Musanze Caves in Rwanda: History, cost and Fees, best time to Visit Musanze Caves and other things to do
Musanze Cave is one of the 52 Caves that were surveyed within the Northern Province of Rwanda and surprisingly the most-frequently explored. The Caves in this part of the country features over 15.2 kilometers of Cave passages and formed from Cenozoic volcanic rocks.
Size of Musanze Caves in Rwanda
The Cave of Musanze extends for 2 kilometers long and lies within the volcanic region, dating back to over 65 million years ago when Lava flows led to the formation of the Albertine Rift Valley. This magnificent Cave is part of the beautiful Lava Basaltic layers from the popular Sabyinyo and Bisoke Volcanoes.
This Cave features over 31 entrances, majority being roof collapses and the main entrance is a size of a Cathedral, offering shelter to a large Bat colony. The roof collapses form a spectacular array of beautiful shafts of light brightly shinning into the Cave.
Historical significance of Musanze Caves
Musanze Cave is known for its historical significance, connecting to the 1994 Rwandan genocide or 1950s when it was used as hiding place for war victims. The site still holds a great importance to the locals, because tourists show maximum respect when exploring this natural wonder.
Guided tours of Musanze Caves in Rwanda
Musanze Cave is officially protected and managed by Rwanda Development Board since 2013 by establishing trails, stairs and walkways; hence access to the site is limited to guided tours that take 2-3 hours to accomplish. When hiking through the Caves, visitors are provided with the jaw-dropping views of the green lush vegetation hence offering a backdrop for photography. With the presence of numerous bats in the Caves, they hide in the hidden huge holes that illustrate the picture of a mansion with many rooms and corridors hence unforgettable experience to explore.
Musanze Caves hiking fees
Musanze Cave walks/hikes cost only $55 per person per hike and includes a local guide and entrance into the Caves.
Best time to visit Musanze Caves in Rwanda
Musanze Caves in Rwanda can be visited all year round but the trails are slippery and challenging to maneuver through during the wet season-March through May as well as November. This makes the dry season-June through September as well as December through February as the ideal time.
What to pack for Musanze Cave tours
Regardless of the time of the year, you have to pack long sleeved shirts, pants, gardening gloves, rain jacket, sturdy hiking boots, camera, face masks for covering mouths and nose from bat droppings and infections, torch helmet, insect repellents, first aid kit, goggles, flashlight, pair of binoculars while the walking stick and porters can be organized from the Caves briefing point.
Other attractions explored alongside Musanze Caves in Rwanda
Visitors exploring Musanze Caves also add other magnificent attractions that include Buhanga Eco Park-popular for being a coronation place for former Rwandan Kings, the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo (lava-dammed Lakes) formed when flowing Lava blocked a river, Volcanoes National Park for trek endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, birding adventures, hike to Dian Fossey Tomb, guided forest walks with chances of seeing numerous attractions of the Park and visits to the Gorilla Guardian Village among others.
Where to stay near Musanze Caves in Rwanda
Visitors exploring Musanze Caves can stay in some of Musanze Town and Volcanoes National Park accommodation facilities that include Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Muhabura Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse and many others.
How to get to Musanze Caves in Rwanda
The Caves of Musanze are approximately one and a half hours’ drive from Kigali, the Capital City of Rwanda and can be accessed by public or private means. For public means, take a bus from Nyabugogo bus/Taxi Park to Musanze Town then continue to the Caves by cab.