DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Save

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°1
Save (Rwanda)
ℹ️

Practical info — Save

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Explore the buildings of the very first Catholic mission in Rwanda, founded back in 1900.
  • The hill in Save has a magnificent panoramic view over the nearby city of Huye.
  • Visit the local school and health center that are part of the mission's long-standing legacy.
  • The site is easily reachable by motorcycle taxi (moto) from Huye in about 10-15 minutes.
  • Ask the residents about a guided visit to the mission's small historical archive.

🍽 Food

🍽
Passion fruit juice

Freshly squeezed juice from locally grown fruits, very refreshing during the afternoon heat.

🍽
Matooke (Steamed green bananas)

A staple food often served with a rich peanut or meat sauce in local homes and eateries.

🍽
Fresh tropical fruits

Look for local pineapples and bananas in the village market, known for being exceptionally sweet.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Woven Agaseke baskets

Local women's groups in Save create beautiful versions of these iconic Rwandan peace baskets.

🛍
Locally produced coffee

Purchase roasted coffee beans directly from the agricultural cooperatives in the area.

🧘
Mission station gardens

The quiet green spaces around the historic church are well-suited for resting in the shade.

🧘
Hillside trails with valley views

Walk along the paths away from the main settlements for complete peace and scenic views.

Save is a historical place in the Gisagara district of southern Rwanda, near the city of Huye. It is known as the site where the first Catholic mission in Rwanda was founded in 1900. The missionaries built a church, a school, and other buildings on a hill, thus laying the foundation for the spread of Christianity throughout the country. The historical significance of Save is immense, even though it is now overshadowed by Kabgayi and Kibeho as a religious center. The original buildings are still partially preserved and bear witness to the long history of the place. Save is located in an agricultural region where maize, beans, and cassava are mainly grown. The place is a quiet rural center that has preserved its historical and spiritual significance.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C212121202019202122212020
Rain mm11910715417010136204274124191131

Geography

Coordinates
-2.54110, 29.75250

Facts

  • Site of the first Catholic mission in Rwanda (1900).
  • Historical starting point of Christianity in the country.
  • Located near the city of Huye.
  • Some of the original mission buildings are still preserved.
  • Rural center with an agricultural character.
  • Important place for Rwandan church history.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

HuyeHuye5 km · WExplore →
Southern Amethyst MineSouthern Amethyst Mine6 km · EExplore →
Rock of KamegeriRock of Kamegeri6 km · EExplore →
NdoraNdora6 km · WExplore →
Huye Poultry FarmHuye Poultry Farm9 km · WExplore →
Gisagara Peat Power PlantGisagara Peat Power Plant11 km · NWExplore →
Ku Ndaro CavesKu Ndaro Caves11 km · SExplore →
Huye Banana PlantationHuye Banana Plantation12 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Save (1)

Save, Rwanda📍 landmark

Settlement in Rwanda, noted for its historical significance and surrounding landscape. The area is rural in character.

Frequently asked questions

What characterizes Save?
Save is known for its historic church and significance as an educational center.
Is the place easily accessible for tourists?
Yes, the town is near major roads and well accessible by local transport.
How long is a visit sufficient for?
A few hours are completely sufficient to see the church and center.
Are there restaurants in Save?
There are small local food stalls and restaurants serving simple dishes.
What is the best travel time?
The drier months offer the best conditions for a relaxed trip.
Save: where is it located?
Save is located in Rwanda.
Save: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Save: why is it worth visiting?
Save is a historical place in the Gisagara district of southern Rwanda, near the city of Huye.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Africa
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Africa
More places in Rwanda →

Nearby cities

Kabgayi — Save (Rwanda)
Kabgayi
The historical epicenter of the Catholic Church in Rwanda houses a monumental cathedral and many schools.
Muhanga — Save (Rwanda)
Muhanga
A major commercial hub between Kigali and the western and southern provinces of the country.
Huye — Save (Rwanda)
Huye
The intellectual capital in the south houses the national university and the impressive ethnographic museum.
Ndora — Save (Rwanda)
Ndora
A bustling center of agricultural trade in the Gisagara district, where coffee beans are primarily traded.
Nyamagabe — Save (Rwanda)
Nyamagabe
This town borders the Nyungwe National Park and is heavily characterized by timber and tea production.
Nyanza — Save (Rwanda)
Nyanza
The traditional heart of the former Rwandan kingdom preserves the historic palace complex of the monarchs.
Ruhango — Save (Rwanda)
Ruhango
A growing commercial town on the main road south, known for its large cassava processing plants.
Gisagara — Save (Rwanda)
Gisagara
A significant location in the southeast of the Southern Province, where large peat power plants contribute to the national power supply.
🗺️
Kansi
This peaceful southern community is heavily influenced by artisanal banana wine production and traditional pottery.
Mugombwa — Save (Rwanda)
Mugombwa
A significant location due to the UNHCR refugee camp, which has a strong international humanitarian presence.
Kibeho — Save (Rwanda)
Kibeho
World-famous as the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition site on the African continent.
Nyaruguru — Save (Rwanda)
Nyaruguru
A high-altitude settlement in the deep south, bordering the Nyungwe National Park and the neighboring state of Burundi.
Kamonyi — Save (Rwanda)
Kamonyi
The urban area acts as an important link between the capital region and the deep south of the country.

History & landmarks

Ntarama Genocide Memorial — Save (Rwanda)
Ntarama Genocide Memorial
A former Catholic church south of Kigali where five thousand people sought refuge and were killed in 1994.
Nyamata Genocide Memorial — Save (Rwanda)
Nyamata Genocide Memorial
A memorial in a former church in the Bugesera District demonstrating the brutality of the 1994 genocide and the failure of churches as sa…
Rusumo Bridge — Save (Rwanda)
Rusumo Bridge
A strategically important international bridge over the Akagera River on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania near the Rusumo Falls.

More places

Muhanga Mining Region — Save (Rwanda)
Muhanga Mining Region
A major area for the extraction of cassiterite, wolfram, and coltan.
🗺️
Nyabarongo I Hydroelectric Power Station
A large hydroelectric plant on the Nyabarongo River to meet national energy demand.
Ntarama Church Memorial — Save (Rwanda)
Ntarama Church Memorial
Another church that became the scene of brutal murders and now serves as a national memorial.
Nyamata Church Memorial — Save (Rwanda)
Nyamata Church Memorial
A Catholic church where thousands of people sought refuge and were murdered during the genocide.
🗺️
Mbyo Reconciliation Village
A historically important village project where genocide survivors and perpetrators live together after a reconciliation process.
🗺️
Ruli Wolfram Mine
A significant mine for the extraction of wolfram, a strategic hard metal.
Rwanda Children's Farm — Save (Rwanda)
Rwanda Children's Farm
An educational farm where kids learn how to care for animals and plants.
Lake Muhazi — Save (Rwanda)
Lake Muhazi
An elongated lake that is an important inland water body in Rwanda.