Royal Museum for Central Africa image

Royal Museum for Central Africa

Museum Modern art museum Research institute

One of the Most Revieweds in Tervuren


Address

Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium

Website

www.africamuseum.be

Contact

+32 2 769 52 11

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (105) history (31) park (29) beautiful (27) visit (25) African (22) Congo (20) building (20) interesting (20) Africa (18)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Owen O. 10 months ago on Google
    This museum was originally built as a propaganda piece for King Léopold's colonial empire and has been repurposed in recent years. Some of the original decor from the colonial period is still there (including maps and statues) or is now covered up. The museum now contains a number of different exhibits on African culture, geography, traditions and wildlife of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. What's missing is a serious look at the millions of people who died in under the Congo Free State and the huge population decline that followed it. That is worthy of a museum itself and you won't get sufficient detail here. There's also no monument on the grounds or on site to the millions who died, were enslaved or the many who were mutilated. What you will find are a few colonial propaganda pieces or statues of Léopold. Go to this museum only if you are mildly interested in the Congo, its culture today or how old propaganda for colonisation operated.
    14 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jan V. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautifully renovated museum. The building itself is gorgeous with restored wall paintings. It’s a black page out of our country’s history, but they are not covering it up and tell it like it was, which is good. The exhibition itself is divided in different themes, with enough info to get the gist of it all, but not too much so it doesn’t become overwhelming. Combine the museum with a walk in the very nice park that surrounds it.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Christy D. 6 months ago on Google • 432 reviews
    Beautiful gardens, huge building. Colonial style, obviously. Inside the museum has been reinventing itself, with substantial attention for racism and how it is endemic and structural. The museum does not deny the painful history of Belgium in the Congo, nor did it throw the painful statues of historic figures or black men. Interestingly, all stuffed animals including a giraffe, elefant, several crocodiles, monkeys, etc are still in their historic exhibition as if time stood still. The thought that maybe we as humans should not put our fellow creatures in such humiliating position did not yet occur. Similarly, woman, no matter if they are African or European, tend to be naked with a focus on their adorable bodies and not really for their brains or contribution to society.....

