After the Kigali International Peace Marathon: One Night in Nyanza and Huye

The Route: Kigali hotel → Nyanza royal palace → Overnight → Huye ethnographic museum → Kigali Logistics: Ask a licensed operator for one quote that covers the driver, the night and both entry fees. Marathon Month: June Duration: 1 night

Kigali hotel ──(driver)──> Nyanza palace ──> Overnight ──> Huye museum ──(driver)──> Kigali

Rwanda's tourism authority suggests pairing the royal palace at Nyanza with the ethnographic museum at Huye, and one night between them stops the visits and the road from piling into a single tiring day. Leave on the Monday or the Tuesday, once the first day of stiff legs has passed.

June in southern Rwanda: the drier season is starting. Showers are still possible. Pack a light layer for the evening.

Day One: The Palace

The King's Palace at Nyanza includes a reconstruction of the royal residence and is home to the Inyambo, the long-horned royal cattle. The visit is mostly slow walking on level ground and is easy to shorten. Ask for the opening times and the guide arrangements when you book. Ask the driver for the journey time from your hotel, because the traffic on the way out of Kigali varies.

The Night

Choose a room near Nyanza or Huye through your operator rather than arriving without a booking. Ask for a ground-floor room, an evening meal at the property and a late breakfast. After a marathon you will want the dining room close.

Day Two: The Museum

The ethnographic museum at Huye is indoors and flat, which suits tired legs. Check its opening days before you plan the drive, since some museums close on set days. Eat lunch in Huye and set off back to Kigali in the afternoon, leaving slack for the road.

Getting Home

The driver returns you to Kigali, and your hotel can arrange the transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL). If you fly that evening, leave Huye early and do not book a tight connection.