it reverted to it's original name of Butare having been known as Astrida from 1935 after the Swedish wife of Belgium's King Leopold III. It was thought at the time of independence that Butare would become the capital of Rwanda, but as Kigali with it's more central location in the country took on that role, Butare has remained a sleepy feeling small town, though it has the greatest number of students in the country, having the national university and other training schools and colleges here.
For the visitor, Butare is a great place to stop on the way south to Nyungwe Forest and there are some small hotels and local guest houses here. The National Museum is well worth spending a few hours visiting with a truly fascinating range of displays about the history and geography of the country and it's people.
There is a great handicraft shop and an interesting market. Just outside town is the Huye Tinnery where you can watch the process from start to finish and buy some attractive products.
On the fertile slopes of Mount Huye west of Butare is good coffee growing country. This is a very scenic area and you can visit the coffee washing station and the process of drying and bagging.
Near the university is the Ruhande Arboretum, set up in 1934. If you have an interest in trees, you can arrange a visit through the university.
If you have time, wander round the tree lined peaceful residential streets. There are a few interesting buildings including the Old Customs House and the Librairie Universitaire.
40km west of Butare is the little town of Gikongoro which is surrounded by dramatic hills. There is a good hotel here, The Golden Monkey Hotel. Near Gikongoro is a very dramatic genocide memorial to remember the 40,000 - 60,000 people who were killed heere where they were sheltering in the school on Murambi Hill.
