Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri, is the largest town in Rwanda’s Northern Province and the country’s main gateway for mountain gorilla trekking. Set at the base of the Virunga Mountains with five volcanoes visible from town, Musanze combines a busy local market town with the practical role of staging point for nearly every visit to nearby Volcanoes National Park.
The town at a glance
- Rwanda’s largest town in the Northern Province, with a population of over 80,000
- Formerly known as Ruhengeri under an earlier administrative name
- About a 30-minute drive from Kinigi, the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park
- Overlooked by five of the Virunga volcanoes, including Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Gahinga, Bisoke and Muhabura
Gateway to the gorillas
Nearly all gorilla trekking permits are collected and briefings held at Kinigi park headquarters just outside Musanze, making the town the natural overnight base before and after a trek. A wide range of accommodation, from simple guesthouses to high-end lodges with volcano views, has grown up around this role, along with tour operators, guides and equipment rental serving trekkers heading into the park.
Musanze Caves
Beyond its role as a gorilla gateway, Musanze is also known for the Musanze Caves, a roughly two-kilometre volcanic tunnel system formed by lava flows from ancient eruptions some 65 million years ago. Guided walks through the caves pass bat colonies and unusual rock formations, offering an easy half-day activity for visitors with time before or after trekking.
Things to do
- Basing a mountain gorilla or golden monkey trek at Volcanoes National Park from Musanze
- Exploring the Musanze Caves and their bat colonies
- Visiting the town’s central market for local produce and crafts
- Arranging cultural village visits or hikes in the surrounding volcanic foothills
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kigali, about two to three hours
- A wide range of accommodation is available, from budget guesthouses to upscale lodges
- Best visited alongside a Volcanoes National Park itinerary rather than as a standalone stop
Musanze offers a convenient, well-equipped base for exploring Rwanda’s premier gorilla trekking destination. Offmap Safaris can build a full Volcanoes National Park itinerary around a stay here. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and visa and entry requirements.