{"id":1311739,"date":"2026-10-23T19:01:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1311739"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:01:19","slug":"musanze","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/africa\/rwanda\/musanze\/","title":{"rendered":"Musanze"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":1315015,"parent":1310594,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_ti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city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Musanze Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Musanze is a busy market town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, and the base for tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Hike to a crater lake on Mount Bisoke, visit Dian Fossey's grave, paddle the Twin Lakes and explore lava caves. Plan at least three nights.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1315015","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"US$1,500 | Gorilla trekking permit\r\nAbout 30 minutes | To the park at Kinigi\r\n5 volcanoes | On the skyline","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Musanze at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Musanze, formerly called Ruhengeri, lies in the north-west of Rwanda, about 2\u00bd hours from Kigali by bus. On a clear day, the town is overlooked by a chain of volcanoes: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura, the Rwandan side of the Virunga massif shared with Uganda and the DRC.\r\n\r\nThose volcanoes are why most people come. Volcanoes National Park protects the bamboo and cloud forest on their slopes, home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and the research camp where Dian Fossey studied gorillas for nearly two decades. The park headquarters is at Kinigi, about 30 minutes from town, where every trek begins with a briefing at dawn.\r\n\r\nMusanze itself is a practical, friendly town with a big market, banks, cheap restaurants and bus connections. It is cooler than Kigali because of the altitude, so evenings call for a jumper.\r\n\r\nAround the town, there is plenty to fill the days between treks: the Musanze lava caves, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, cultural villages and walks through potato and pyrethrum fields with the volcanoes as a backdrop.\r\n\r\nThree nights is the minimum: one day for the gorillas, one for golden monkeys or a volcano hike, and one for the caves and lakes. Gorilla permits sell out, so book well ahead.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Getting there | Bus from Kigali's Nyabugogo, about 2\u00bd hours, 2,500\u20133,500 RWF\r\nGetting around | Motos in town; car with driver for trekking days\r\nTransport app | Limited; arrange cars through your hostel\r\nTap water | Not safe; drink bottled or filtered water\r\nTipping | Tip trackers, rangers and porters\r\nEmergency numbers | 112; ambulance 912\r\nLanguage | Kinyarwanda, English and French\r\nHow long to stay | Three nights or more\r\nBest area to stay | Musanze town for budget, Kinigi for trekking\r\nPacking | Boots, gloves, rain jacket and warm layers","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Musanze","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay in Musanze town for budget beds, food and transport, or at Kinigi near the park headquarters for an easy start on trekking days. Lodges around the Twin Lakes suit slower stays.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"Musanze town | Budget stays and transport | Busy market town with banks, bus station, cheap restaurants and guesthouses. | -1.499 | 29.634 |  | \nKinigi | Trekkers | Village at the park headquarters, with lodges and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus. | -1.43 | 29.59 |  | \nTwin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) | Slow stays and views | Lakes east of town with lodges, canoes and volcano views. | -1.49 | 29.76 |  | \nNyakinama | Culture and quiet | Countryside area west of town, home to backpacker lodges and community projects. | -1.51 | 29.57 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Gorillas, golden monkeys and volcano hikes","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Gorilla trekking is the highlight of most trips to Rwanda. Groups meet at the park headquarters in Kinigi at around 7am for a briefing, then drive to the trailhead and hike with rangers and trackers to find one of the habituated gorilla families. Treks can take from under an hour to several hours through steep, muddy bamboo forest, and you spend one hour with the gorillas. Permits cost US$1,500, with a 30% low-season discount from November to May if you also visit Nyungwe and Akagera, and must be booked through the Rwanda Development Board or a tour operator.\r\n\r\nGolden monkey tracking is a cheaper, livelier alternative, following bands of these rare, orange-backed monkeys through the bamboo.\r\n\r\nFor hikers, Mount Bisoke is a steep day climb to a crater lake at about 3,700 m, and the hike to Dian Fossey's grave and the ruins of her Karisoke research camp is a moving half-day walk. Karisimbi, the highest of the volcanoes at about 4,500 m, is a two-day climb with a night on the mountain.