02 December, 2005

Traveling to the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare

The National Museum of Rwanda in Butare is beautiful, informative, and sophisticated (see TRAVELOGUE). The displays are only in French and Kinyarwanda, but we received a gracious English-speaking guide when we asked for one. The museum is several kilometers north of town, so be prepared to walk or find transportation back and forth.

The Volcano Express is quite a comfortable way to travel from Kigali to Butare, especially when compared to a public mini-taxi. The company sells tickets for individual seats, and the buses are roomier than minivans. Each ride is around US $3, and you can purchase a round-trip ticket in advance. If you are planning a day trip, leave as early as possible in the morning and book a return by or before 4pm so you won't be traveling in the dark. Estimate between 2.5 and 3 hours travel time one way. Volcano Express is busy. Every bus is always full, so we suggest showing up at least 30 minutes before departure to get a good seat, as the crowd can get a little pushy close to departure.