This is one of the new museums of Rwanda. Located about 2km from Kigali International Airport, this is the residence of the former President of Rwanda, Habyarimana (1973 – 1994) and President Pastuer Bizimungu of the late 1990s.
The Presidential Palace Museum gives visitors a chance to visit the former state house. You can learn about the overview of Rwanda’s history and yo can also visit some of the flight debris of the FALCON 50 presidential plane.
This museum is mainly known for the flight debris which are the remains of the Presidential place that went down on 6th April 1994.
Location
The Presidential Palace Museum found on the eastern outskirts of Kigali City and is one of the commonest and most visited historical and Memorial places within the country.
Why Visit the Museum?
What makes it frequently visited is the fact that it is located within a close proximity to the Kigali City Center and lies at about 40 kilometers east of Kigali Airport thus you can stopover at the site before or after visiting other destinations during Rwanda safaris.
It’s known as the Presidential Palace because it used to be the home to Late Juvenal Habyarimana-the former President of Rwanda that passed away right before the 1994 Rwandan genocide and it was his death that sparked off the massacre. It is said that in April 1994, the Plane carrying this former Head of State together with former Burundian President-Cyprian Ntaryamira was shot as it landed thus coincidentally crushing into his house Compound yet the perpetrators were not caught thus calling for Hutu extremists and triggered the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The site is presently a popular Museum that is visited by thousands of International and local tourists who visit the area to see flight debris/remains and have detailed understanding of the former President’s way of life. It also features secret rooms, the palatial edifice and an odd presidential nightclub. There are also sensors around the house and were used as an alert to the President in case of an stranger walking through the corridors
The gardens outside the house are well maintained and in a perfect condition with several beautiful trees and flowers of all varieties but also have stone walkways. The compound of the Presidential Palace also features a swimming pool, a tennis court, playground equipment as well as an outdoor bar.
Near the middle of the behind garden exists some remains of a concrete pond that once stored the former President’s most treasured pet-a 300 pound python that was always used for fending off evil spirits.
Entrance Fees to the Presidential Palace Museum
Entrance fee for the Foreign non-residents is RWF 6000 and the Foreign residents (with residency cards and Working Permit) is RWF 5000 but if you wish to take photos of the garden and the exterior of the house (no photos for the interior), you will be required to pay an extra RWF 2000.
It always takes 1-2 hours to move around the Presidential Palace Museum and the backyard but also depends on how many stopovers you will make while moving.
How to Access the Presidential Palace Museum
This Museum is situated at approximately 4 kilometers from Kanombe Airstrip on the eastern side of Kigali and can be accessed by the road that leads to the International Airport before proceeding to drive for a few kilometers until Kanombe Military Hospital you’re the right. You will then proceed and change from tarmac to murram road until Kanombe Primary School and turn left where you will see the entrance of the Museum.
This Museum is open 7 days a week starting from 9am to 5pm except during the Public Cleaning day (Umuganda) when it is open at 11am.
