Tourist attractions in Musanze
Tourist attractions in Musanze: Musanze is the capital and most significant town in Rwanda‘s northern province. Originally known as Ruhengeri, the name has now been altered as the nation adopted a new policy of renaming all of its cities to both simplify administrative burdens and erase memory of the horrifying genocide. Musanze is the nearest city to the Volcanoes National Park, which offers breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes, and is also home to the majority of the government’s administrative and commercial services. Compared to the bigger East African cities and towns, it seems quite unimpressive. There is a lot to do in the lovely town of Musanze (Ruhengeri), even though the majority of visitors come to see the Volcanoes National Park and the mountain gorillas in particular. Here are a few of the tourist attractions in Musanze:
Tracking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
The Volcanoes National Park is Musanze’s main draw. The endangered mountain gorilla can be found in the 130 square kilometer park. Trekking with gorillas is the most popular activity. Regretfully, it is a costly endeavor, as gorilla licenses in Rwanda can cost up to $1,500. One of just four national parks with mountain gorillas is the Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla permits are available online or in person at one of the Rwanda Development Board’s offices. You might choose to track primates from Uganda‘s Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks if the cost of permits is too high for you. Musanze’s tourist attractions include the gorilla parks, which are adjacent to one another and only divided by human boundaries.
Check out Dian Fossey’s tomb
This is a full-day exercise that calls for the same degree of stamina and athleticism as monitoring mountain gorillas. Great primatologist Dian Fossey was the first to do a thorough study of mountain gorillas. Dian Fossey made gorilla trekking possible by figuring out how to make mountain gorillas feel at ease in human environments. She later began combating poachers, or animal traffickers, in the Virunga region after realizing that study alone was insufficient to save the gorillas. She gained a lot of enemies as a result, and it is thought that those who were profiting from poaching and animal trafficking committed her death. You can make plans to visit Dian Fossey’s tomb and her former research center on the slopes of the Karisimbi and Bisoke Mountains in honor of this renowned primatologist. Even though it’s a distant and high-altitude location, you can still learn a lot about her legacy and her work with the gorillas today. If you are fortunate, you may come across golden monkeys and gorillas on the mountainside.
Burera Lake and Ruhondo
These two lakes are frequently referred to as the twin Lakes of Rwanda because of their proximity to one another. They are situated at the base of the Virunga volcanoes in an area with breathtaking nature and peace. The lakes offer excellent birdwatching chances and are as naturally beautiful as Uganda‘s Lake Bunyonyi, Mulehe, and Mutanda. Musanze (Ruhengeri) is only 20 minutes away by car from the lakes, but you may easily ride a bike there. You have the option of going on a village walk, canoeing, camping, or birdwatching once you arrive. Storks, cormorans, cranes, kingfishers, herons, and other water birds are among the prevalent bird species. You can rent boats to visit the many islands and snap breathtaking pictures for a nominal charge. Cyuza Island is a great place to camp in Lake Burera. La Paillotte, which operates the campsite at the Lake, strives to provide visitors to the Musanze area with an amazing experience and comfort. For want of a better term, the vista of the Virunga rangers from this little island is absolutely breathtaking.
Discover the Caves of Musanze
These caves date back more than a million years. They were created when the local volcanoes were being developed. Molten rock moved beneath the lava as it blasted forth, flowed, and cooled at the top. We now refer to the tunnels that were left behind by the molten rock flowing beneath as the Musanze caves. The caves contain a complicated network of tunnels, some of which are more than 20 kilometers long. During conflicts with neighboring tribes, the Rwandan rulers sought refuge in these caverns. Everyone is given a torch, a helmet, and gloves so they can explore the Musanze caves. Turn off the torch for a brief moment while you are at the caverns if you have never seen true darkness before. The Rwanda Development Board oversees the Musanze caves, which are about thirty minutes’ drive from Musanze town. The entire excursion takes no more than three hours, and admission to the caves costs $50. There are more than forty-five caves in the region that can be visited in addition to the Musanze caves. The majority are managed by the Rwanda Development Board and are still in their original state, making them popular tourist destinations in Musanze.
See Imbazi, a museum that was formerly an orphanage.
The Imbazi orphanage was established to care for children who had lost their parents following the horrifying genocide in Rwanda. Rosamund Carr was the owner of the house. Carr welcomed the numerous homeless and despondent children into her house. Today, it serves as both a kindergarten and a small museum. Although this institution is located in a rural area, Musanze town is about 45 minutes distant by car. The breathtaking Virunga Volcanoes, which include Mount Nyiragongo, Karisimbi, and Mikeno, are particularly noteworthy among the breathtaking scenery and views along the route.
Follow the Golden Monkey
One of the most adorable and stunning monkeys in Africa is the golden monkey. They consume insects, leaves, and tree shoots. Golden monkeys can live in groups of up to 80 people. Similar to mountain gorillas, these lively primates are endangered and only found in three countries: Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. In the Volcanoes National Park, visitors can see two habituated golden monkey groups. At 7:30 am, visitors are given a training before being guided into the bamboo forests to locate the group for golden monkey tracking. Because the monkeys reside on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, they are comparatively easier to locate than mountain gorillas. You can reserve permits through your travel operator or directly with the Rwanda Development Board for a fee of $100. The cost covers both park admission and a park guide’s services.
