Ruhengeri

Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri) is a city in Northern Province of Rwanda's Musanze district. It is the port of call for tourists heading up the hills to Kinigi and Parc National des Volcans.

Get in
There are several bus companies that serve Kigali-Musanze direction every half hour for Frw 4,000 (April 2024). The journey takes 2 hours.

Buy your ticket at the main bus station in Nyabugogo – each bus company has their own little office, look for the signs that say "Kigali-Musanze." Don't buy your ticket in advance – go to the bus station and expect to leave in roughly 30 minutes. If you book your ticket right before you leave, you may get a bad seat or have to stand.

Recommended bus companies: Virunga Express ; Kigali Bus Service, Ritco.

From Gisenyi buses go every 30 minutes, bound for Kigali, reaching Musanze after 1 hr 20 min, cost FRw 1200 (Feb 2017).

Get around
Musanze is a small town, you can walk from one end to the other along the main road in 30-40 minutes.

The best way to get around is walking or moto-taxi. Prices are negotiable with the moto drivers, but a typical ride across town is FRw 300-400 (Sep 2018.)

See
Volcanoes National Park offers several attractions. Tickets must be booked in advance through tour companies or the Rwanda Tourism Board (ORTPN). The majority of revenue from tourism goes towards maintaining the park and conserving the wildlife. The remainder goes to the government and (around 10%) to local projects in the area to help local people benefit from the large revenue stream generated by the park.
 * Musanze Gorilla naming monument.jpgla visits - there are a limited amount of permits per day, and they often sell out months in advance. Tourists spend an hour with the gorillas. US$750 per person for foreign visitors.
 * Golden monkey visits.
 * Climbing of Karisimbi volcano - this is a two-day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m.
 * Climbing of Bisoke volcano - 4-7 hours round trip. US$75 per person for foreign visitors.
 * Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey.

Visit Lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

Visit the lava caves and tunnels.

In town: there are various lively markets to stroll about. In the north-west part of town is the 2016 built cathedral, a big church that seats approximately 2000 people, and an amphitheater for approximately 4000 people. Near the southwest end of town, you can climb a hill overlooking the town and enjoying the panoramic view on the volcanoes.

Buy
Musanze main markets and supermarkets are open almost 24 hours.

There are several ATMs in town, including a KCB ATM that (sometimes) dispenses US dollars ($100 bills only).

Eat
There are a number of restaurants around Musanze town, including:



Drink
There are so many Bar and coffee shops in Musanze as it is tourist city



Sleep




Connect
In the city center and its vicinity you can find telecommunication shops where you can buy 3G and 4G SIM cards. You may have a free wifi in hotels and restaurants.

Go next
There is one daily bus to Kampala, departing between 16:00 & 17:30 & arriving in Kampala sometime after 03;00. The company is Trinity & the bus costs Frw 12,000. Jaguar has two buses to Kampala, leaving at 16:00 and 16:30. From Musanze to Goma in Republic Democratic of Congo is only 2 hours driving.