\r\n\r\nIn Kinigi, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has an exhibition on gorilla conservation and research.\r\n\r\nNear town, the Musanze caves are a lava tube about 2 km long, with guided tours by torchlight. The Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo, are about 30 minutes away, with canoe trips, island picnics and views of the volcanoes.\r\n\r\nCultural villages, such as Iby'Iwacu, offer dance, traditional medicine and banana beer demonstrations. Choose community-run options.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Gorilla trekking | US$1,500; 7am briefing at Kinigi\r\nGolden monkeys | Cheaper, lively tracking in the bamboo\r\nMount Bisoke | Steep day hike to a crater lake\r\nDian Fossey's grave | Half-day hike to Karisoke\r\nMusanze caves | Lava tube about 2 km long\r\nTwin Lakes | Canoe trips on Burera and Ruhondo","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Musanze","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Musanze for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Permits are expensive, but many of the best things around Musanze cost little. Walk through Musanze market, one of the busiest in northern Rwanda, full of potatoes, beans and fabric.\r\n\r\nWalk or cycle out of town into the farmland towards the volcanoes. On clear mornings, the views of the whole Virunga chain are spectacular, and village paths lead through fields of potatoes and pyrethrum.\r\n\r\nThe road to the Twin Lakes has free viewpoints over Burera and Ruhondo, and you can walk the lakeshore paths.\r\n\r\nWatch the sunset over the volcanoes from your hostel garden or a hillside above town.\r\n\r\nIf you are here in September, the Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony in Kinigi is a big public celebration with music and dance.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Musanze market | One of the busiest in the north\r\nCountryside walks | Fields with volcano views\r\nTwin Lakes viewpoints | On the road east\r\nSunsets | Over the Virunga chain\r\nKwita Izina | Gorilla naming in September\r\nHostel gardens | Volcano views on clear mornings","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Musanze","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Potatoes, brochettes and hot drinks","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Musanze is in Rwanda's potato country, and the volcanic soil grows excellent vegetables. Local restaurants serve m\u00e9lange buffets at lunchtime, with potatoes, beans, rice, matoke and stews, for a few euros.\r\n\r\nIn the evening, bars grill brochettes of goat and beef, served with chips or grilled plantain. Isombe, cassava leaves with peanuts, is another local favourite.\r\n\r\nTrekking days start early, so most lodges and hostels pack lunches for the park.\r\n\r\nRestaurants in town serve pizzas, burgers and international food for travellers, usually for \u20ac5 to \u20ac10.\r\n\r\nIt gets cold in the evenings, so hot drinks are popular: Rwandan tea and coffee are excellent. Primus and M\u00fctzig are the local beers. Drink bottled or filtered water.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"M\u00e9lange | Lunch buffet for a few euros\r\nBrochettes | Grilled goat and beef at night\r\nPotatoes | Grown in the volcanic soil\r\nPacked lunches | From lodges on trek days\r\nRestaurants | About \u20ac5\u201310\r\nHot drinks | Rwandan tea and coffee","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Musanze","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Early nights before the trek","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Musanze is a quiet town, and most trekkers go to bed early: gorilla trekking briefings start at 7am in Kinigi.\r\n\r\nThere are a few bars in town where locals watch football and trekkers swap gorilla stories over Primus and brochettes, busiest at weekends.\r\n\r\nHostels and lodges often have fires in the evening, as nights at this altitude are cool.\r\n\r\nTake a moto or arranged car back to your accommodation if it is out of town, and wear the helmet.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Early nights | Briefings start at 7am\r\nTown bars | Football and brochettes\r\nLodge fires | Cool nights at altitude\r\nGetting home | Moto with a helmet or arranged car","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Musanze","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Musanze","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Musanze is about 2\u00bd hours from Kigali by road. Minibuses leave Kigali's Nyabugogo terminal frequently and cost about 2,500 RWF, and Volcano Express coaches cost about 3,500 RWF. The road is paved and winds through the hills, with great views.\r\n\r\nFrom Musanze, buses continue to Rubavu on Lake Kivu in about 1\u00bd hours, and to the Ugandan border at Cyanika for Kisoro and Bwindi.