Musanze caves are one of the physical features of geological activity in the Northern part of Rwanda. The 1.25-mile-long Musanze caves are located outside of Musanze town center, and a 90-minute drive from Kigali, or 2km from Kinigi (Volcanoes National Park headquarters). The caves are explored from Volcanoes National Park and are located at the foothill of this well-known park,” Home of mountain gorillas”.
The caves have been developed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in collaboration with the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF)/Reserve forces, and the works were accomplished in 2013. They consisted of the establishment of tourist walkways, trails, stairs, and other safety measures for the visitors.
You have to go all the way to the Rwanda development board (RDB) office at Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi to buy the entry ticket. Before you enter the caves, the guides give you a torch because of the darkness inside the caves, a helmet, knee protectors (for safety in case of accident), and gloves (gloves and nose protectors for anti-bacterial health issues.
Within the entrance side of the cave, there are bats resident (bat habitat or bat colony). The second part is named Musanze II, the third part is named Musanze III, while the fourth is called Musanze IV (Inkomane).
The caves were used as shelter during wartime for many centuries (the Monarch era in Rwanda). And it was used as a shelter for Tutsis during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. The caves were used by priest during their meditation events. Expert guides alongside security guards (armed soldiers) lead every tour, and they can explain the history of the caves from their formation to the present day.
The Musanze caves offer an in-depth understanding of geological history and the development of the Earth centuries ago. The caves are also believed to be the result of a volcanic eruption that took place in the region many years ago.
The local people around the area started to benefit from these caves as some local investors built hotels and lodges (like Musanze caves hotel and Musanze caves lodge), at the caves’ entrance and even the exit.
The greenery places (with the green vegetation and moist climate) outside the caves provide the best setting for a fantastic photo shoot.
Apart from visiting the caves, tourists can also visit other tourist attractions found in that area, like the Twin Lakes of Rwanda (Bulera and Ruhondo, Buhanga eco-park, famous for the coronation of Rwanda’s former kings, Karisimbi volcano climbing, Bisoke volcano hiking, and trekking with mountain gorillas.
The Explore Rwanda tour recommends this well-built tourist attraction in Rwanda. Your tour to Musanze will be excellent, as after you have seen gorillas in Kinigi, do not hesitate to take 2.5hours to visit these 2km long caves, and it can be done anytime throughout the year.
