The National Museum of Rwanda at Butare is well worth a visit of a few hours. It is just 1.5km from the centre of town. There is an excellent collection of exhibits here about Rwanda's history and culture. There is also a good shop with a selection of local handicrafts and books.
It opened in 1988 and was a gift from Belgium's King Baudouin I. Sitting on 20 hectares of land they often have Intore dancing displays in the grounds. There is a traditional craft trainin centre and gardens containing indigenous plants.
Most of the displays are labelled in both English and Kinyarwanda. The various rooms contain exhibits about Rwanda's geography and geology, the early human occupants and their farming and tools, the introduction of cattle and other animals and the brewing of the famous 'banana beer'! There are displays of handicrafts and traditional household items, potter, mats and baskets. There is even a full scale royal hut in the style of the king (similar to that at Rukali).
