Things to do in Musanze (besides visiting the gorillas)- my second visit

There is so much to do other than visiting the primates when you stay in Musanze to explore Volcanoes National Park. I first visited Musanze in 2022 while on vacation in Rwanda. In March 2025, we moved to Kigali and visited Musanze again. I’ll continue to learn more about the town, the more we return (the views are too beautiful to stay away for too long…).

Musanze is one of Rwanda’s most touristy towns, especially as the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. This doesn’t seem reflective of the countryside life you’re bound to see (busy markets, chaotic driving between buses, bikes, motos, cars, and people walking on the street occasionally). The dining scene is fairly modest. That said, visiting Musanze is still a must. There are plenty of things to do in Musanze to keep you occupied (from hiking and biking to art galleries) for a weekend or more!

Ruhengeri is the actual name of the town, but everyone calls it Musanze, which is technically the name of the region.

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Art Galleries and Shopping

Inshuti Art Gallery (and cafe)

This unique art gallery is home to incredible works by Rwandan artists and is one of the best things to do in Musanze. Check out all the sculptures too. From a fork and spoon gorilla to an elephant with a hidden space inside, and (my favorite) a boat treehouse big enough for a whole crew, you’re bound to find something that amazes you. This is my top suggestion for things to do in Musanze. It’s such a cool spot.

Get a beer and head to the boat for a sundowner or two.

The Local Market

Take a walk through the local market. There is mostly produce here, but you can also buy the colorful baskets you’ll see people carry around Rwanda here. I got my medium sized basket for 3500 RWF. Larger baskets can cost up to 7,000 RWF.

Art Villages and Cooperatives

There are several shops between Musanze and Volcanoes National Park where you can stop to check out local handicrafts and art. I’ve stopped at Kinigi Women Village, Kinigi Community Commercial Complex, and Kinigi Eco Center. Everything is a little bit ‘same-same-but-different’ and if you have time, it’s one of the things to in Musanze.

I loved these cute crochet animals at Kinigi Women Village and we saw the women making placemats.

Where to Eat

Traveling Roots

Traveling Roots is a cute restaurant with a little bit of everything. Go for small plates or order an XL burger. I attempted the veg XL burger because I was so hungry. Although the flavors were great (like a veg curry), the patty totally fell apart. I’d opt for a chicken or beef option next time but the flavors were good. There is also a small shop.

Migano Cafe

With a location in Musanze and in Kigali, Migano is a reliable recommendation. They serve good soups, salads, pastas, and a variety of main dishes. On a rainy night, I had a nice carrot and ginger soup and a veggie sandwich.

Amikus Restaurant

Another reliable option, Amikus Restaurant (not to be confused with the bar or hotel) is a recommendation from our guide and friend, Norbert. Besides the general menu (soup, pasta, sandwiches, burger, and pizza), there is also a good local section. I got the beef in tomato sauce. It was excellent. For veg folk, the hack here is to get the pilou rice and several sides like greens, beans, and potatoes. The curry options were okay, but not as flavorful as the beef sauce. However, the pilou rice was amazing.

Crema Coffee

Visit Crema for great coffee and meals (breakfast through dinner). The Mexican bean burrito was excellent.

Drinks with a (partial) view

To get a view of the volcanoes, check out Zero Gravity lounge. Take the stairs all the way to the top.

Botany Tour

Red Rocks Rwanda hosts several community engagement tours. If you’re interested in local plants and herbal remedies, you can do a 1-hour tour. The tour was conducted with the local woman healer and a guide for translation. Many of the plants in the garden are named (like an arboretum), so it gives the tour a professional feel. We learned about the local remedies, and if you’re not feeling well, the healer will whip you up a cure! Although we didn’t have any issues, we tried a simple remedy. It was quite cool as the combination of two different leaves turns water red! The tour was $17/pp, and then we tipped 8k RWF to the healer. It also looks like a nice spot to get lunch after your tour.

I hadn’t heard about Red Rocks before but it was recommended by our local guide friend, Norbert. He actually trained there as an intern and worked at Red Rocks for five years before moving on to other tour companies and eventually opening his own business. When I went on the tour, we met three tourism interns (still in high school!) training to be tour guides. Hosting interns from local communities is just one of the many community engagement activities that Red Rocks runs, and their initiatives are a great reason to visit (or even spend the night) here.

Visit Volcanoes National Park

At Volcanoes National Park—one of the top things to do in Musanze as the main highlight— you can visit the gorillas, the Golden Monkeys, and hike the volcanoes. All activities need to be booked at least one day in advance online (including the hikes). Buy a permit directly from the national park website to ensure your spot. Gorilla trekking should be booked as soon as you know your travel dates because dates get booked up in advance in the high season..

Read more about Golden Monkey Trekking, which is what we did for USD 100 rather than USD 1,500 for the gorillas.

Golden Monkey Volcanoes National Park Hiking (12)

Biking and Hiking Tours

Biking and hiking tours offer some of the most memorable things to do in Musanze.

Lava Bike Tours operates several activities. We went on the Twin Lakes tour, which is a stunning and wild ride for 46km up and down mountains and through villages. You’ll visit the famed Twin Lakes and enjoy lunch at one of the most stunning hotels in the area. Read all about it here.

Epic Cycle Tour of the Twin Lakes in Rwanda

You can do hiking and biking tours directly with our guide (and friend), Norbert. He also runs African Homestays Adventures. We went on a tour with Norbert in 2022 and again in 2025!

The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey

Learn about the gorillas and conservation efforts of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Fossey was an American gorilla conservationist who dedicated her life to studying gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Her story and the continued efforts of the organization she founded in Musanze are inspirational. You can learn about the gorillas at this museum and also experience some fun virtual reality gorillas. Suggested donation for entry is $20. There is also a nice nature walk you can do on site, where you’ll see a gorilla through the tablet system doing different things. It was quite fun.

Need Hiking Clothes?

If you happen to be out of luck and need some second-hand hiking clothes, check out this shop around here. Ask around for Claudine. She has hiking boots, rain jackets and more. We bought a Columbia rain jacket. Her number is +250788332460 on WhatsApp.

Accommodation in and around Musanze

Read my post on the best hotels in Musanze based on my personal experience and direct recommendations from guides and friends. If you need quick recommendations, I like Red Rocks Rwanda (budget), La Locanda (moderate), or My Hill Ecolodge (moderate).