Musanze, once called Ruhengeri, is the busy market town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes and the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Most travellers pass through on their way to the lodges near Kinigi, but the town rewards a few hours of your time.
Its market is one of the liveliest in the north, full of potatoes, beans and bright fabrics. Just outside town, the Musanze caves, a long lava tube, can be explored with a guide, and the Red Rocks cultural centre offers a warm introduction to local crafts, farming and traditions.
The Virunga volcanoes rise directly behind the town, often wrapped in cloud, with terraced farmland and eucalyptus below.
Activities here
Musanze is high and cool, with daytime temperatures of around 18 to 24°C and cold nights. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains from October to November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | 12 | 100 |
| Feb | 23 | 12 | 100 |
| Mar | 22 | 12 | 140 |
| Apr | 22 | 12 | 190 |
| May | 22 | 12 | 130 |
| Jun | 22 | 11 | 30 |
| Jul | 22 | 10 | 20 |
| Aug | 22 | 11 | 40 |
| Sep | 22 | 11 | 90 |
| Oct | 22 | 11 | 140 |
| Nov | 22 | 12 | 150 |
| Dec | 22 | 12 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
The dry months, June to September and December to February, are the best time to visit, when the volcanoes are more often clear.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Musanze is about 2.5 hours by road from Kigali, and about 1.5 hours from Rubavu on Lake Kivu. The park headquarters at Kinigi are about 20 minutes further.
No permit is needed to visit Musanze town. Gorilla and golden monkey permits for Volcanoes National Park are booked in advance, and we arrange them for you. Please see the Rwanda page for visa details.
Musanze sits at about 1,850 metres, so the air is cool and fresh. Bring a warm layer for the evenings. Drink bottled or filtered water.
National ParkVolcanoes National ParkMountain gorillas in the Virungas
National ParkNyungwe National ParkChimpanzees and the canopy walkway
National ParkAkagera National ParkRwanda’s Big Five savannah
National ParkGishwati-Mukura National ParkRwanda’s restored rainforest
Lake & IslandsLake KivuLakeshore rest between treksLake & IslandsTwin Lakes Burera & RuhondoQuiet lakes below the volcanoesOur take
“Worth a pause”
We often stop in Musanze on the way to the Volcanoes, for a walk through the market or a coffee. It is a good place to feel the everyday rhythm of northern Rwanda before you head into the mountains. If you have a spare afternoon after a trek, the caves or Red Rocks make a good outing.
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US$179 per person
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