  • 4/5 Christina M. 11 months ago on Google
    Beautiful museum with plenty of info about African tribes but they didn't mention that Belgians were the colonists over there and they did all the atrocities they are mentioning.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Antoine L. 3 years ago on Google
    We took a yearly subscription and go there very often with our young daughter. She is amazed by the fishes and the big animal section. The rest of the exhibition is very well organised too and interactive. This is for me one of the best museum in Brussels. And the park around is just magical.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Soutrik R. 2 years ago on Google
    A perfect museum to learn about Central Africa and its life. The museum is well organised in different sections giving the visitor a best shot of Central Africa’s rich culture and biodiversity. I am thrilled to get to know so many interesting stuffs on African life. The building itself is surrounded by beautiful park and lake so one can even enjoy some time outside. The tram station (line 44) is just outside the main entrance. A must visit museum in Brussels if you want to explore Africa.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexander F. 10 months ago on Google • 66 reviews
    The museum is located in a beautiful castle park and was reopened in 2018 in a new and modern style. It is located just outside the centre of Brussels and is easily accessible via metro line 1 Montgomery and then tram line 44 bus terminus. For luggage storage, you need either a 50 cent or a 1 euro coin. The museum attempts the difficult balancing act between European colonisation and African culture. Modern technology is also used. We liked it very much and can recommend it without reservation.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Thomas K. 5 months ago on Google • 17 reviews
    This is an interesting place and not just because of the history and culture on show but because of how they organised it. I first went there 10 years ago, and WOW! I was shocked. It was all presented in a very colonial view. “Bringing life to Africa”, it seemed almost racist. Belgiums history is a sour spot for most Belgians and the museum was a constant reminder. The museum owners decided to shut it off from the public a couple of years ago with the idea to modernise it. It opened again about three years ago and I must say, it was a big shock. They still have their towering windows and beautiful architecture on the outside, but on the inside it’s so very different. They built a new building to enter from that has a nice restaurant. The actual museum itself is now a more neutral view on the history but I found the items a bit boring. Overall a good place to take a trip with the family and nice to go and relax In the park after. Thomas
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Patrizia U. 5 years ago on Google
    The building is amazing modern and old next to each other. There is a lot of stuff here and it can be an information overload. I personally found it very hard to follow the logic of the layout. I guess I was not interested in the fauna and agricultural side of the exhibition. I was more interested in the colonization history of the Congo. It seems this museum is a token of apology maybe? I would have liked to understand more the influence of the west on today's Africa. I would recommend a guided tour maybe they can explain the flow of the rooms better because alone it's hard to follow.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 jos k. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Uncertainty. That is what this museum radiates. A beautiful and extensive collection but without vision and cluttered on display. Trapped between tradition and dealing with the crushing, historical responsibility. (Original) Onzekerheid. Dat is wat dit museum uitstraalt. Een mooie en uitgebreide collectie maar zonder visie en rommelig uitgestald. Gekneld tussen traditie en omgang met de verpletterende, historische verantwoordelijkheid.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harlem D. 4 years ago on Google
    We took our daughter to visit this museum yesterday and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful, life like wax statues that appeared to be 'watching' us. A bus load of eager school children on a school trip were being given a tour with a knowledgable guide who explained the exhibits and was very sensitive to their ages, letting them know they were safe and that everything was a a recreation in wax. They had a slave ship you could walk through with chained wax figures and written narrations of what it was like for the captured Africans in those conditions. Towards the end we were very emotional and I cried leaving the lynching exhibition. This is a place All people need to visit, but especially people of color. I plan to refer people to this museum and return myself in the future. At this time they are asking for donations to expand, so I ask that everyone be generous and donate as will I.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrae T. 5 years ago on Google
    Love the place! So much history in the building does really open your eyes. Makes you want to be a better person and help others also.But building does need a remodeling job soon. Maybe we can all donate when we leave at the box so they can fix it up. Thank you guys for the history. We will be back!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Michael A. 3 years ago on Google
    The staff must be motivated to work if they want this place to stay open.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Wouter A. 2 years ago on Google
    Can't stop thinking that all artifacts are stolen during the colonisation. Displaying this in fabulous luxury gained on the back of africa leaves a very bitter taste
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Keerthi J. 2 years ago on Google
    Renovated museum is more organized and easy to navigate. Children love most of it. The landing area is perfect with safes and a place to sit. Also the picnic room where kids can eat and recharge!😊
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chrissy D. 2 years ago on Google
    The Tervuren Africa Museum is an ethnography, anthropology and natural history museum located in Tervuren - Bruxelles. You can learn and see a lot of the Kongo and the colonial time, the treasures, history... It is really beautiful and detailed. The museum is near the beautiful Van Tervuren Park.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Daniel B. 5 months ago on Google
    Huge disappointment. Very difficult to get to, either via public trans or even a taxi. Entrance is a muddy dirt path you need to walk on so good luck if you have a suitcase, like me. Temporary exhibition is closed unless you make a personal appointment with the artist himself?! And then the museum is like a pamphlet as opposed to a book. I walked the whole of it in less than 45 mins, and that included reading just about everything I wanted to. I read several books about Stanley and King Leopold and the Belgian Congo fiasco. This whole period is crammed into one room that didn’t even tell the story (and I know the story). The rest of the museum briefly touches on lots of other areas- music, movies, minerals, all fine. But such little attention to the Belgians’ role in Central Africa. Glad I came to see for myself but I don’t recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 IPAUL T. 7 months ago on Google • 55 reviews
    Nice place to spend a day. They have some nice collections. Animals, clothing, reptiles, jewellery, music to name a few. Very colourful. Once you have finished the museum, you can walk around in the park. Its very beautiful and well maintained.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aly H. 7 months ago on Google • 36 reviews
    The collection has become a bit smaller but this museum continues to provide a wonderful environment for a family visit. Very well organised, clean and equipped with all what a young family needs. Ideally if you have a MuseumPass, so you can visit anytime for so many times in a year or
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rob V. 6 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    A wonderful museum that really caters to everyone's interests. The layout is easy to follow, the exhibitions are almost all present in French, English, Dutch, and German, and of course the location of the museum is absolutely exquisite. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, and what I also liked was that the number of things to see was just right - not so many that you lose interest, but just enough to satisfy your curiosity. I will definitely visit again and recommend this museum to everyone. If you plan to go on a Saturday, I'd say arrive by around 11:45 as it starts to get a bit more crowded from around 13:00. The only minus I have is that some of the displays were damaged or not functioning properly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Oana R. 4 years ago on Google
