Musanze Airstrip: Musanze Aerodrome, also known as Ruhengeri Airport is a public domestic airstrip located in the Northern Province in Musanze District of Rwanda, serving as the primary aviation gateway to Volcanoes National Park.
Ruhengeri Airport (IATA: RHG, ICAO: HRYU) lies approximately 227 kilometres, by air, northwest of Kigali International Airport, currently, the country’s largest civilian airport. Ruhengeri Airport is a medium-sized airport that serves the town of Ruhengeri and neighbouring communities. It is one of the eight public civilian airports under the administration of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. Ruhengeri Airport is situated at an altitude of about 1,860 metres above sea level. The airport has a single asphalt runway that measures 1,480 metres in length.
The terminal is modest but functional, with basic facilities. Upon arrival, visitors can quickly reach their lodges or the park headquarters. The airport’s location at the base of the Virunga Mountains provides immediate immersion into the region’s volcanic landscape.
Chartered Flights to Musanze Airstrip
You can organize a private charter flight or helicopter transfer to Musanze via Ruhengeri Airport (RHG), also known as Musanze Airstrip, through regional providers like Akagera Aviation or international brokers like JETVIP. There are no regular, scheduled commercial domestic flights connecting Kigali to Musanze; flights must be privately chartered
Akagera Aviation, a Rwandan-based company, operates flights from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip. They also offer flights to other major Rwandan destinations, including Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks. After seeing gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you can also travel to the mentioned places in a helicopter by Akagera Aviation. Flight tickets could be conveniently reserved through trusted tour operators.
Flights are conducted on helicopters, and a chartered flight operates daily from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airstrip. The aerial journey takes about 25 to 30 minutes by helicopter or around 40 minutes by small fixed-wing turboprop.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. The Park is found in Northwestern Rwanda, in Musanze district, occupying the steep slopes of the Virunga Mountain ranges, a popular spot for the mountain gorillas and a medley of montane ecosystems. Virunga National Park is situated about 2 hours drive from Kigali international airport making it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world. Spanning 160 square kilometers of lush rainforest, the park is most famous as a critical haven for endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, and it historically served as the research base for the celebrated primatologist Dian Fossey.
Volcanoes national park is home to golden monkeys Spotted Hyena, buffaloes elephants, black-fronted duiker, and bushbucks. The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori mountains and the Virungas.
Volcanoes National Park is located in a small village called Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri, which is very accessible by public transport from Gisenyi or Kigali or from the airport. The drive to Volcanoes national park is 2 hrs and hence one can do gorilla tracking on the same day and drive back to Kigali after the trek.
Tourist Attraction in Musanze
Golden monkeys
This is a species of primates found in Volcanoes National Park, whose habituated troops put up a show daily once visitors spot them. Unlike the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys are endangered and live in the bamboo forests of the park. About 2 troops have undergone a complete habituation process and are currently available for trekking with an expert from Volcanoes National Park. They can be tracked daily if you book a tracking permit to them. Permits can be booked through reliable tour operators and a valid permit is needed, each costing USD 100 per guest.
Musanze Caves
Musanze caves expeditions is perfect before/after you have had a successful trek with the volcanoes mountain gorillas. The caves are located near Volcanoes national park and feature a unique history that dates back about 65 million years. The Musanze caves are 2 km long, and as you walk through, you can come across amazing bird species, bats, reptiles, and other species.
Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
This place is located just a few minutes away from the park headquarters. This is where you will experience some of the finest elements of Rwandan cultural tapestry. Meet and interact with the peaceful people of a country with a rich socio-economic history. Explore and purchase unique handmade items such as baskets, mats, and many more. Traditional music, dances, and various culinary delights can be enjoyed from here.
Virunga volcanoes
With the majority of the Virunga volcanoes situated in Volcanoes National Park, you will enjoy some of the scenic views ever. The park has 5 of the 8 volcanoes, comprising Karisimbi, Gahinga, Bisoke, Muhavura, and Sabyinyo. Hiking adventures offer the best views as you can walk to the summits of Karismbi, Bisoke, and others. Additionally, you can see plenty of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and plants, etc.
Dian Fossey Tomb
After your trek to Volcanoes National Park, you will have a greater opportunity to hike to this memorable site. This is a grave containing the body of Dian Fossey, who is considered an icon of Volcanoes National Park. One of the several reasons she is so revered here, even after her mysterious murder, is her tremendous studies on the gorillas of the Virunga. She was also a conservationist and an advocate against poaching of the mountain gorillas.