Things and Activities to do in Musanze Rwanda
Things and Activities to do in Musanze Rwanda – Tour Guide
Formerly known as Ruhengeri, Musanze is popular as a hassle-free capital city and tourist hub in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Not only is it an administrative and commercial services hub but also one of the must-visit tourist areas you should consider while on Rwanda safari holiday. Musanze lies at a close proximity to the famous Volcanoes National Park a home to some of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas and also 5 of the 8 magnificent Virunga Volcanoes. Its strategic location presents visitors with plenty of tourist activities while on a Rwanda safari.
Musanze has plenty of things for you to explore, enjoy and experience on Rwanda safari ranging from its breathtaking sceneries, unique history, wildlife to scenic volcanoes. It sprawls up-to about 530sq.kms of land, occupying approximately 15 sectors. It serves as the gateway to Volcanoes National Park which is 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s premier mountain gorilla trekking safari park. While in Musanze, the top 6 tourist activities to do on Rwanda safari holiday include;
Things and activities to do in Musanze Rwanda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly one of the best and top 6 tourist activities one should expect to do in Musanze post-covid-19 pandemic. It is the most sought-after safari activity offering a lifetime experience to tourists on Rwanda safari. Gorilla trekking entirely involves navigating through the jungles to observe the endangered mountain gorillas, have an in-depth learning about their daily behavior and later, take plenty of their pictures.
To participate in a trek to view mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you must have a valid gorilla trekking permit. Each gorilla permit costs $1500 per person. Note, Volcanoes National Park is among the 4 parks where mountain gorillas can only be sighted. The park today hosts 10 habituated gorilla families; the Susa A, Hirwa, Agashya, Bwenge, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi (Susa B), Kwitonda and Ugenda.
Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkeys are some of the stunning creatures one should expect catching a glimpse on Rwanda safari in Volcanoes National Park. Consider adding golden monkey tracking on your bucket-list tourist activities to do in Musanze Rwanda and you definitely won’t regret in life. Presently, about 2 groups of golden monkeys have been habituated and open for tourism in Volcanoes National Park. Each golden monkey tracking permit can be obtained at US Dollars 100.
Dian Fossey tomb hike
Need to something unusual? If yes, then try the Dian Fossey tomb site hike and have an in-depth exploration about Dian Fossey’s mountain gorilla conservation legacy. She was a great primatologist and the first to conduct a study about the endangered mountain gorillas that today remain fewer than 1063 worldwide.
Dian Fossey isn’t only credited for saving the lives of mountain gorillas from poachers but she also established Karisoke research centre which aided and still helps research activities in Volcanoes National Park. She also founded the Digit Fund which presently runs as Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.
Musanze Cave exploration
With plenty to offer, Musanze cave exploration is one unusual experience and one of the top 6 tourist activities you should expect to do in Musanze Rwanda. The caves date back to more than a million years and extend about 2kms. History has it that the caves were once used by Kings of Rwanda as their shelter especially while fighting with the neighboring tribes.
It takes hikers about 3 hours to complete exploring the Musanze caves. To engage in Musanze cave exploration, you require US Dollars 50. These caves are reachable about 22kms from Musanze Town just at the base of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s best gorilla trekking safari park.
Iby’Iwacu cultural village walk
Incorporating your gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park with visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village lets you have the most memorable safari experience. You will be entertained by local residents with the best Rwanda dances, music and also discover the different traditions, cultures, lifestyles among others.
Bird watching in Musanze
A visit to Musanze has everyone on Rwanda safari covered and bird watching is one of the top 6 tourist activities you should tryout in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is one best birding spot any birder should expect to explore and there are over 200 bird species to identify including among others the Grauer’s swamp warblers, Rwenzori turaco, dusky crimson wing, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, Archer’s ground robin chat, red faced woodland warbler and many more. Other birding sites around Musanze district include the Twin Lakes; Lake Burera and Ruhondo, River Mukungwa, River Mpenge and Rugezi swamp.
Other exciting activities to don while at Musanze area include visit to Lake Burera and Ruhondo, Volcano hiking, visit Imbazi orphanage, city tour in Musanze, canoe ridding on Mukungwa River, visit the Buhanga eco-park to mention but a few.
Accommodation in and around Musanze
The nearby accommodation facilities at Musanze include Bisate Safari Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, La Locanda, Virunga Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and many others.
Getting to Musanze
Musanze/Ruhengeri can easily be reached by road approximately 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali via scenic countryside landscape characterized by beautiful rolling hills. You can take a bus or hire a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser/Safari Van.