    An excellent experience that I loved. This museum is dedicated especially to the colonial period of Congo under Leopold II reign. There are multiple sections to visit from masks and costumes to music and rituals. I loved the animals area and the mineral cristals section. You can see lots of colourful pieces of rocks and realise what an amazing place we live in and which NEEDS to be PRESERVED. Good immersion into this beautiful continent life and environment to get much more aware about the diversity and the beauty of our Planet 🌏. Worth a visit for adults and kids!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Heleen R. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful museum with lots of information about central African culture, rituals and history. I spent 3 hours in it and was still not able to see everything. The only thing that is not touched upon enough is the bad influence of Belgium on its former colonies. Tickets are €12 for an adult and €4 for students. Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Zita S. 3 years ago on Google
    As a Museum there is no concept in it, you won't understand what they wanted to show you-even if there were in fact a lot of things to show...-. I would say, it is just a good collection.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Алина �. 3 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place!😊😍🤗👍
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Benjamin B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Renovation at great expense, for something not at all extraordinary. The old museum had a charm and a cachet that was perhaps a little old-fashioned, but more authentic. And from an educational point of view, we understood much better what the spirit of colonization was with the old museum; today, the presentation is "self-righteous" and aims more to make an image in the air of the colonial period than to explain it. (Original) Rénovation à grands frais, pour quelque chose de pas extraordinaire du tout. L'ancien musée avait un charme et un cachet peut-être un peu désuets, mais plus authentiques. Et d'un point de vue pédagogique, on comprenait beaucoup mieux ce qu'était l'esprit de la colonisation avec l'ancien musée ; aujourd'hui, la présentation est "bien-pensante" et vise plus à rendre une image dans l'air du temps de la période coloniale qu'à l'expliquer.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 PV L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Staging of the African pleurniche and boboisation of the Belgian colonial past. The most beautiful rooms are those which have not been renovated. (Original) Mise en scène de la pleurniche africaine et boboisation de passé colonial belge. Les plus belles salles sont celles qui n ont pas été rénovées.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J M. 4 years ago on Google
    I hadn't been here in years. Recently visited during a college sponsored trip. Upon entry, I was disappointed with the way the young lady conducted business in the ticket booth. She was not very professional and had little kids there with her. Not irritated by her having kids there because sometimes, as parents, we don't have a choice. Also don't know if this is a perk associated with working for a family owned business. I was more dissatisfied with her professionalism. Our tour guide was an elder named Nat Williams. He was charismatic and knowledgeable combined with deep Baltimorean charm. Ask for him when you book your next tour. A few other things that could stand improvement are the upkeep of the exterior of the building, the wax figures/exhibits could use some maintenance, and the gift shop needs to be up and running.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lisa D. 5 years ago on Google
    I've been to this museum twice and both visits were profound. Very educational... parts of US history that many want to forget but should never be forgotten. This visit began with a guide that spoke about the initial exhibits. He was awesome in his explanations. We were then ushered into a replica of a slave ship where me met one of the founders who gave details on this part of the museum. She was great and provided a feel for what it was like to be kidnapped and enslaved in this way... after that we were left to roam and read for ourselves. Most of the exhibits were well captioned. My issues were the crampness of the museum and the low budget feel... other than that it was very educational and interesting to see so many familiar faces in Wax.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lakisa C. 4 years ago on Google
    We came as a group and went on the Underground Railroad tour prior to visiting the museum. Our tour guide Mrs. Janice was phenomenal as she educated us during our tour to the Hampton plantation and orchard St Church. We are able to learn about historical landmarks in Baltimore and more about African Americans and our contributions to the world. This experience was very educational and has changed me forever!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shalonda M. 3 years ago on Google
    The last time I've been here I was a child now im married and brought my husband here. We have two completely different backgrounds and im glad he was here to get more educated on African American History ❤ Great Job Blacks In Wax !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 elephant l. 3 years ago on Google
    The place is beautiful I just feel like for certain wax figures they rushed on it like for instance the Dr King Jr statue. But the people were absolutely rude when we entered the building if you don’t like working you job don’t work there simple as that but don’t take it out on paying guests
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Margaret L. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome very informative. I really appreciate what my people endured for us. 🙏
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Evangelia S. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing collection in a renovated glorious building. You'll spend at least 3 hours there, there is so much to see and learn! The interactive sections should be improved though, headphones weren't working, screens were off, the virtual reality sets broken..And not enough staff to help the visitors.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pieter W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nicely restored, interesting exhibition educational, beautifully presented (Original) Mooi gerestaureerd, interessant expositie leerrijk, mooi gepresenteerd
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jean-Paul D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The park alone is worth the visit even in winter (Original) Le parc à lui seul vaut la visite même en hiver
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Athan G. 1 year ago on Google
    It is a way for the Belgium to ask sorry for the cruelties Leopold II made in Belgian Congo. It is recently renovated (2018) and it is very interesting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marek S. 1 year ago on Google
    Pros: incredibly large museum full of beautiful exhibits, parking in front of the museum for free, whole area is huge, toilets available, entrance fee is very satisfactory, English-speaking staff, huge spaces all around, many, many, many beautiful and informative exhibits, attractions for children included, there is even a children's corner, museum is clean, has several themed parts, realy realy nice, we will definitely come back, Cons: you need a few hours to go through it at all, otherwise good, nothing bad to say
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ev 7 months ago on Google
    >Apocalyptic vision of history and unfolding fates >Are some civilizations more suited to collapse than others but all postulated to experience cycles leading to decline just over variable periods of time? >King of BE, CIA assassination, US policy, fraud and corruption, and profiteering like cobalt mining without contributing to the tax basis have utterly burnt out most of any hope. >Did the last man or hominid of any particular line upon realizing his loss of blood and soil experience doom or simply not understand? >Good show explaining the nature of competition and social Darwinism >Des experts incontestés et une expérience sur le Congo belge
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 PoorBoy 8 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    The museum in its current state offers little of interest to normal people. Instead it has effectively been transformed into a politically-tinged moral lecture. See photos.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Brittney B. 1 month ago on Google • 32 reviews New
    Improvements have been made, and I appreciate the acknowledgement that many of the items were stolen but could still be better. Such a pity that there's absolutely NO place to buy a coffee or water unless you have cash or want to visit the overpriced bistro... come on, it's 2024. People need water...

