Musanze
Poised to become one of Rwanda’s major cities, Musanze’s strategic location in the foothills of the Virunga Massif is attractive to tourism, business and agriculture, with notably fertile land in the surrounding region.
Set at an altitude of 1,850m, the city is a convenient base for gorilla tracking, with the Kinigi headquarters 13km away. For those keen to stay closer to the edge of the Volcanoes National Park, there are various boutique lodges along its fringes with spectacular views and a more rural setting.
Musanze is a hassle-free and buzzing city, with plenty of choice for eating out, ATMs to withdraw cash, vibrant nightlife, markets and artisanal trades.
Excursions from Musanze include a guided tour of the underground caves, bicycle tours and a chance to meet the Rwandan cycling team at the Africa Rising Cycling Centre, the Buhanga Eco-Park and the little-known lakes of Karago, Burera and Ruhondo.