City Tour
Since it’s a small town, a two-hour walk tour is feasible. To start, you can visit the city markets to see the fruits and textiles grown there. It is worthwhile to visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International offices, which are located in the heart of Musanze. This office is well-known throughout the world for conducting excellent research on primates, including mountain gorillas. Additionally, they sponsor conservation initiatives for species in East and Central Africa. You can go on to Nkotsi Village if the excursion ends sooner than anticipated. Nkotsi Village, also called Muko, is located in Musanze’s southwest. Tourist attractions in Musanze include the opportunity to embark on a cultural tour and see rural Rwandan life.
Go to Restaurants
One of the most well-liked eateries in town is La Paillote. It is well-known for its pizzas, which are served in a delightful setting. Along the streets of Musanze, you can also hang out or get delicious food at Volcano Lounge. In contrast, Isange BF Restaurant serves a range of regional and foreign cuisines. Popular for its locally grown Rwandese coffee is Café Crema. You might wish to go to Migano Café for the best pizzas, salads, burgers, pastas, and poultry meals made with fresh juice.
Experience a Volcano hike
While at Ruhengeri, visitors can explore five different volcanoes. Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabinyo are among them. While Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga begin in Uganda, Karisimbi takes two days to finish. Compared to Karisimbi, hiking Mount Bisoke is far less expensive and takes only one day. The slowest hikers might reach the summit after five hours of climbing and three hours of descending. Beautiful views of the crater lake and the other volcanoes in the park are the reward for reaching the top, which is 3,711 meters above sea level. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment and are in good physical condition, particularly during the rainy season. Permits for Mount Bisoke cost $75. You may need to hire a car and driver to get you to the starting site if you’re traveling from Kigali.
Go to the Cultural Village of Iby’iwacu.
Everything you need to know about Rwandan culture and the various tribes is displayed in the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. It began as a project to assist ex-poachers in using tourism as a substitute source of income, but it has expanded to offer a wide range of services. Before leaving the nation, the majority of visitors to the Volcanoes National Park make a brief cultural stop in the Village. The majority of the displays depict what a homestead in Rwanda looked like prior to colonization. Bows, arrows, spears, and old huts will all be visible. The Center has a local doctor on staff who is always happy to show how common illnesses can be resolved with natural remedies. One of the areas also features royal regalia and a model of a royal palace. Following their exploration of the village, visitors can attend traditional dance performances and take lessons in playing the flute and drums, two indigenous musical instruments. For those interested in traditional beer, there is also local beer available. The best spot to purchase local souvenirs is the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. The Inshuti Arts and Culture Center is a good place to visit if you’re looking for an art gallery on the main street.
At the Mukungwa River, canoeing
The town of Musanze is not close to this winding river. It’s a great spot for adventure and leisure. You can explore and observe the locals and countryside while driving to and from the river. In Rwanda, the river is also a great place to go birdwatching. It costs $40 and takes roughly four hours. Transportation and an informed local guide are included with this price. Bring along a high-quality camera so you may capture beautiful images of the scenery and river.
Go to the Eco-Park in Buhanga.
The first Rwandan king is honored by the park’s name. It is located in the revered Buhanga woodland, where Rwandan kings would be crowned following a number of rites and ceremonies. From the Royal palace in Nyanza, the selected king would be transported in a carriage all the way to the forest. He would receive a shower in the spring water upon arriving at the forest, after which he would ask the gods and elders for their blessings. More pathways have been added to the facility’s makeover so that guests can explore all of the caverns, ditches, and rocks. You can discover more about the location’s myths and history by taking a guided tour. Three trees that have grown to form one, called “Inyabutatu,” are a major draw in the park. The three distinct Rwandan tribes that came together under a single monarch are represented by these trees. International tourists must pay $30 to access the Buhanga Eco-Park, which is open daily from dawn until late at night. That sum will allow you to camp or enjoy a picnic in the lovely gardens with your family. Musanze’s tourist attractions.
Support the Handspun Hope Women’s Center
It is possible to discover how a group of approximately 120 gifted women have used their abilities to become independent by visiting this center. After going through a number of procedures and utilizing spinning wheels and other hand instruments, the women produce organic yarn. The women utilize the fleece from their own Merino sheep to make yarn. Among many other local plant elements, eucalyptus leaves, onion skins, and cosmic petals are used to dye the yarn. The finished goods are offered for sale both domestically and abroad. You can help the women by buying one of their products, which now include hats, blankets, and yarn, of course.
Birding: While in Musanze, ardent birdwatchers shouldn’t get bored. One can visit a number of locations to observe some of Rwanda’s native birds. Naturally, the Volcanoes National Park is the ideal location, but one may also find satisfaction at the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, the Mpenge River, and the Mukungwa River. Perhaps Musanze’s greatest spot for birdwatching is Rugezi Swamp. The Grauer’s swamp-warbler is one of more than 100 species that call this expansive marshes home. Additionally, you will discover creatures that are unique to the Albertine Rift. It’s difficult to get good binoculars in Ruhengeri, so make sure you bring some with you.
The route to Musanze town
From the capital Kigali, it takes roughly two hours to drive to Musanze via road through breathtaking scenery. The roads are well-maintained and of high grade. Renting a private vehicle costs roughly $50, without including gas or a driver. You can take the public busses from Kigali to Musanze if you’re on a low budget. Nyabugogo Bus Station is home to offices for bus companies such as Virunga Express and Kigali Bus Services. Don’t forget to purchase your ticket right before boarding. Because the bus would be packed if you made your reservation in advance, you might not obtain a seat or would have to stand.