  • 5/5 Maykol C. 3 years ago on Google
    It is not huge, but you can enjoy exclusive things and learn from "adquired" treasures from Africa which you will never see them in the origin.

  • 4/5 Lucian A. 5 years ago on Google
    Newest museum in the Brussels area. Easy to reach with a car but also by public transport. Combine it with a walk through the park and you have a full day activity

  • 4/5 Domingo D. 5 years ago on Google
    It's nice park ... for spent time together...

  • 3/5 Doycheva Tanya D. 4 years ago on Google
    great collection, well exposed but with insufficient information. Dangerously slippery floors.

  • 5/5 Desenepart M. 3 years ago on Google
    very beautiful, interesting and presented ina wonderful park

  • 4/5 thomas z. 4 years ago on Google
    After extensive renovation this highly charged museum is highly recommendable, careful, it is quite challenging to face colonial past and difficult ethical questions by nations, governments and people! Perception and manipulation may make any historical revisiting rather complicated and difficult to navigate - in the case of the museum in question here, a lot of thought and hindsight came to play and has resulted in a worthwhile positive outcome! The setting of this form palace is outstanding, making the trip even in unfavorable weather a great outing. The grounds alone are great for walks and airing out urban stiffness and tension. The exhibition space concept is organized with political correctness, without provocation and outright finger pointing! A bit didactic but nevertheless really interesting objects of the combination of aging stuffed animals mixed with mixed media info streams in the right pace allow discovery, thoughtful lingering and new understanding of a painful hard to understand exploitation by Europeans in the African continent. What is missing here is the remainder of the exploitation and or the ability to transform guilt into reconnection and forgiveness - naturally difficult subjects to actually demonstrate in a museum - however, the highlights were a guided tour by dancers that helped ease into the different spaces and the integration of the musical interpretation and influence of music as the most important transient source code in the rich cultural heritage of African dance and song as the root source to a great number of modern pop music and its interprets! Kudos to the curators, designers and historians - the wonderful passage underground with the carved canoe in dark wood symbolized the entry into this dark chapter of European consciousness, being pampered in the first rate restaurant beforehand, brings out our own hypocrisy in this showcase!

  • 4/5 David D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful museum well brought up to date! (Original) Merveilleux musée bien remis au goût du jour!

  • 5/5 Christiane L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice outdoor walk (Original) Belle balade extérieure

  • 5/5 ise M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent exhibition of artist Freddy Tsimba (Original) Magnifique expo de l'artiste Freddy Tsimba

  • 5/5 Amed S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Congo Museum in Tervuren (Original) Musée du Congo à Tervuren

  • 4/5 Pierre D. 3 years ago on Google
    Top...!

  • 5/5 Smællig C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nicely built museum with many historical objects from the African continent (Original) Mooi opgebouwd museum met tal historische voorwerpen uit het Afrikaanse continent

  • 5/5 Wim B. 3 years ago on Google
    Ok

  • 5/5 Astrid H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very interesting museum to learn more about the historical links of Belgium with Congo in particular. We have a great day if we add to the museum visit a walk in the neighboring park. Perfect for a family getaway in the pretty town of Tervuren. (Original) Un musée très intéressant pour en connaître davantage sur les liens historique de la Belgique avec le Congo notamment. On passe une très belle journée si on ajoute à la visite du musée une balade dans le parc avoisinant. Parfait pour une escapade familiale dans la jolie commune de Tervuren.

  • 1/5 Joachim D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very ugly museum, we asked for a guide but he got the wrong day !!!! There is nothing interesting, I really do not recommend this museum. (Original) Musée très moche,nous avons demandé un guide mais il s'est trompé de jour!!!! Il y a rien d'intéressant,je déconseille vachement ce musée.

  • 5/5 Davy J. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fascinating!! (Original) Boeiend!!

  • 5/5 Viorel C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very cute. (Original) Muito bonito.

  • 5/5 Chad R. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful time

  • 5/5 lore d. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice museum. Admiration on which colonialism is viewed with care. (Original) Zeer mooi museum. Bewondering waarop er met zorg naar kolonialisme gekeken wordt.

  • 4/5 Andrés O. 3 years ago on Google
    Cool museum, worth the trip

  • 3/5 Pat B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very informative. Continuous progress 👌🙏 (Original) Tres instructif. Progression continue 👌🙏

  • 5/5 Michael Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Must be visited! Pice of History.

  • 5/5 Udal Degli U. 3 years ago on Google
    No better place to learn how white people acted and keep acting wrongly against Africans and Africa

  • 5/5 GV 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very extensive museum, be sure to take your time when you come here. There is free parking and it is located outside the LEZ zone. (Original) Heel uitgebreid museum, neem er zeker je tijd voor als je hier naartoe komt. Er is gratis parking en het ligt buiten de LEZ zone.

  • 3/5 Renee M. 3 years ago on Google
    Although a little depressing, I've learned a little about what has happened. The wax figures were great but the story behind some was not. I did not like the lynching exhibit. And the gift shop was closed.

  • 5/5 Chelsea R. 3 years ago on Google
    Interesting and compelling history, the lynching exhibit was hard to get through.

  • 5/5 Alicia J. 3 years ago on Google
    This museum has terrific assets and is one you should definitely make a point to visit anytime you are in Baltimore. The slave ship and lynching exhibits are especially powerful.