\r\n\r\nThe park headquarters at Kinigi is about 30 minutes from town. A moto costs about 2,000 to 3,000 RWF, but for gorilla trekking you also need transport from the headquarters to the trailhead, often on rough tracks, so most people book a car and driver or arrange transport through their hostel.\r\n\r\nIn town, motos are everywhere and cheap for short hops. Bicycles can be rented for exploring the countryside.\r\n\r\nFor the Twin Lakes and the caves, take a moto or a taxi, or join a day tour.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Kigali | Minibus 2,500 RWF; Volcano Express 3,500 RWF\r\nTo Rubavu | About 1\u00bd hours by bus\r\nTo Kinigi | Moto 2,000\u20133,000 RWF, about 30 minutes\r\nTrek day | Car with driver to the trailhead\r\nTo Uganda | Cyanika border for Kisoro and Bwindi","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Musanze","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Musanze costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Musanze itself is cheap, but the activities are not. Hostelworld lists a couple of properties here, with dorms from about US$23 and private rooms from about US$19 to US$26. Budget guesthouses in town can be cheaper, and lodges near Kinigi range from mid-range to luxury.\r\n\r\nFood is cheap: a m\u00e9lange lunch costs a few euros and brochettes a little more.\r\n\r\nThe big costs are permits. Gorilla trekking costs US$1,500, or US$1,050 in the low season with the multi-park deal, and other park activities cost much less but add up. A car and driver for trekking day is another significant cost, so share it if you can.\r\n\r\nThe bus from Kigali costs \u20ac2 to \u20ac3, and a moto to Kinigi under \u20ac2.\r\n\r\nAt about 1,660 RWF to \u20ac1, a day without permits comes to around \u20ac30 to \u20ac40. There are ATMs in town, but not at Kinigi, so bring cash.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Exchange rate | About 1,660 RWF to \u20ac1 (October 2026)\r\nDorm bed | From about US$23 on Hostelworld\r\nM\u00e9lange | A few euros\r\nGorilla permit | US$1,500 (US$1,050 low-season deal)\r\nMoto to Kinigi | Under \u20ac2\r\nCash | ATMs in town, not at Kinigi","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Musanze","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Musanze","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Musanze is safe and relaxed, and most visitors have no problems. Take normal care with valuables in the market and at the bus station.\r\n\r\nThe volcanoes lie on the borders with the DRC and Uganda, and the UK warns of possible fighting in the DRC and unmarked borders in remote areas. Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is accompanied by rangers and armed guards, so follow their instructions and stay with your group. The US advises against travel within 10 km of the DRC border, which includes parts of the park, so check the latest advice before you go.\r\n\r\nTrekking is physically demanding. Trails are steep, muddy and at high altitude, so wear boots, gloves for the nettles and waterproofs, and hire a porter, which also supports local families. Don't trek if you are ill, as gorillas catch human diseases.\r\n\r\nMotos are the main road risk: wear the helmet and avoid long rides on them. Nights are cold, so pack warm layers.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Town | Safe; normal precautions\r\nBorders | DRC and Uganda nearby; follow rangers\r\nUS advice | Avoid within 10 km of the DRC border\r\nTrekking | Steep, muddy, high altitude\r\nHealth | Don't trek if ill\r\nEmergencies | 112; ambulance 912","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Musanze","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Musanze","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Everything around Musanze is close: the gorillas and volcanoes at Kinigi, the Twin Lakes, the lava caves and Lake Kivu at Rubavu.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Volcanoes National Park | About 30 minutes | Car with driver or moto | Gorillas, golden monkeys, Bisoke and Dian Fossey's grave, all starting from Kinigi. |  | 1315015\nTwin Lakes | About 30 minutes | Moto or taxi | Burera and Ruhondo lakes with canoe trips and volcano views. |  | \nMusanze caves | About 10 minutes | Moto | Guided tours through a lava tube about 2 km long. |  | \nRubavu and Lake Kivu | About 1\u00bd hours | Bus | Lakeside town with beaches and the start of the Congo Nile Trail. |  | 1315009","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Musanze","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Musanze","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Musanze is cool and green all year, with mild days and cold nights. June to September and December to February are the driest months and best for trekking; March to May and October to November are wetter, muddier and cheaper.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Highs are our estimates, a few degrees below Kigali's weather2travel figures because of the altitude. