The Kandt House Museum previously known as the Kandt House Museum of Natural History, is one of the eight museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda, formerly known as the Kandt Residence, it was once the home of German physician and explorer Dr. Richard Kandt. It was Dr. Kandt who founded Kigali around 1908 to be a center of administration for German East Africa. The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda converted the historic residence into a museum in 2008 in order to increase Rwandans’ exposure to the natural sciences as well as to educate visitors from around the world about Rwanda’s biological and geological diversity.
The museum strives to show the evolution of life, description of Flora and Fauna of Rwandan Natural Parks (Nyungwe, Akagera and Volcanoes), geological background of Rwanda, German and Rwanda shared history and exhibition of live reptiles (snakes) with the aim to explain the interrelation between nature and history as result of natural history museum. It is also the best view of three mountains (Mt Kigali, Mt Jali and Mt Shyorongi) and best view of old kigali city The first part presents Rwandan life in all its aspects – social, economic, and political – before the colonial period.
About Kandt House Museum
The north wing of the museum features Rwanda’s biology exhibits. Here you will find beautiful specimens of indigenous species ranging from beautifully colored birds to strange and reptiles. You can also see several of Rwanda’s mammalian occupants, from small rodents you’ve never heard of two skulls of ever popular mountain gorillas. The rear of the museum is dedicated to volcanism – not to be confused with Volcanism, or the study of space people with pointy ears. Here you will learn about the Great Rift Valley and all its tectonic and volcanic might.
You’ll learn how the great volcanoes in Rwanda’s northwest were created, what makes them pop and how people have learned to survive and thrive in their imposing shadows for countless generations. Sadly, however, this exhibit is mostly in German, but you can still learn a lot from the numerous diagrams and visual models displayed.
The second part traces the experience of the Rwandan people during the colonial period. Following the Berlin Conference in 1884, the Germans ruled Rwanda until 1916, when the Belgians took over under the League of Nations Mandate after World War I. Richard Kandt’s life and deeds in Rwanda are covered here.
The third part covers the history of Kigali, before, during and after the colonial era. Kigali was made the capital upon independence in 1962. The south wing of the museum is mostly dedicated to Rwanda’s natural resources and the history of how those resources were mined from the countless hills. On display are numerous gems and minerals along with maps showing where they are distributed around the country. Be warned though, most of the signage in this exhibit is in French.
There is also a room dedicated to hydrology, or the study of the movement and distribution of water (lakes, rivers, etc.). There isn’t really much else to see besides that. The museum is currently working on adding a couple of new exhibits which I believe will really grab visitors’ interest once they are on display. First is a complete skeleton of an African elephant that was recently discovered buried near Nyungwe Rainforest.
The second is a massive crocodile that was recently killed at Lake Muhaze – by a man with a hammer I’m told – that will be stuffed and put on display. Both will be welcomed highlights to a museum that lacks any sort of must-see attractions. The museum claims that both specimens should be ready for exhibition by the end of the summer, but as things go in Rwanda, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
So, while the Natural History Museum of Rwanda may be a bit on the small and unimpressive side, it is encouraging to see the country trying to promote interest in science and history. I would encourage anyone who might enjoy a more intimate knowledge of Rwanda, or even those just looking for something to do on a slow day, to pay the Natural History Museum a visit and support one of Kigali’s few cultural institutions.
Entrance Fee to Kandt House Museum
Entrance to the museum isn’t cheap for expats: Non-residents have to pay 6,000 francs which is roughly $8 for entry and those with resident visas or pass ports, and any form of identification pays relatively a lesser fee of 5,000 francs which is roughly $6.
How long to visit Kandt House Museum.
Exploring the museum does not need you much time as in an hour or two to walk through, depending on how much you choose (or are able) to stop and read can make you get through your visit. Unfortunately for us English-only speakers many of the exhibits are in German or French. This detracts from the experience a bit as you may miss out on some of the in-depth information, but for the most part the exhibits are simple enough to understand by sight alone.
Opening Times
• Open daily from 8am to 6pm
• Closed on 7th April
• Closed 11am to 6pm on Umuganda days (the last Saturday of the month)
Operations
The museum is kept open for visitors from Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and you don’t have to worry about any large crowds who also come with the same intention to tour and get firsthand information about the museum, just join the group and get yourself going.
Location
Kandt House Museum, the former Natural History Museum is located at KN 90 St, around one kilometer from downtown.