  • 5/5 Remjo D. 3 years ago on Google
    I came before and It's quite nice and lovely. I plan on visiting again once this whole cvoid thing ends

  • 5/5 Teresa D. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing and informative Museum that every young person of African descent should visit

  • 5/5 Janet M. 3 years ago on Google
    Great experience to learn about our history

  • 5/5 Rob G. 3 years ago on Google
    I wasn't ready for the slave ship exhibit. It is incredibly well-presented and one of the most difficult exhibits I've ever seen, similar in nature to some on display in The Holocaust Museum. However, the fact that it's from our American history makes it hard to witness in a different way. The fact that it is so hard to look at it means it must be pretty important to do so. Other exhibits in the museum are uplifting and inspirational. It's packed with information and asks a lot of the viewer in terms of the amount of content presented. This is a very impactful museum that is worthy of your support and patronage.

  • 4/5 Atiya S. 3 years ago on Google
    A true gem! I would recommend everyone go at least once, prioritize a couple of hours to go through the museum and learn about many of our pioneers!

  • 5/5 Tina M. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing information. It looks like the details got better over the years. The slave boat was amazing and I think everyone needs to see it!

  • 2/5 B Z. 3 years ago on Google
    As much as i love to show support i gotta be honest. I was very disappointed.

  • 5/5 Anesty W. 3 years ago on Google
    it was really intresting for me i loved it

  • 5/5 Antoinette H. 3 years ago on Google
    Food was magnificent crabs 🦀 😋 steak salads ect

  • 4/5 Nyshika R. 3 years ago on Google
    Very Educational and I'm glad I had a chance to go. 4 ⭐'s Would have gave 5⭐'s if only the Wax people look a little more realistic. 🤷🏾‍♀️

  • 5/5 Maurice G. 3 years ago on Google
    What an amazing experience. PLEASE treat yourself to this amazing experience regardless of your race or ethnicity. Take the babies!!!

  • 5/5 Dee F. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a lovely experience. Very informative with or without guides.

  • 5/5 The G. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place love the exhibits and hopefully it'll get bigger

  • 3/5 Melvin T. 3 years ago on Google
    They need to update the building

  • 5/5 Denise W. 3 years ago on Google
    Acknowledge the impact that African American have had on America is awesome to see.

  • 5/5 NuttinBut S. 3 years ago on Google
    Truly a hidden gem! Looks small on the outside but pleasantly surprised by the use of space and number of exhibits. The exhibits on slavery are raw and uncut so it may be hard for some to look at, but it's our history. Cosmetically, it's no Smithsonian, but worth the trip.

  • 5/5 L R. 3 years ago on Google
    Very impactful experience; worthwhile!

  • 4/5 Wiwi W. 3 years ago on Google
    I really enjoyed it but my son was scared as hell😂

  • 5/5 Alexander H. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing fascinating place

  • 5/5 Label Me P. 3 years ago on Google
    This place is awesome! It's not the glitz and glamour you would behold at a bigger museum, but slavery wasn't about glitz and glamour now was it? This museum forces you to face facts. The many states that were involved in slavery, the amount hung in each state, the size of slave quarters, the fact that reproductive organs of slaves were kept as morbid souvenirs, the slain bodies of children. It's one of the best museums that I've visited, well worth the money.

  • 4/5 Monica P. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a special place to go learned good history parking is so-so. ?

  • 5/5 Janet H. 4 years ago on Google
    The artistic recreation of the slave ship is dreadful but interestingly created.Excellent informative source of information is stored for very vital historical account of our forefather. Special thanks to the founding fathers for creating such rich legacy. I employ everyone to go view, learn and experience it for themselves about their past.

  • 5/5 God b. 4 years ago on Google
    This was the reality awakening I needed, reading about our history is one thing and seeing it was a whole new experience for my life's growth.

  • 5/5 Donna A. 4 years ago on Google
    It was so interesting very enlighting I learn alot

  • 5/5 Diane S. 4 years ago on Google
    it's been awhile sense our last visit like 4 year it time to visit again for the new exhibits. we are on our way this February 2020

  • 5/5 Nairobia F. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to take family lots of history

  • 5/5 Renee M. 4 years ago on Google
    There is so much history in this museum right in the heart of the city. I'm born & raised here in Baltimore and this was my 1st time visiting, I will surely be returning with my children! Great exhibits.

  • 5/5 robeana t. 4 years ago on Google
    The Ridgley Plantation was very interesting

  • 5/5 cynthia k. 4 years ago on Google
    Its a great place to go but they really need people to go and to contribute the the continuation of our history being told.

  • 4/5 rossana jimena vicentelo l. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) There is an area that moves. He feels pride in race. They value every success or achievement achieved and represent it in their own way in the Museum. Awesome wax replicas. (Original) Hay una zona que conmueve. Se siente orgullo por la raza. Valoran todo éxito o logro alcanzado y lo representan a su manera en el Museo. Impresionante las réplicas en cera.

  • 3/5 trice b. 4 years ago on Google
    needs upgraded desperately and immediately

  • 5/5 Anna T. 3 years ago on Google
    Unexpected and very educational discovery. First, the park and the buildings are just magnificent. Further, the collection is very rich and diverse, and there are lots of explanations about the pieces and their history/rationale for being exposed.

