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Huye is the third city of Rwanda, located in the south. |
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It was formerly known as Butare and many maps and official documents still refer to Butare. |
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Huye is the capital of Huye district, which was again Butare district prior to its dissolution in 2006. |
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It is said to have about 80,000 inhabitants. |
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It is famous for hosting the National University, the National Museum (unique in Africa) and being near to Nyanza, where the palace of the former king (the so-called mwami) is. |
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There are several minibus companies that make their way from Kigali to Huye. |
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One of them recommended is Volcano. |
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It easy to find in the Kigali domestic bus station. |
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The fee is 2500 RFr one way. |
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Another option is the Ritco bus, it leaves every 30 min from nyabugogo bus station, costs 2770Rfr and has usb charging ports in the seats. |
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Huye has plenty of taxis, motorcycle taxis, and bicycle taxis, all of which will be eager to serve you. |
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Also, you can walk from the northernmost part of Huye (the bus station) to the southernmost (the University of Rwanda) in about 20 minutes. |
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(The taxis exist mainly to take Rwandans to their homes farther outside the city). |
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The most reliable restaurant in Huye is the restaurant at the Hotel Ibis on the main street. |
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However, much of the Ibis's fare is Belgian instead of Rwandan. |
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For Rwandan fare, try the Restaurant Macrobiotique, which is located on the same side of the main road as the Hotel Ibis, but closer to the university. |
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It is popular with students. |
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For lunch, try the nameless lunch restaurant located across the street from the Ibis and a little to the right (as you face away from Ibis). |
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It is to the right of the craft store. |
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For lunch they offer classic Rwandan comfort food: brochettes (goat kabobs), plantains, sweet potatoes, boiled cassava, beans, and rice. |
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It is excellent. |
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An excellent place for dinner is the Chinese restaurant located across the street from the market, behind the gas station. |
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Chinese workers built most of the paved roads in Rwanda, and a few Chinese restaurants survived their departure. |
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This one serves a variety of chicken, pork, vegetarian, and beef dishes. |
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NZOZI NZIZA |
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The first and probably the best place to get ice cream in Rwanda. |
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It is run by a local women's cooperative and offers fresh omlettes, sandwiches and milkshakes apart from their frozen specialties. |
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Located on the mainstreet near the university, it is a favorite spot for local families and students as well as expats. |
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Amafu |
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Opposite Hotel Ibis, you have to pass left to enter stairs which lead you to this 1st floor restaurant. |
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The buffet is one of the best in town and the place on the balcony outstanding. |
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Shekina |
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Again on the right side of the main street coming from Kigali. |
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Inside it looks quite shabby, it is dark and nobody could call it cozy. |
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But it is always stuffed with locals, most of them students or moto-drivers which come here to have lunch. |
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The buffet is cheap and good, the chapati are amazing!Hotel Foucon has its own nightclub, opend Fridays and Saturdays. |
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There is a nameless dance club in Huye that is open on Friday and Saturday nights. |
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It is located on the right side of the road which leads to the market from the main road (a quick inquiry at the Hotel Ibis can yield more specific directions). |
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The club serves beer and liquor. |
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CxC Cafe ConneXion |
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On the main street towards the university, opposite the Anglican Church. |
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Delicious, freshly roasted, organic local coffee. |
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Despite it's misleading name - no, there is no internet available, this is the right place to get truly delicious espresso and buy roasted coffee beans to take home. |
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By far the best hotel in Huye is the Hotel Ibis, which has been a Huye (Butare) landmark since the 1940s. |
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Run by a Belgian family for several decades, the Ibis is the only hotel in Huye that has a reliable restaurant open every day of the week, as well as hot water and electricity virtually 24/7. |
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A large patio with outdoor seating is ideal for consumption of Mutzig or Primus (popular beers in Rwanda) or the occasional sorghum beer. |
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Of course, one popular strategy is to stay at another (cheaper) hotel and eat at the Ibis restaurant, which is open to everyone. |
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The concierge at the Hotel Ibis is usually an excellent source of information. |
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Wikipedia:Butare |