Rwanda officially stepped into the future of cultural tourism with the introduction of virtual reality (VR) tours in its museums. This cutting-edge technology is set to revolutionize how locals and international visitors experience Rwanda’s rich history and cultural heritage, offering a modern twist to the traditional museum visit.

The move was launched on Saturday, August 30, at the National Ethnographic Museum located in Huye District, in partnership with Innorios, a local tech company that focuses on implementing VR solutions with an aim to make cultural exploration more accessible and engaging.

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Understanding how VR works

The VR tours allow users to explore the depths of Rwanda’s museums from anywhere in the world.

By donning VR headsets, visitors can be virtually transported to iconic locations within the museums, offering a 360-degree view and an immersive experience that feels almost as real as being there in person.

This initiative aims to make Rwanda’s history accessible to a global audience, especially for those who might not have the opportunity to visit the country physically.

According to Chantal Umuhoza, the Curator at Rwanda Cultural and Heritage Academy, the new move provides two distinct types of virtual tours: - a self-guided 360 degrees’ virtual tour accessible through smartphones and computers, and a more immersive VR experience using headsets.

An individual can visit the museum through the Rwanda Heritage website at https://ethnographic.rwandaheritage.gov.rw/. After the site loads, you’ll see a blue-colored section at the top where you’re required to click and visit the National Ethnographic Museum.

While waiting for it to open, you’ll be asked whether you want to enable sound featuring instrumental Inanga music by clicking ‘YES’ for audio or ‘NO’ to mute the sound. From there, you can follow the foot icons that guide you through the different areas of the museum,” she explained.

For those who prefer a shortcut, there&039;s a museum master plan available at the top of the page. This image shows various gallery rooms. When you click on a symbol within one of these rooms, it provides multiple options for selecting which room to visit.

"Inside the rooms, you’ll see an ‘I’ icon that you can click for more information about a specific exhibit. Additionally, there’s an electronic photo symbol that allows you to view more images from that gallery. At the bottom of the room, signs direct you to different sides of the space, allowing you to navigate as you wish,” she added.

Another way to explore the museum is through the YouTube platform, where you can search for the National Ethnographic Museum. There, you’ll find short videos, including one with a guide who uses sign language for inclusive engagement.

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Upgrading accessibility and education

One of the key benefits of these VR tours is increased accessibility. Schools across Rwanda and beyond can now incorporate these virtual experiences into their curricula, giving students an engaging way to learn about Rwanda’s cultural heritage.

Umuhoza explained that strong internet access is required to use the platform anytime and anywhere.

"RCHA has an outreach program where we will tour the country with VR headsets, allowing students to experience the museum virtually without needing to access it through gadgets or the RCHA website.”

A blend of technology and tradition

While the VR tours are a nod to the future, they are deeply rooted in Rwanda’s rich traditions. The digital reconstructions of historical sites and artifacts are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the virtual experience remains authentic and true to the spirit of the original exhibits.

The technology used is designed to enhance, rather than replace, the traditional museum experience, encouraging more people to visit the physical sites as well.

Looking ahead

As these VR tours roll out across Rwanda’s museums, there is excitement about the potential impact on the country’s tourism sector.

"By making Rwanda’s cultural heritage more accessible and engaging, these virtual experiences are expected to attract a new wave of tech-savvy tourists,” Umuhoza said.

"This initiative started at the National Ethnographic Museum and will soon expand to include all museums across the country. While it won’t change the revenue collected, the primary goal is not to make money but to sustainably preserve our heritage."