  • 5/5 La Belgique i. 3 years ago on Google
    We did not visit it but it is really beautiful from the outside, and Tervuren Park is just amazing, a whole day of walking there is not too much. Furthermore, if you are hungry do not hesitate to go to Het Spaans Huis, il little restaurant in the center of the Park. The staff is really nice and prices are OK, just need to book a table to be sure of having seats.

  • 4/5 David M. 3 years ago on Google
    The museum is very nice and definitely way better after the renovation. It is very factual and it explains the history of Africa very well.

  • 5/5 Alex U. 4 years ago on Google
    First of all, it's such a beautiful tram (n°44) journey from the center to the museum that it's worth even if only for that. Second of all, you will see one of the most special trees in the world in a perfect park that surrounds the museum. Then the museum. It's fresh. It' s new. It deals with one of the most complex situations of the 21st century: ex colonial powers and their firmer colonies. In this case you have Belgium vs RD Congo and Rwanda and Burundi. You will have a wonderful day.

  • 5/5 Ignacio G. 3 years ago on Google
    The sections on animals and minerals are very nice.

  • 5/5 Mohamed A. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place... Beautiful park..

  • 3/5 Ibrahim T. 3 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place everybody needs to visit there

  • 5/5 erik 3 years ago on Google
    I has been alway a beauty , as old as new ... I had his charme . BUT before it was really a colonial museum which was not of this time it has transformed into an open museum with lots of information about the African culture (the languages , history, ...) and the influence it had/has on our culture . This in a positive was . You feel to go on holiday when you leave the museum . So well done to the curators who made it a positive museum .

  • 5/5 Nicky K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice location both inside and out. (Original) Mooie locatie zowel binnen als buiten.

  • 4/5 josy van r. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice for a walk in the park (Original) Mooi om in het park te wandelen

  • 5/5 Nel J. 3 years ago on Google
    Worth to bring your children. Anyway its free for below 18y of age, €12 for adult until 65y, €8 for senior citizen. As of 28.02 2021

  • 4/5 Swm'r 'N W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice museum located in an impressive building and beautiful park. It is a pity that there are no stairs on the plateau at the entrance to the museum. This can create dangerous situations. (Original) Mooi museum gelegen in een indrukwekkend gebouw en prachtig park. Jammer dat aan het plateau aan de ingang van het museum geen trappen voorzien zijn. Dit kan gevaarlijke situaties creëren.

  • 4/5 Pascale H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice museum ... Lots of explanations and information if the visit is unguided ... Just a pity that the felines are high up ... We don't always think of looking up! (Original) Très beau musée... Beaucoup d'explications et d'infos si visite non guidée... Juste dommage que les félins soient en hauteur... On ne pense pas toujours à lever le tête !

  • 5/5 Jose N. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I particularly loved meeting the big animals that look real! (Original) Eu particulamente,amei conhecer os grandes animals parecem reais!

  • 1/5 Marc De V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Never been since reopening! (Original) Jamais été depuis réouverture !

  • 4/5 michel o. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice place for walks. Heaps to see. The entire walk takes about 2.5 hours on the domain outside. When you do the museum yourself, it is sometimes a bit unfortunate that the Guide always apologizes for the colonial period. Mentioning it once is more than enough. The past is the way it is, we just have to learn from it for the future. (Original) Mooie plaats voor wandelingen. Enorm veel te zien. Ganse wandeling duurt toch wel ongeveer 2,5 uur op het domein buiten. Wanneer je het museum zelf doet is het soms wat spijtig dat de Gids zich telkens excuseert voor de koloniale periode. 1 maal vermelden is meer dan genoeg. Het verleden is zoals het is, we moeten hier gewoon lessen uit trekken voor de toekomst.

  • 4/5 Romy S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The building is absolutely beautiful! When the sun is shining, you can take beautiful photos in the park with the building as a background. The dome hall and the corridors are also beautiful! The park is also picco bello. I liked the temporary exhibition of Freddy Tsimba better than the museum (permanent) itself. There is a kind of dance floor at the Music department where you can dance African dance steps! Fun! It took us about 1h30 to view everything at leisure. Lockers are available for a 50 cent deposit. Cheap rate for students is great! (Original) Het gebouw is echt prachtig! Wanneer het zonnetje schijnt, kan je mooie foto's nemen in het park met het gebouw als achtergrond. Ook koepelzaal en de gangen zijn mooi! Het park is ook picco bello. De tijdelijke tentoonstelling van Freddy Tsimba vond ik beter dan het museum (permanent) zelf. Er is wel een soort van dansvloer bij afdeling Muziek waar je afrikaanse danspasjes kan dansen! Leuk! We hebben er ongeveer 1u30 over gedaan om alles op het gemak te bekijken. Er zijn lockers beschikbaar voor 50 cent waarborg. Goedkoop tarief voor studenten is zalig!

