Musanze Caves are found within the outskirts of Ruhengeri (Musanze’s Capital) and extend for about 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) long, making them the longest Caves in the country. They are blanketed by verdant vegetation that offers visitors a perfect picturesque opportunity. These Caves are found within the Musanze district, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The caves are a tourist site to visit on top of the gorilla trek, wildlife safari, golden monkey trek, or chimpanzee trekking.
A cave is a naturally created underground space that is small or large enough to accommodate a human. The Caves are said to have been formed through lava basaltic layers resulting from vulcanicity in the Sabyinyo and Bisoke Volcanoes of the Virunga Mountain range.
Located in Musanze (the same district with Volcanoes National Park), they are a perfect relaxation point for visitors to the Park.
These Caves don’t just hold a wonderful story of their formation but are also famous for their rich historical significance given the fact that they were used as a hiding place for thousands of refugees from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Also, the Musanze Caves rewards visitors with the breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountain range that also includes Muhabura, Karisimbi, Gahinga, and Nyiragongo Volcanoes among others.
The Caves are a beautiful feature with complex and many tunnels that are said to shelter thousands of bats that you will hear or even see during your visit to the Caves. They have streams of water that slowly flow out of the Rock ceiling as well as down the rocky walls to the holes underneath the floor of the Caves. Walks are usually conducted through the Caves and normally last up to two hours to complete. These Caves were developed by the Rwanda Development Board and by 2013 there were trails, walkways, and stairs to ease tours of the Caves by tourists.
Musanze Cave Rates:
It costs tourists only $55 per person to visit the Musanze Caves, which excludes transport, meals, and even your accommodation.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN MUSANZE DISTRICT:
Besides the Caves, Musanze district has more interesting attractions to offer/destinations to visit and these include the Mountain gorillas, Virunga Volcanoes, Golden monkeys, and Dian Fossey grave site in Volcanoes National Park, the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and Nkotsi Village for homestay visits among others.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
The Musanze caves can be explored all year round. The tourist site however receives more visitors during the dry months-January, February, June, July, August, September, and December because during this time the Cave floor is drier and less slippery.
PACKING LIST (What to need to wear/or carry while exploring the Musanze Caves):
Pack & wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers, hiking boots, gardening gloves, a head cap, and cotton socks while exploring the Musanze Caves. Also, don’t forget to carry your snacks, backpack, walking stick, rain jacket, sweater, a headlamp, and enough drinking water on your visit to the caves
WHERE TO STAY:
There are a number of budget, midrange and high-end accommodation facilities in Musanze district for visitors with the Musanze Caves’ tour. These include the Garden Place Hotel, Jack Hannah’s Cottages, Amahoro Guesthouse, Hotel Muhabura, Iroko Hotel, La Palme Hotel, Classic Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mucha Hotel, Fatima Hotel, Urumuli Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge among others.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Musanze Caves are found in Musanze district, within the Northern Province of Rwanda and about one and a half hours’ drive from the City of Kigali. The Caves are also only 2 kilometers away from Kinigi Park Headquarters, thus a wonderful add-on spot to visit during a gorilla safari.