Top Hotels in Musanze, Rwanda (Tried & Recommended!)

I’m sharing the top hotels in Musanze, Rwanda, from my own experiences, visits, and recommendations from trusted guides and friends. Musanze attracts a lot of visitors because of the gorillas. As such, there are tons of hotel and lodging options to choose from. I’m trying to stay at as many different places as I can over the next few years I’m in Rwanda so I’ll keep editing and adding!

You can see the Google Map pins here.

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Budget Friendly

Red Rocks Rwanda

This cultural center and accommodation is an excellent budget-friendly option. Also, the property offers on-site activities like botany tours, cooking classes, and more. The accommodation has dorms, glamping-style tents, a campground, and cabins. Prices range between $50-$80/night. I did a botany tour on site and thought this center looked super cute. I’d definitely stay here another time. I loved the mural in the community area.

Randa’s House Homestay

Our trusty local guide, Norbert and his wife Monica run a homestay in Musanze. I stayed here for 3 nights with my mom and sister and we had an amazing time. I highly recommend staying here because Monica is a fantastic cook and serves up the best breakfast and dinners (only $7 extra per person) in Musanze. The pancakes in the morning are delicious and you can even learn to cook traditional Rwandan food with Monica. For price, experience, food, and company, you won’t find a better deal.

The double room is $40 per night ($20 for single occupancy), and a triple room for $17 per person. My sister and I shared the triple room and my mom had the double room. The rooms were comfortable and it’s usually very cold at night in Musanze so the room temperature was naturally good. I brought a mosquito killer spray (because I’m paranoid) as there are no nets in the triple room, but my mom had a mosquito net.

Pictures from Randa’s House Homestay

Norbert also operates excellent hiking and biking tours in Musanze, as well as other adventures. Contact Norbert on Instagram or WhatsApp him to book the tours at +250786797771.

Little Birds Paradise

We have considered staying at Little Birds Paradise, and we probably will at some point during our time living in Kigali. It looks nice and comfortable for just around $50 a night.

SAISH Stay

Saish Stay is a nice, basic hotel centrally located. It’s got an artsy vibe. I stayed here for 1-night when we hiked Bisoke. The breakfast coffee was served early and we had our breakfast in to go bags which was great. However, there didn’t seem to be a water tank and after 5pm, there was no running water (this is common for the city). It seemed like they weren’t totally prepared for us to still want water if the supply was out. The staff brought a bucket of water but no cup to use it. That said, it was cheap and easy for a quick stay as we checked in at 6pm and checked out in the morning at 6am.

Moderate

Makeri Residence

On a trip with Wilhelm and my friend to visit the gorillas, we stayed in the Makeri Residence, which is a self-catered accommodation with studios, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom options. We stayed in the 2-bedroom and it was perfect for 3 peoples as each room had it’s own bathroom. The living room and kitchen were so useful to have. Breakfast was included and the volcano view from the breakfast balcony is amazing. Plus, there is a small gym and even a work room. I’ll probably stay here next visit.

La Locanda

We had a nice 2-night experience at La Locanda. Veg breakfast and dinner are included, as are alcohol and laundry. One night we had a loud guest on the other side of the wall, but for the most part, it was a great time. Additionally, the staff is nice and will help organize your activities if you need them.

Isange Paradise Resort

I’m always on the lookout for new places and so I came across Isange Paradise Resort. It’s just a little bit out of town and has a lovely vibe.

Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge

On our second visit to Musanze, we stayed at Tiloreza, and it was amazing. The service at the hotel was excellent as the staff were helpful in getting us set up for our Golden Monkey tour. The hotel provides gators and washes your boots after hiking. They also put in hot water bottles in our bed each evening, and it was chilly; I almost cried becuase it was so nice. Just don’t eat here for lunch (it’s a proper scam at $30 per person for a light dish).

The pool is great on a hot afternoon!

My Hill Eco Lodge

Clearly one of the top hotels in Musanze, My Hill Eco Lodge is a beautiful lakeside lodge. We visited for lunch while on the Twin Lake bike ride in 2022 and again in 2025 on a Twin Lake Hike with Norbert. The lodge is the perfect place to hide away for a couple of days. It’s also possible to do all the activities at Volcanoes National Park becuase they start serving breakfast at 5am. You can organize a boat + transportation to the reception center to do hikes, the Golden Monkey, and the Gorillas.

The views of the volcano chain are stunning on a clear day.

There are deluxe rooms and glamping tents available. Tip: The glamping tents have the most panoramic view of the volcanoes.

Byiza Lodge

Byiza Lodge has been recommended to me by Norbert as well. If you want good views without having to take a boat (like you need to do to reach My Hill Eco Lodge), then Byiza Lodge is your best option. The rooms look comfortable and cute with excellent views.

Your rate includes breakfast and dinner. Book directly with the property on their website.

Kinigi Cottage

Kinigi Cottage was recommended to me by friends who spent a weekend there and the next time we went to Musanze, I booked it! This is suchhh a cute stay. This cottage was converted into a bnb and retains a home away from home feel. Wilhelm and I came here with a group of friends (taking up almost the entire property). We spent 1 night and for me, it worked out perfectly because I chilled at Kinigi Cottage all day while everyone else went hiking.

I spent a lazy morning with breakfast (delish eggs, homemade bread, waffles, a chia seed pudding and yogurt), then had a complimentary massage (included in your room rate and done by the Seeing Hands community which empowers blind people), read, and chilled by the fire. Although check out was at 11am, I was totally welcomed to stay all day. The staff were so nice.

Luxury

Bisate Lodge

If we wanted to splurge (beyond our means) for one of the top hotels in Musanze, then Bisate Lodge would have been it. They built the rooms like large bird nests in the forest, and they look absolutely stunning. Only guests are allowed on the property.

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest

Another resort that looks straight out of White Lotus is the Gorilla’s Nest. The cabins and treehouses are built into the surrounding forest for an immersive experience, and the food is said to be amazing; for $4000+/night it should be life changing.

Sambora

Sambora includes all means and some drinks, and even a massage. Suites go fo around $500 per person, so it’s less of a splurge than the Gorilla’s Nest or Bisate.