Ruhengeri, Virunga Volcan
Ruhengeri:
The main base for Gorilla tracking, Ruhengeri is a small but bustling market town situated 15km from the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. Boasting a wonderful sub-montane setting, and an excellent range of cheap to midrange hotels, Ruhengeri is an agreeable place to spend the night before one goes gorilla tracking, as well as being the obvious base to explore the little-known but compelling beautiful lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
Ruhengeri has a memorable setting at the base of the Virungas. On the outskirts of the town, the natural bridge at Musanze - a solidified lava flow - is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. Nearby are the lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago.
Getting to Ruhengeri:
Ruhengeri can be accessed by road or by air.
Road Transport:
Ruhengeri is connected by a tarmac road to Kigali, Gisenyi and Cyanika (Rwanda/Uganda Border). The drive Kigali-Ruhengeri will take you approximately 2 Hours via a very scenic road.
Attractions:
Ruhengeri is the nerve centre of Rwanda’s tourism. Ruhengeri is the base town for tracking hiking and trekking mountain gorillas. The main attractions include, the Volcanoes National Park, Virunga Mountains with their four peaks-Muhabura, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi. Karisimbi is the highest peak which can be ascended in two days. An easier ascent is Bisoke-one day. Other attractions are Musanze, the natural bridge, lakes Burela and Ruhondo.
Parc National Des Volcans:
This Park is one of the attractions in Ruhengeri. The bustling market town of Ruhengeri has a memorable setting at the base of the Virungas. On the outskirts of the town, the natural bridge at Musanze - a solidified lava flow - is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. Nearby are the lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago.
Trekking through the virungas brings you too close with years of natures own best. The trail takes you through the national park, immersing you into the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.
Virunga Montains:
Northern Rwanda has quite many of them, old and towering up to almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest. Notable amongst them is the “the Virungas”, situated in the far northwest of Rwanda and habitat to the Rwanda’s most prized endowment- the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat- the rich ecosystems teaming with carefully blended evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath all in one piece.
Tourist Activities:
Many of the tourist ctivities in Ruhengeri are focused on Volcanoes National Park. The activities in Volcanoes include
- Mountain gorilla tracking
- Trekking and hiking
- Mountain climbing-Karisimbi ascent 2 days/ Bisoke 1 day
- Hiking to Diana Fossey Grave
- Trekking and tracking Golden Monkeys
- Cave exploration
- Excursions to Lakes Burela and Ruhondo
Accommodation:
Luxury Lodges:
- Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge
- Virunga VolcanoesLuxury Lodge
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Basic Accommodation:
Within Ruhengeri town there are small basic hotels like Urumuli. Among the basic hotels in the town is Muhabura located just opposite the provincial headquarters.
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