Town · Northwestern Rwanda
Musanze
The base town for Volcanoes National Park, and Rwanda's main gorilla-trekking gateway.
How to get there
By road from Kigali, roughly two hours north.
What to find
Lodges of every tier clustered near the park entrance, and access to the Musanze Caves.
Overview
Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri, is the town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes and the base for Volcanoes National Park. It's a lively market town with fresh mountain air and views of the volcanoes on clear days.
Beyond gorilla trekking, the area has lava-tube caves, twin crater lakes and strong community tourism. It's also home to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus, a modern conservation and research centre.
Highlights
- The gateway to gorilla and golden monkey trekking
- The Musanze caves, formed by ancient lava flows
- The twin lakes, Burera and Ruhondo
- The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus
- Cultural villages and community projects
Things to do
Musanze caves
A guided walk through the lava-tube caves.
Twin lakes
Boat trips and views of the volcanoes.
Cultural visits
Local dance, crafts and farming experiences.
Best time to visit
All year.
Getting there
About 2 hours by road north of Kigali.
Where to stay
Hotels in town and lodges near the park entrance at Kinigi.
Volcanoes National Park & Musanze
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Rwanda →
Good to know
- Spend a day exploring the area after your trek.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
From Musanze
Places to visit from Musanze
Drive times are approximate. Look up another city.