  • 1/5 Christophe de P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Our group of visitors were disappointed. A lot of poorly invested public money. The new modern part does nothing and must have cost the taxpayer a maximum. As for the old part, it has remained obsolete with its period showcases, one feels that it has been emptied of beautiful collector's items in favor of modern information of little interest and the technical means deployed are not successful. Little used elsewhere. It would have been better to entrust the management of the renovation to the non-profit organization Tempora, which is very good at creating an atmosphere as soon as visitors enter. Pity. Fortunately, some pieces from the collections are magnificent, the building and the Park are splendid. (Original) Notre groupe de visiteurs a été déçu. Beaucoup d’argent public mal investi. La nouvelle partie moderne n’apporte rien et a dû coûter un maximum au contribuable. Quant à l’ancienne partie, elle est restée désuète avec ses vitrines d’époque, on ressent qu’elle a été vidée de belles pièces de collection au profit d’informations modernes sans grand intérêt et les moyens techniques déployés ne sont pas réussis. Peu utilisés d’ailleurs. Il aurait mieux valu confier le pilotage de la rénovation à l’asbl Tempora qui est très forte pour créer une ambiance dès l’entrée du visiteur. Dommage. Heureusement certaines pièces de collections sont magnifiques, le bâtiment et le Parc sont splendides.

  • 5/5 ramiro g. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent

  • 4/5 Amale c. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Much better than before! (Original) Bien mieux qu'avant !

  • 2/5 Armand T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent building and setting (thank you Léopold II). For the rest, I preferred the old museum. When you want to tell the story, you have to stay in the context. (Original) Bâtiment et cadre magnifiques (merci Léopold II). Pour le reste, je préférais l'ancien musée. Quand on veut raconter l'histoire, il faut rester dans le contexte.

  • 5/5 P De W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful park, building located on a busy road. But once inside the free park ... wow. Violence avenues with old trees. (Original) Prachtig park, gebouw gelegen aan een drukke baan. Maar eens binnen in het gratis... park wauw. Geweld lanen met oude bomen.

  • 4/5 Bernard H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Architecturally speaking, it is a beautiful neo-classical building, built at the instigation of Leopold II. It is a witness to the grandeur and wealth of Belgium in the 19th century, thanks to the colony of Congo (Original) Architecturalement parlant, c'est un bel édifice néo-classique, construit à l'instigation de Leopold II. C'est un témoin de la grandeur et de la richesse de la Belgique au 19ème siècle, grâce à la colonie du Congo

  • 4/5 David M. 3 years ago on Google
    Discover the beauty of Africa...

  • 5/5 Gerald B. 3 years ago on Google
    Rich context of DRC culture

  • 5/5 Hemerick C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful 💕 💕 💕 (Original) Magnifique 💕 💕 💕

  • 5/5 rika v. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The renewed emblematic Grand Rotunda was particularly impressive. (Original) Vooral de vernieuwde emblematische Grote Rotonde was indrukwekkend.

  • 5/5 Luc P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) High-level temporary exhibition! (Original) Expo temporaire de haut niveau !

  • 5/5 Arno L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Definitely worth a visit !!! (Original) Zeker een bezoekje waard!!!

  • 5/5 Zsófia S. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful park!

  • 5/5 Marie-Pierre D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great exhibition Mabele eleki lola! I will come back to visit the permanent collections. (Original) Formidable expo Mabele eleki lola ! Je reviendrai pour visiter les collections permanentes.

  • 4/5 Masahwa P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good museum with lots of things to discover in a beautiful setting! Too bad the museum does not contain a common thread, it lacks a story. (Original) Très bon musée avec pleins de choses à découvrir dans un magnifique cadre! Dommage que le musée ne contient pas de fil conducteur, il manque une histoire.

  • 5/5 Nelly D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Magnificent museum, a real trip to Central Africa. Personally very kind. Thank you! (Original) Magnifique musée, véritable voyage en Afrique centrale. Personnellement très aimable. Merci!

  • 5/5 পুনঃপ্রেরণ করুন �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) One of the best I've been to. I noticed an individual and annual ticket option. Annual is good for residents or those who travel around the European Union frequently. Very well organized, good interaction and good service. English is necessary for a good use of the visit. It has a range of interesting information about animals and African culture. (Original) Um dos melhores que estive. Notei opção de ingresso individual e anual. Anual é bom para moradores ou quem circula pela União europeia com frequência. Muito bem organizado, boa interação e bom atendimento. O inglês é necessário para um bom aproveitamento da visita. Possui uma gama de informações interessantes sobre animais e cultura africana.

  • 5/5 Sam G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This artist is AWESOME. (Original) Cet artiste est GÉNIAL.

  • 4/5 Frederic A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Covid measures respected .... (Original) Mesures Covid respectées....

  • 3/5 Marlene J. 3 years ago on Google
    Not realy 1 central concept. However, the museum is trying to show you a lot of different things from economy to language, music, animals, leopold II. A little bit more structure should be nice & more info about leopold II's ridicoulous way of making belgiums economy big. Slippery floor!