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 23 | 4 | Dry; good trekking\r\nFebruary | 23 | 4 | Dry\r\nMarch | 23 | 2 | Rains begin; discounts\r\nApril | 22 | 1 | Wettest; mourning week\r\nMay | 22 | 2 | Rainy and muddy\r\nJune | 23 | 4 | Dry season starts\r\nJuly | 23 | 5 | Peak trekking\r\nAugust | 23 | 5 | Peak trekking\r\nSeptember | 23 | 4 | Kwita Izina\r\nOctober | 23 | 3 | Short rains\r\nNovember | 22 | 2 | Wet; low-season deals\r\nDecember | 22 | 4 | Drier; holiday visitors","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Musanze","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Musanze's big event is Kwita Izina, the gorilla-naming ceremony at Kinigi, usually held in September.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Musanze","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/africa\/rwanda\/musanze\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Kwita Izina | Usually September | Kinigi | National ceremony to name the baby gorillas born in the past year, with music, dance and speeches. |  | \nKwibuka | 7 April, then 100 days | Nationwide | Commemoration of the 1994 genocide; a week of mourning follows 7 April. |  | \nLiberation Day | 4 July | Nationwide | Public holiday in peak trekking season. |  | \nUmuganda | Last Saturday of the month, 7\u201311am | Nationwide | Community work morning; plan transport around it. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Musanze cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total, per person, in euros. Gorilla permits are not included.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates. Beds are based on Hostelworld and guesthouse prices in October 2026; doing covers the caves, lakes and transport to Kinigi. Gorilla permits (US$1,500) are extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 18 | 7 | 4 | 5\r\nMiddle of the road | 30 | 15 | 10 | 15\r\nComfortable | 80 | 30 | 40 | 30","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Hostels in Musanze","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Musanze has a couple of backpacker places and many guesthouses, plus lodges near the park. Most can help arrange permits and trekking transport.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Musanze","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/rwanda\/musanze\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best rated | Red Rocks Backpackers | Rated 9.3 from 16 reviews, a backpacker base outside town with dorms, private rooms and free breakfast, linked to a community cultural centre. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/67076\/red-rocks-backpackers\/\nPrivate rooms with views | Isange Paradise Resort | Rated 10 from a handful of reviews, with mountain and garden views, an outdoor fireplace and free breakfast. Private rooms only. | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/p\/327005\/isange-paradise-resort\/","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Musanze FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How do I get from Kigali to Musanze? | Minibuses from Nyabugogo cost about 2,500 RWF and Volcano Express coaches about 3,500 RWF. The trip takes about 2\u00bd hours.\r\nHow much does gorilla trekking cost in Rwanda? | US$1,500 per permit, discounted to US$1,050 from November to May if you also visit Nyungwe and Akagera. Book months ahead through the Rwanda Development Board or a tour operator.\r\nHow fit do you need to be for gorilla trekking? | Reasonably fit. Treks can take from under an hour to several hours on steep, muddy, high-altitude trails. Rangers try to match groups to fitness, and porters can carry your bag and help on steep sections.\r\nHow many days do you need in Musanze? | At least three: gorilla trekking, golden monkeys or Bisoke, and a day for the caves and Twin Lakes.\r\nWhere should I stay for gorilla trekking? | Musanze town is cheapest and has the most choice. Kinigi, near the park headquarters, makes the early start easier.\r\nHow do I get to the park headquarters? | Kinigi is about 30 minutes from Musanze. A moto costs about 2,000 to 3,000 RWF, but on trekking day you also need transport to the trailhead, so most people book a car and driver.\r\nCan I hike Mount Bisoke? | Yes, it is a steep day hike to a crater lake at about 3,700 m, booked through the park. It is tough but one of the best day hikes in East Africa.\r\nWhen is the best time to go gorilla trekking? | June to September and December to February are the driest months. The rainy seasons are muddier but quieter, with discounted permits.\r\nWhat should I pack for gorilla trekking? | Waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and sleeves, gardening gloves for the nettles, a rain jacket, warm layers, water and snacks. Many trekkers also hire a porter at the trailhead to carry their bag.\r\nCan I visit the gorillas from Kigali in a day? | It is possible but exhausting, as you need to be at Kinigi for the 7am briefing, about 2\u00bd to 3 hours from Kigali. Most people stay at least one night in Musanze or Kinigi.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Musanze hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Musanze | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/rwanda\/musanze\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No 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