How Much Does It Cost To Hike Musanze Caves In Rwanda In 2025/2026

how much is hiking musanze caves in rwanda in 2025/2026

Visitor category 

Foreigner 

Foreign resident in Rwanda 

Rwandan citizen 

East African citizen 

East African foreign resident

Adult 

$50

$30

RWF 4000

RWF 4000

$30

Student/child 

-

-

RWF 2000

RWF 2000

-


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Tourists are advised against making erroneous, incomplete, or false applications. Such cases may include, among others, applying for the wrong product, uploading a false ID or visa, and uploading an expired ID or visa. Please be advised that verification of tourist documents is done at park entry gates. Tourists who submitted incorrect, incomplete, or false applications WILL BE REFUSED ENTRY TO THE PARK, regardless of whether they paid for and received a system-generated permit. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris 

 

 In case of any doubt about your application and supporting documents please send your inquiry to Devine African Safaris Reservation Office on email info@gorillasafariscompany.com. click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

 

 Rwanda Development Board accepts no liability for erroneous, incomplete or fraudulent applications

Minimum age: 12 years and above.

 

what are the guidelines for hiking musanze caves in 2025/2026?

 Restrictions

Caves are not accessible to children under the age of 12.

 

 Requirements

Reporting times at Visitor Information/Registration Centers at Park entrance are 07h00.

To qualify for Rwandan or East African Foreign Resident status, foreign residents in Rwanda and East African countries must have a minimum of four consecutive months of residency status or work permit in their passport or diplomatic card.

A diplomat who has a residence visa can be allowed to use the applicable resident rates for his spouse and legally accepted children even if the spouse and legally accepted children do not have resident visas (reside outside of Rwanda).

 Reporting East African residents need to provide EAC ID cards or passports.

 

A tourist with one Rwandan parent and a tourist with a Rwandan spouse will be considered Rwandan as long as the Immigration and Emigration Director General confirms it.

 

 Processing Time

A tourist permit will be automatically issued by this system upon completion of the application process.

 

 Application Process

The application process is as simple as picking an available slot in the product of your choice, filling out mandatory forms, uploading the requisite support documents, and paying the applicable fees.

 

 Applications are made with full details of the client (names, passport number, email, and phone number) at the time of payment.

 

Bookings and Reservations are done on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Rwandan nationals are expected to pay the full amount at the time of booking.

Visits start at 7:00 a.m. from the Park Headquarters in Musanze.

what is the history of musanze caves

Delve into some natural and cultural lore at the Musanze Caves.

Formed by centuries of geologic activity centered around the Virunga volcanoes next door, the 1.25-mile-long Musanze caves are located just outside of the town they share a name with, and are only a 90-minute drive from Kigali. With an enormous opening (and an equally huge number of bats resident inside), the greenery outside spilling over into the twilight within makes for a fantastic photo op. Though today they’re a tourist attraction, the caves were used as a shelter during wartime for many centuries leading right up into the modern era, and as such, they're an important site to local people. Thus, out of respect for the area’s residents, access is limited to guided visits. Expert guides lead every tour, and they can explain the history of the caves from their formation to the present day.

 

 The tours make an excellent add-on activity for the afternoon after you’ve seen the gorillas; they take about 2.5 hours and can be done at any time throughout the year. Formed by centuries of geologic activity centered around the Virunga volcanoes next door, the 1.25-mile-long Musanze caves are located just outside of the town they share a name with and are only a 90-minute drive from Kigali. With an enormous opening (and an equally huge number of bats resident inside), the greenery outside spilling over into the twilight within makes for a fantastic photo op. 

 

Though they are now a tourist attraction, the caves were used as a wartime shelter for many centuries leading up to the modern era, and as such, it is an important site to the locals. Thus, out of respect for the area’s residents, access is limited to guided visits. Expert guides lead every tour, and they can explain the history of the caves from their formation to the present. The tours make an excellent add-on activity for the afternoon after you’ve seen the gorillas; they take about 2.5 hours and can be done at any time throughout the year.