National parkNorthern Province
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on the Virunga volcanoes.
Caves and lakes
Musanze Caves and the Twin Lakes
A lava-tube cave and the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo below the volcanoes.
- Northern Province
- Best: Jun–Sep
Overview
- Cave length
- About 2 km (lava tube)
- Lakes
- Burera and Ruhondo
- From Kigali
- About 2 hours to Musanze
- Permits
- Rwanda Development Board
Musanze, the gateway town for Volcanoes National Park, sits on old lava flows from the Virunga volcanoes. The Musanze Caves are a lava tube about 2 km long, explored on guided walks run by the Rwanda Development Board.
East of town, the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo lie in deep valleys separated by a narrow ridge, with terraced hills, islands and views of the volcanoes. Boat and canoe trips, hikes and lakeside lodges make them a peaceful add-on to gorilla trekking.
Nearby, the Buhanga Eco-Park is an old sacred forest with guided walks and picnic areas.
- Musanze Caves
A guided walk through a lava tube with bat colonies and collapsed openings.
- The twin lakes
Burera and Ruhondo, divided by a ridge with views of the volcanoes.
- Buhanga Eco-Park
A sacred forest of old trees and lava rock.
Things to do
- Cave tourUS$50
Guided walk with helmet and torch.
- Twin lakes boat trip
Arranged by lakeside lodges and local operators.
- Buhanga Eco-Park walkUS$40
Guided nature walk.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
When to go
June to September and December to February are driest. The caves can be visited in any weather.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Wetter
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Good
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) (tourist permit prices on the RDB permit portal). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musanze Cavesper adult, guidedRwandan citizens: RWF 4,000. Foreign residents of other EAC countries: US$30. | US$50 | US$30 | — | RWF 4,000 |
| Buhanga Eco-Park walkper adult, one dayRwandan citizens: RWF 3,000. Foreign residents of other EAC countries: US$35. | US$40 | US$30 | — | US$25 |
- Musanze Cavesper adult, guided
- Foreign non-resident
- US$50
- Foreign resident
- US$30
- East African citizen
- RWF 4,000
Rwandan citizens: RWF 4,000. Foreign residents of other EAC countries: US$30.
- Buhanga Eco-Park walkper adult, one day
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$30
- East African citizen
- US$25
Rwandan citizens: RWF 3,000. Foreign residents of other EAC countries: US$35.
- Rwandan citizens' rates are given under each row. Foreign residents need at least four consecutive months' residence or a work permit in their passport to pay resident rates.
- Book permits online through RDB or a licensed tour operator; cash is not accepted at the park. RDB does not say whether prices include VAT. Confirm the amount when you book.
Getting there
- By roadFrom KigaliAbout 2 hours
North on a paved road to Musanze; the lakes are about 30–45 minutes east of town.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Wear sturdy shoes in the caves; parts are uneven and slippery.
- Book cave permits through RDB, the same system as gorilla permits.
- Musanze is about 30 minutes from Kinigi, so it combines easily with gorilla trekking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Musanze Caves?
US$50 for foreign visitors, US$30 for foreign residents and RWF 4,000 for Rwandan and East African citizens.
How do I get to the twin lakes?
Drive or take a motorbike taxi about 30–45 minutes east of Musanze. Lodges and local operators arrange boat trips.
Sources
Checked on 25 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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