Musanze
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At a glance
- Country
- Rwanda
- Region
- Northern Province
- Population
- 100,000
- Best time to go
- June to September, December to February
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Kigali International (KGL)
- Coordinates
- 1.50°S, 29.63°E
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Overview
Musanze, still often called by its old name of Ruhengeri, is a small, bustling market town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes. The town itself is modest, but the setting is spectacular, with cone-shaped peaks rising out of the mist.
Nearly everyone comes for the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Permits are limited and need booking well ahead, but the hour you spend with a gorilla family is unforgettable.
Things to see
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Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0 Volcanoes National Park
The Rwandan side of the Virunga range, a forest of bamboo and giant lobelias on the slopes of extinct and dormant volcanoes.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Joseph Lionceau, CC BY-SA 4.0 Musanze Caves
A long lava tube cave formed by volcanic eruptions, explored with a guide.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Serge, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lakes Burera and Ruhondo
The twin lakes below the volcanoes, best seen on a boat trip or from the hillside road between them.
Things to do
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Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deepphoto/ d_proffer, CC BY 2.0 Gorilla trekking
Hike through farmland and forest to spend an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Find tours -
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 Golden monkey trekking
A gentler trek to find these playful, orange-backed monkeys in the bamboo forest.
Find tours -
Photo: Nickolayvladim, CC BY-SA 3.0 Hike to Dian Fossey's grave
A steep climb to the site of the Karisoke research camp, where the primatologist is buried among the gorillas she studied.
Find tours
Where to stay
Musanze town
Good-value guesthouses and hotels, with restaurants and the market nearby.
Hotels in Musanze townKinigi
Lodges close to the park headquarters, ideal for an early start on trek days.
Hotels in Kinigi
Getting around
Moto-taxis and taxis get around town. For treks, you'll need a driver or tour operator to reach the park headquarters at Kinigi.
Buses from Kigali's Nyabugogo station take around two to two and a half hours on a scenic mountain road.
When to go
The dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, make for easier, less muddy trekking. The volcanoes are cool and can be wet at any time, so pack a rain jacket and warm layers.
Plan your trip to Musanze
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.