  • 5/5 Dimitri P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A large, interesting and interactive museum in a magnificent palace built at the end of the 19th century and all in a pleasant and vast green space connected to the forest of Soignes. An incredible amount of information on the African continent (culture, history, nature, animals ...) In short, I recommend! (Original) Un grand musée intéressant et interactif dans un magnifique palais construit a la fin du XIXème et le tout dans un agréable et vaste espace vert relié a la foret de Soignes. Une quantité incroyable d infos sur le continent africain (culture,histoire, nature, animaux...) Bref je recommande !

  • 5/5 Gilles G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A beautiful place. (Original) Un magnifique endroit.

  • 1/5 Cris P. 3 years ago on Google
    A shame to see such an edifice without proper contents after closely 10yrs of so called renovation especially when you know some of the atrocities this country has perpetrated in Congo. A total lack of respect here. You need to come correct !

  • 5/5 Michèle VAN H. 3 years ago on Google
    Très belle exposition de l'art africain, J'ai visité une seconde partie du musée. Celle-ci exposait des oeuvres en métal fait en fourchettes, cartouches etc. expliquant l'esprit du forgeron artiste.

  • 4/5 Dirk M. 2 years ago on Google
    Not just a museum but a trip in history...and this time not just told one-sided. On top of that, a beautiful park and forests to walk in or just hang around if it's a sunny day.

  • 5/5 Barefoot C. 2 years ago on Google
    Located in the beautiful park easily accessible with the tramway Interesting exhibit covering the culture and art, the nature and the economy of the continent Big effort into converting the exhibit for a post colonial society Special mention for the successful new annexe for the entrance and a welcoming restaurant full of surprises

  • 5/5 Jyrki H. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting and well-kept exhibition on (Central) African history, traditions, colonization, fauna etc.

  • 5/5 Keith R. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting museum that focuses on the legacy of colonialism in Africa, as well as temporary African culture and ecology. The focus is on Belgium’s former colonies (Congo, Rwanda and Burundi) and sub-Saharan Africa.

  • 4/5 Abdou 2 years ago on Google
    Very nice museum, a lot of culture and traditions. The spaces are well managed according to the thema. You Can see a lot of species of animals and insects ! Really cool

  • 4/5 Gerda S. 2 years ago on Google
    It is and always has been an interesting museum. In the animals' department, it would be nice if the name of the animal were right in front of it I found that very sloppy. As to the whole, although we do have a map, it would be great if there were boards and arrows, explaining where you can go and what there is to see. I saw several abandoned maps, so I was not the only one who did not find it a great help. All in all, much more structure in what is shown would be welcome.

  • 5/5 Dalia D. 2 years ago on Google
    Together with 5 year old son we spent all the day here!! A museum is very well equiped, interesting to explore for kids and adults. For a us - the most attractive museum in Brussel

  • 5/5 Gaëlle R. 2 years ago on Google
    Very interesting museum! So glad I got to see the last day of the Human Zoo temporary exhibition.

  • 4/5 Hanna A. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place. The buildings are perfectly built. The glass building is the main one to buy the ticket ,12€ for adults. In the next floor you can find a cute restaurant to eat and drink and the to visit the muesum you can go down and then to the main building to see everything and learn how people live or in what kind of place they live through this exibition. The outdoor place is alsO beautiful and nice. There is self coffetaria which you can serve urself drinks! Dont miss it.

  • 5/5 Frank H. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best museums I’ve ever visited. The fact that they have refurbished the whole place, and re designed every exhibit to make sure proper historical context is given to each item is so, so important and really rare. They should be applauded for this. The museum’s exhibits are all really interesting, and the team of staff are amazingly helpful and informative. I would highly recommend going there

  • 5/5 Roons 2 years ago on Google
    Its Shows the Richness of Colonial Expeditions and its full of Details and Rainforest discoveries. We been touched to discover Afrika by drum, sipo wood, a journey of your own...in a 22.5 meter long tree boat. Smashing architecture and imagine a tree double as high as the koepel, wich is extroadinary.

  • 2/5 Labeed K. 9 months ago on Google
    The museum is actively trying to clean belgium deeds done in central Africa. There was none/limited information about rubber plantation of the consequence of that. I really believe that the museum did not really tell the whole history of Belgium involvement in Central Africa. okay intro to Belgium atrocities in central Africa.

  • 5/5 John W. 1 year ago on Google
    A fascinating visit to learn about Central African history, culture, life and industry. The renovation completed in 2018 allows more of the locals' perspective to be expressed. Congo has a tragic story some of which can be found here.

  • 4/5 Lucio R. 9 months ago on Google
    Great and deep presentation, definitely one of the best African museum but no access to audio equipment for individuals (only for groups) but absolutely not adequate apologies considering the size of genocide caused by Belgian rule with modern estimates ranging from 1.5 million to 13 million in less than 25 years.

  • 5/5 Eirini V. 1 year ago on Google
    A museum where you can learn history ( the crimes that where held in Congo ) learn about animal and plant of Africa, art and culture.

  • 4/5 Hans L. 1 year ago on Google
    Less is more. Now the exhibition is packed with items - so it’s now a bit too much to see. But the renovation of the museum was a good work. Beautiful place with beautiful surroundings.


Call +32 2 769 52 11 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair rental
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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