Your stay — St Vincent
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The Property — St Vincent
St Vincent is a quiet, functional 3-star guesthouse a short walk from the National Museum. The lobby is tiled and cool, with a reception desk where you might wait a moment for service. It suits budget-conscious travellers, researchers or NGO staff who prioritise a clean, safe bed over character. The USP is its location: you can walk to the bus station and the market, and the staff are reliably helpful.
Chronicles of Butare
Butare (officially Huye) was the colonial administrative and intellectual capital, home to Rwanda's first university and the National Institute of Scientific Research. Its centre retains broad avenues and a handful of fine colonial-era buildings, including the 1930s cathedral. The 1994 genocide shattered the city, but post-1995 it has rebuilt as a quiet academic hub. Today it feels more like a town than a city, with a relaxed pace and a strong student presence. The National Museum of Rwanda, housed in a former Belgian palace, remains the prime cultural draw.
Best Time to Visit
Full Butare guide →Best months
June and July: long dry season, clear skies, comfortable daytime temperatures around 24°C. August is also good but busier with local holidays.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is July and August, driven by European summer holidays and gorilla-trekking connections via Kigali. Hotel prices at St Vincent can rise 20-30% above low-season rates. The main events are the July 4 Liberation Day celebrations and the Umuganura harvest festival (first Friday of August).
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer good discounts, still mostly dry weather and far fewer tourists. Room rates can drop by a third compared to August.
Weather & packing
Butare sits at 1,700m, so evenings are cool (12-14°C) even in June. Pack a warm fleece or light jacket for after sunset; waterproof shoes are non-negotiable because brief afternoon showers can occur even in the dry season.
Live City Briefing — Butare
- The Kigali-Butare road (RN1) has ongoing resurfacing works between Nyamata and Butare; allow an extra 30-45 minutes if driving from Kigali.
- The National Museum of Rwanda remains open daily 8am-5pm, but the attached colonial-era botanical garden is closed for renovation until late 2026.
- A new community-run market, Marché de la Paix, opened in the city centre in January 2026, selling artisan crafts and fresh produce — good for souvenirs.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to St Vincent, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms facing the courtyard or garden, as these are typically quieter and offer more privacy than those facing the street.
Rooms to avoid
Skip rooms next to the stairs, lift, or kitchen—these tend to have foot traffic, clatter, and early-morning noise.
Best views
Ask for a room at the back of the hotel—gardens or hillsides are common in Butare and give a calmer outlook than the road.
Quietest floors
Upper floors are usually quieter; less street noise and fewer people passing by your door.
🔊 Noise notes
Check if the hotel hosts events or has a generator—both can add noise at odd hours. Ask at reception before booking.
Insider tips
1. Book directly by phone—smaller hotels often offer discounts or upgrades not listed online. 2. Ask about a fan or portable heater in advance; air conditioning is rare in 3-star properties, so temperature control depends on the room.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — St Vincent
Free WiFi for all guests; speed ~10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload. Login via room number and surname – no time limit.
No lift. All rooms on ground and first floors accessible via stairs only.
No digital newsstand. Free printed copies of The New Times (Rwanda) available at reception each morning.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00 (free). Late check-out until 14:00 charged at RWF 15,000; after 14:00 charged as full night.
Free storage for guests; non-guests charged RWF 5,000 per bag per day.
No step-free access. Main entrance has three steps; rooms are on first floor (stairs only). Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: Butare Market Lot (RWF 1,000 per day, 5-minute walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required via bank transfer or mobile money; incidental hold of RWF 50,000 on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Maison des Missionnaires des Sacrés Cœurs (245 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Maison des Missionnaires des Sacrés Cœurs (248 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint Vincent de Paul (339 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Maison des Missionnaires des Sacrés Cœurs (341 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ethnographic Museum — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Théâtre Verdure — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of Kigali — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Viva Branch Pharmancy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Huye/Butare Bus Station — 673 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Rwandan Franc, RWF
Use bank ATMs in Butare town centre for best rates; avoid the airport bureaux and hotels, which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets; cash is king in markets and taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares or leave ~5% in nicer restaurants; small change for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Freshly brewed local coffee from roadside stalls or simple cafes costs around 500 RWF.
