Top activities and attractions in and around Ruhengeri, Musanze Rwanda
Top activities and attractions in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is One of the nicest cities in Rwanda, Musanze got its name when the country decided to renounce most of the names of its cities in an attempt to eradicate the terrible memories of the violent 1994 Genocide that claimed thousands of lives. Although some people still refer to Musanze as Ruhengeri, originally it was Ruhengeri and up to today some people have failed to adapt its new name “Musanze.” Whichever way, both names are well known. Because of its unique tourist attractions including National parks like Volcanoes National Park, memorial sites, administrative areas, etc., Musanze / Ruhengeri is located in the northern part of Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills and is regarded as the best place to visit on a safari to Rwanda. This page explores the top activities and attractions in Ruhengeri/Musanze Rwanda.
Top things to do and see in Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda
Trekking on gorillas One of the top activities and sights in and around Ruhengeri, Musanze Rwanda is gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park. Because Volcanoes National Park offers so many tourist attractions including wildlife species, memorial sites, hills and many more, it is the most visited park in Musanze/Ruhengeri and Rwanda at large. A visit to Musanze / Ruhengeri in incomplete not unless you participate in a breath-taking gorilla trekking excursion at Volcanoes National Park since the park stand close by Musanze city. Since only Rwanda’s national park possesses the threatened mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park has actually always been the most popular activity among many visitors from all walks of life. There is Mgahinga national park that hosts just one habituated mountain gorilla family and finally Virunga national park in Congo that also harbors the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The rest of the mountain gorillas are trekked in Uganda with in Bwindi impenetrable national park which has the largest population of these threatened species of gorillas.
Among the best things to do and see in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is birding. From several birding locations, Musanze/Ruhengeri is still a stunning location to see several bird species. Inside Volcanoes National Park, along Rivers like Mukungwa, in the forests, along the lakes, next to the swamps and many more, some of the greatest places to see birds while I n Musanze /Ruhengeri is. See the species of woodland birds, aquatic birds, species native to Albertine rift, many more.
Hiking Dian Fossey grave: Still a fascinating activity on the list of the best things to do and see in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda. But until they reach the top, hikers are expected to be physically fit and ready to labor over challenging terrain. The name Karisoke comes from the Dian fossey cemetery she built between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke at Karisoke Research Centre. Before her death, Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who trained gorillas and made them her best friends then battled the poachers until the same poachers robbed her life but up to now, her grave has been kept well as a tourist attraction to keep her in memories for her great work done in preservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in the entire virunga massif. in a lucky day, hikers could find themselves in front of the gorillas and various species living in Rwanda’s Virunga Massif.
Discovering Buhanga Eco Park: Also inclusive among the top activities and attractions in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is this Eco Park. Nestled in the middle of Buhanga woodland, Eco Park is a holy site with a quite lovely past. According to history, the ancient Rwandan monarchs were always taken to be blessed by the gods of the forest, bathed in spring water and then crowned at this park. Visiting Buhanga Eco Park lets visitors discover all the special features in the forest, including caverns and many more, therefore enhancing their knowledge of Rwandan history.
Several visitors on a Rwanda safari especially in Musanze / Ruhengeri usually enjoy a visit to Ibyiwacu cultural village in the evening after either trekking the gorillas or golden monkeys to buy the souvenirs, offer a tip to the locals, and visit the local art gallery among others in the village. One of the top things to do and see in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is also visiting the Ibyiwacu traditional village. Visiting this village lets visitors meet the native Rwandese for a cultural retreat featuring breath-taking cultural dances and drama. Originally hunters and poachers, the local Rwandese people became sensitive about the benefits of primates and wildlife in general later on. Currently, they also assist in conservation efforts to make Rwanda a better environment for both species and visitors. The residents get money to keep them going by showing and selling their handcrafted goods.
Among the best things to do and see in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is golden monkey tracking, which is carried out only in Volcanoes National Park. One of the most daring safaris available in Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda allows primate enthusiasts to spend one hour with the rare, distinctive and endangered species golden monkeys as they leap over on tree branches joyously waving their tails. Since golden monkeys travel in groups rather than gorillas, tracking them is more exciting than hiking. Apart from Rwanda, golden monkeys can also be followed in Uganda with the Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Visiting the twin lakes of Burela and Ruhondo: Research of the Twin lakes of Burela and Ruhondo is yet another exciting activity to include on top things to do and see in and surrounding Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda. Twin refers to these two lovely lakes since they are somewhat close to one another. While at these twin lakes, visiting the islands on a canoe ride, birding, village walks and many more activities abound along these lovely lakes and the surrounding areas, allowing one to enjoy the cool breath from the lakes and view stunning scenery.
Another amazing activity to do and view in and around Musanze/Ruhengeri is Volcano hiking, conducted in Volcanoes National Park. Situated in Virunga massif with eight volcanoes, Karisimbi Mountain, Sabinyo Mountain, Muhavura Mountain, and Mount Bisoke are the most hiked volcanoes in Ruhengeri. From the Ugandan side, some of these volcanoes are simply walkable.
See the Musanze caverns; they are among the best attractions to visit and see in and around Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda. Over a million years, musanze caves have existed; they were created by volcanic eruptions that resulted in the flow of molten lava under the ground, leaving the ground on top later on to solidify and form the tunnel-like caverns. A few of these caverns are long enough—up to roughly 20 kilometers. Since these caverns are somewhat gloomy inside, the ideal approach to investigate them is by means of the torch light.
Top activities and attractions in and around Ruhengeri, Musanze Rwanda
Top activities and attractions in and near Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda.
Riding a canoe alongside River Mukungwa: This also fits quite well on the list of the top attractions and activities in Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda. Though a few kilometers beyond Musanze/Ruhengeri, River Mukungwa is the ideal place to visit for a laid-back canoe trip following the Rwanda safari. For birders, this canoe trip on River Mukungwa provides the ideal habitat and lets visitors take some stunning pictures of the surroundings. Though it lasts three to four hours, this amazing sport is worth doing on a Rwanda safari in Musanze or Ruhengeri for as little as $ 40 per person.
Among the best things to do and see in and around Ruhengeri / Musanze Rwanda is also the exploration of the lovely city of Musanze formerly known as Ruhengiri. Spend lots of time walking about Musanze city; it’s a great way to visit many more eateries and get to other market places.
Making it to Musanze from Kigali
Either a public bus, a private car, or a tourist safari van can get one from the capital city of Rwanda two hours’ road travel to Musanze.
Where in Musanze/ Ruhengeri Rwanda should one stay?
While on Rwanda safari in Musanze/Ruhengeri, there are several places to stay ranging from luxury to midrange to budget. Among these lodges are Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate lodge, La Locanda, Virunga lodge and several more.
