Musanze Caves are found within Ruhengeri (Musanze district), in the Northern Province of Rwanda near Volcanoes National Park. Caves are naturally formed underground spaces that are sometimes large enough to accommodate the size of a human being. The Musanze caves were formed from volcanic eruptions dating back to over 65 million years ago and extend for a length of over 2 kilometers (approximately 1.25 miles). It is believed that the Lava basaltic layers from the eruption of Mount. Bisoke and Sabyinyo were instrumental in the formation of Musanze Caves.
There are over 32 Caves distributed across the foothills of Volcanoes National Park while there are a total of over 52 caves within the Northern Province of Rwanda. Musanze Caves are about 22 kilometers from the Town of Musanze, thus visitors have to drive for about 40 minutes from the Town to get to these spectacular Caves. Musanze Cave Tours were launched by the Rwanda Development Board in 2013 and features walkways, stairs and improved trails for better exploration/touring. Since launching, the Caves have become stopover points for visitors to Volcanoes National Park.
Walking through the Musanze Caves creates imagination of a creepy house with several rooms, corridors and stairs. There are also dark spots with numerous bats in addition to possibility of creating loud echoes. However, these Caves hold important cultural and historical attachment to the people of Rwanda because they used to be safe hiding places during conflicts, wars and most significantly during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Guided walks through these Caves take 2-3 hours for information on their history to be clearly explained and hidden places to be uncovered.
What to carry/or wear for Musanze Cave Tours.
Visitors planning to explore/tour the Musanze Caves are advised to wear hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, safari pants and not forgetting to carry a backpack, gardening gloves, a good camera and sunglasses. Walking sticks, masks, headlight, helmet and sometimes gloves are provided prior to beginning the walk to Musanze Caves.
Best time to tour the Musanze Caves.
Tours of Musanze Caves are conducted throughout the year. Since touring them is done as part of the main gorilla tour, dry season is the most ideal. During this time, forest floor is less muddy and slippery.
Entrance fees for Musanze Caves.
The entrance fee for touring Musanze Caves is only $55 and doesn’t include transport to and from the caves, food, tips and accommodation. However it includes guide fees and all you need is to be physically fit to explore these caves.
Other tourist Activities near Musanze caves.
Touring the Musanze Caves can be combined with gorilla trekking, golden monkey treks, Dian Fossey Grave site hikes and birding tours in Volcanoes National Park, exploring the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, visit to the Gorilla Guardian Village (or Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village) and many others.
Accommodation facilities near Musanze Caves.
Accommodation facilities near Musanze Caves include Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Jack Hannah’s Cottages, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Amahoro Guesthouse, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Bishop’s House, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Muhabura Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Red Rocks Rwanda, Gorilla Nest Lodge, The Garden Palace, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel and many others.
How to get to Musanze Caves?
Musanze Caves are about 120 kilometers and only 2 hours from the city of Kigali and can be visited by visitors during gorilla safaris to Volcanoes National Park.
