Region
Musanze
A great base for gorilla tracking and exploring Volcanoes National Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Massif in Rwanda’s popular northwest, Musanze is a buzzing city known as the gateway to nearby Volcanoes National Park. Visitors planning to track the area’s famous mountain gorillas might make Musanze their base, as the city is only 13 km away from the park’s Kinigi headquarters, and has many accommodation options, in addition to various restaurants and a thriving and vibrant nightlife. Other attractions in the city include the Musanze Caves, a cave system that is imbued with local significance and the home of a sizeable bat colony. The main cave is quite the sight, with shafts of coloured light filtering through the cathedral-like space.
Highlights
1
Take a guided tour of Musanze’s dramatic underground caves.
2
Head out to Volcanoes National Park to track its famous gorillas.
3
Hike to one of the eponymous volcanoes located in the park.
4
Visit the Burera and Ruhondo lakes east of the city
5
Pop in at the Africa Rising Cycling Centre to meet Rwanda’s cycling team.
6
Explore the biodiverse hidden gem that is Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient Rwandan coronation site.
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Best time to go to Musanze
Best
Good
Acceptable
Musanze has a tropical climate and experiences comfortable temperatures throughout the year. The most pleasant time to visit the city is during the winter months from June to September, when days are dry, sunny, and comfortable. Gorilla tracking is best done during the 2 dry seasons (December to March and June to September) when the terrain is easier to traverse. The area also experiences 2 rainy seasons, from September to November and March to May.