Musanze Town is a vibrant town and tourism hub in close proximity to Volcanoes National Park within the Northern Province of Rwanda. The mountainous town is found at the backdrop of the magnificent Virunga Volcanoes especially Sabyinyo and Muhabura although Mount Gahinga, Bisoke and Karisimbi also have their boundaries within the district and is also popular for being an integral part within the Province and country as a whole due to the numerous attractions.
Musanze Town- Photo credit:- The New Times
The town is one of the largest towns in the country and undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination in Rwanda owing to the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park attracting thousands of tourists annually. The town is Musanze is only 2 hours’ drive from Kigali City and about half an hour to Kinigi (Headquarters of Volcanoes National Park) where most activities of the park including gorilla trekking in Rwanda, golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey grave hike, and volcano hiking and birding begin from.
Interesting things to see and do while in Musanze town.
Numerous tourist activities are available to be enjoyed by tourists visiting the town of Musanze and they include; gorilla trekking within Volcanoes National Park. It’s obvious that this gorilla trekking destination is found in the town and allows gorilla trekkers to spend one hour with any of the 12 habituated gorilla groups. With a gorilla permit ($1,500 per person) at hand, you will trek through the jungles of Volcanoes National Park.
The famous Musanze Caves are also found in the Town of Musanze and have for long been adored for being one of the most beautiful natural features in the Town. The Musanze Caves measure up to 2 kilometers long and adorned with lush vegetation at their entrance and their interior are made up of natural stairs. The 65 million year Caves offers shelter to numerous bats, bird species and reptiles especially snakes.
It is through your visit to Musanze town that you will be able to visit the Five Virunga Volcanoes found in Volcanoes National Park. Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga and Muhabura Volcanoes have their borders in Rwanda and can be hiked through your visit in town called Musanze. This is unique for its friendly people as well as cultural diversity and visitors who visit this beautiful town are introduced to the unique way of life of the people, their invigorating traditional dances and delicious local foods. Purchasing souvenirs during your safari will keep memories of your visit to Musanze town alive. One of the popular cultural villages you can visit within this town is Nkotsi village found at only 7 kilometers south-west of this town of Musanze.
The Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo are a stone throw away from the town and perfect for vacation getaways to relish the cool breeze of the Lake and spot some of the interesting bird species found in Rwanda. Indeed the country at large is a remarkable place with a variety of illuminating adventure activities including the Chimpanzee trek safari in Nyungwe forests plus the Colobus monkey trek experience. Or wake up to a perfect visit of the tea plantains in Nyungwe and learn the art of picking leaves and trying it out on your won.