Things to do
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Mount Bisoke
A crater lake sits in the summit of this volcano on the border with Congo, reached by a steep and often muddy climb of around six hours return from the park gate. Groups go out with an armed ranger, and porters wait at the trailhead for hire. The upper section is slick volcanic soil, where gaiters make a difference. Cloud usually closes over the crater lake before late morning.
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Musanze Caves
Lava tubes run for kilometres beneath the farmland here, formed by flows from the volcanoes above and used as shelter during past conflicts. A guided walk covers a section of the main tunnel on built walkways, with helmets, torches and bats overhead. It takes under two hours from the entrance near town. Footing is uneven and the floor stays wet in every season.
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Lake
Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo
Two deep lakes lie side by side northeast of Musanze, separated by a narrow ridge and backed by the Virunga cones. Terraced hills drop straight to the water, and dugout canoes still work the shoreline. A dirt road and a viewpoint above Ruhondo take in both, usually done as a half day by car or bicycle. Mornings give the clearest view of the volcanoes before cloud builds.
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Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas are the reason the road north exists for most visitors, and the park headquarters at Kinigi is where trekking groups form at dawn. Permits are limited daily and booked months ahead through the Rwanda Development Board, each group allowed an hour with one family. Golden monkey treks and the hike to Dian Fossey's grave fill other days. Rain is likely in any month.