A plate of brochettes with chips from a local kiosk runs about 2,000 RWF.
Hearty stew or grilled fish with rice from a local restaurant: main dish for 3,000-4,000 RWF.
Evening brochette stalls near the central market and along main streets offer grilled meat skewers and samosas.
Nakumatt and Simba Supermarkets are common budget-friendly chains in Butare.
The central market (Marché de Butare) has second-hand clothing and fabric at negotiable prices.
Motorbike taxis (motos) cost 300-500 RWF per ride within town; from Kigali airport, take a shared minibus to Nyabugogo then to Butare for about 3,000 RWF total.
Eat at local brochette stalls instead of tourist restaurants; negotiate moto fares before riding; buy water in 1.5 litre bottles from supermarkets (300 RWF) not hotels.
Emergency Contacts
ButareAll emergency services in Rwanda are reached via 112. For non-urgent police assistance, call 118. Dial 114 for child protection. The Butare District Hospital (CHUB) on KN 10 Street handles medical emergencies directly. Mobile coverage is good but keep a local SIM charged.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Butare, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at St Vincent
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of Kigali — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk — pharmacy · Viva Branch Pharmancy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kigali (Nyabugogo bus station) → Butare (main bus stop)
💡 Catch express buses (Yasmin or Volcano) for a smoother ride. From Butare bus stop, take a moto (500 RWF) to Hotel Credo. Avoid pickpockets in crowded queues.
Kigali (any hotel or bus stop) → Hotel Credo, Butare
💡 Haggle in cash at Kigali's Nyabugogo taxi park. Avoid drivers offering 'tourist price' — negotiate down to 30,000-35,000 RWF if you're confident.
Kigali International Airport (KGL) → Hotel Credo, Butare
💡 Arrange direct with Hotel Credo reception; drivers often wait outside arrivals holding a sign. Confirm price before departure — no hidden surcharges.
Butare main bus stop → Hotel Credo, Butare
💡 Standard fare is 500 RWF — don't pay more. Always bring a helmet if offered; not all drivers carry one. Ask for 'Credo hotel' and they'll know exactly where.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at St Vincent?
Request rooms facing the courtyard or garden, as these are typically quieter and offer more privacy than those facing the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at St Vincent?
Skip rooms next to the stairs, lift, or kitchen—these tend to have foot traffic, clatter, and early-morning noise.
Is St Vincent noisy?
Check if the hotel hosts events or has a generator—both can add noise at odd hours. Ask at reception before booking.
Which rooms have the best views at St Vincent?
Ask for a room at the back of the hotel—gardens or hillsides are common in Butare and give a calmer outlook than the road.
What are insider tips for staying at St Vincent?
1. Book directly by phone—smaller hotels often offer discounts or upgrades not listed online. 2. Ask about a fan or portable heater in advance; air conditioning is rare in 3-star properties, so temperature control depends on the room.
What time is check-in at St Vincent?
Check-in at St Vincent is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does St Vincent have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed ~10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload. Login via room number and surname – no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at St Vincent?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near St Vincent?
A plate of brochettes with chips from a local kiosk runs about 2,000 RWF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from St Vincent?
Motorbike taxis (motos) cost 300-500 RWF per ride within town; from Kigali airport, take a shared minibus to Nyabugogo then to Butare for about 3,000 RWF total.
When is the best time to visit Butare?
June and July: long dry season, clear skies, comfortable daytime temperatures around 24°C. August is also good but busier with local holidays.
Top Attractions in Butare
💡 Mass is at 10:00 on Sundays—the choir is excellent. Weekday visits are fine but the church may be locked; ask at the adjacent parish office.
💡 Go before 10:00 for the best produce and fewer crowds. Haggling is expected but start gently. Avoid the meat section if you're squeamish.
💡 Walk through the main gate and head left to the admin block—ask at reception to see the mural in the old assembly hall. Weekday mornings are quietest.
💡 The gate is often unattended. If locked, ask at the nearby National University of Rwanda campus office. No facilities—bring water.
💡 Entry is 8,000 RWF (about £6). The guided tour is essential and takes 90 minutes. Go early to avoid school groups.