Discovering Rwanda’s history is a special experience, one that matters not just to the Rwandan people but to anyone visiting the country. Rwanda is one of the four nations in East Africa, alongside Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The landlocked country of Rwanda, often called “the Land of a Thousand Hills,” is known for its friendly people, mild climate, rich culture, and more.
This welcoming atmosphere starts in the capital city, Kigali, and spreads to other regions, where gorillas live in the north, the Big Five animals are found in Akagera National Park in the east, and chimpanzees live in Nyungwe National Park.
Rwanda’s cultural heritage is also preserved in the well known Kandt House Museum, part of a network of eight museums in Rwanda. Other notable ones include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the King’s Palace Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum.
About the Kandt House Museum
All these museums are managed by the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. Together, they showcase the history and culture of Rwanda, including exhibits related to the genocide, traditional Rwandan culture, plants and animals, and more.
The Kandt Museum is located in Kigali City on KN 90 Street, about 1 kilometer west of the city center. It sits in a spot with wide views of Shyorongi, the historic city of Kigali, Mount Kigali, and Mount Jali.
The museum is named after Richard Kandt, Rwanda’s first colonial governor, who ruled in the early 1900s. Kandt lived in a house on Nyarugenge Hill that was formally converted into a museum on December 17, 2017.
However, the building has been in use as a museum since 2006. The museum displays a variety of exhibits, including Rwanda’s geography, Germany’s geology, historical displays, live snakes illustrating the connection between nature and history, and the flora and fauna of Rwanda’s three national parks: Volcanoes, Akagera, and Nyungwe.
The museum also offers insight into Richard Kandt’s life and work.
Exploring the Museum’s Sections
The museum is spacious and divided into sections. The first section gives an overview of Rwandan social, political, monarchical, and economic life.
The second section focuses on Rwanda during colonial times under German rule, beginning in 1884. Germany governed Rwanda from the Berlin Conference of 1884 until 1916, when Belgium took over after World War I.
This is the largest section of the museum. The third section shows the development of Kigali City before, during, and after German colonial rule.
When Rwanda gained independence in 1962, Kigali was made the capital city.
When to Visit Kandt House Museum
The Kandt House Museum is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on April 7 and Umuganda Days, the last Saturday of each month, when it opens from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visitors of all ages are welcome. Besides the Kandt House Museum, you can also explore the other seven museums in and around Kigali.
Other Attractions in Rwanda
Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population lives in Rwanda. In the northern region, at Volcanoes National Park, you can see them through gorilla trekking or habituation experiences.
Mountain gorillas are gentle and shy apes, with DNA that is about 98% similar to that of humans.
In Nyungwe National Park, you can go chimpanzee trekking and enjoy the canopy walk. Akagera National Park offers boat rides and game drives for a chance to see Rwanda’s wildlife.
The Kandt House Museum is one of Rwanda’s top attractions. It’s well worth spending part of your visit exploring this museum to learn about the history, culture, and politics of this country.
