Ruhengeri is situated in the northern part of Rwanda close to the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo nestled among the Virunga Mountains.

Ruhengeri also known as Musanze is renowned globally for offering some of the world’s most intimate wildlife experiences including seeing mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in their natural habitat. Ruhengeri hosts several cultural and environmental festivities annually celebrating its rich heritage and natural beauty.

The best time to visit Musanze is during the dry seasons from June to September and from December to February. These periods offer the most favorable weather conditions for trekking and outdoor activities, ensuring a pleasant travel experience.

The town offers a mix of traditional and modern influences with vibrant markets and well-maintained infrastructure.

Historically, Ruhengeri has been integral to Rwanda’s tourism primarily due to its proximity to the Volcanoes National Park. This park is one of the last sanctuaries for the endangered mountain gorilla drawing thousands of tourists annually who come to experience gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda – East Africa.

The town’s economy benefits significantly from tourism with numerous hotels, restaurants and local businesses catering to international visitors. Additionally, Ruhengeri is surrounded by lush landscapes and fertile soil making it a vital agricultural hub within the region.

Beyond its economic activities, Ruhengeri is steeped in Rwandan culture offering visitors a glimpse of the country’s rich traditions and values. Community-focused events, traditional music and dance performances and local cuisine provide deep insight into the Rwandan way of life.

The town is also a base for numerous non-profit organizations that focus on conservation efforts and community development projects.

This town is not only a hub for gorilla trekking adventures but also a cultural center with vibrant markets and a warm community. Ruhengeri’s rich biodiversity is complemented by its scenic beauty from rolling hills to expansive bamboo forests making it an exceptional destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

When visiting Ruhengeri, ensure to book your gorilla trekking permit well in advance due to limited availability and high demand.

While in Ruhengeri, you can as well explore the Musanze Caves and Buhanga Eco-Park for perfect witnessing of the Rwanda’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in a single visit.

Accessibility to Ruhengeri is facilitated by Ruhengeri Airport just 2 miles from the town center and Kigali International Airport located about 62 miles away. This connectivity has played a critical role in the town’s development over the years.

Ruhengeri is also a base of the Dian Fossey fund memorial museum where people get to see and learn more of the efforts of the fallen primatologist Dian Fossey.

However, Gisenyi formerly known as Kisenyi is a city in Rwanda’s western province in Rubavu region. Gisenyi has a border Goma a city in Congo.

On the banks of Lake Kivu, Gisenyi has a resort with multiple hotels and three sandy beaches. The mostly done activities in Gisenyi are water activities or tours such as boat trips and visiting the hot springs. The northern coast of Lake Kivu where Gisenyi and Goma are located, there is a flat plain with lava deposits from Mount Nyiragongo and hence attracting more of the tourists from Rwanda. Gisenyi is a home to Bralirwa which produces a variety of local beers including Primus, Mutzig, Amstel, Guiness as well as Coca-Cola branded soft beverages.

Gisenyi marks the beginning of the Congo Nile Traill which extends 227 km to Rusizi and has plenty of biking and hiking trails to fulfill those who crave the some more adventure. Gisenyi is also known for its agro-tourism experiences with many tea and coffee plantations nearby.

Gisenyi is a small town compared to neighboring Goma in Congo though Gisenyi is growing quickly. In 2011, a new multistorey shopping mall began construction over an old bus station. As of 2011, the main roads of the Gisenyi town are paved and sidewalks are nearing completion for most of them as well.

The town has about 30 public and private schools including nursery, primary, secondary and a university. In 2012-2013, Gisenyi’s campus of Kigali Independent University enrollment about 3413 students who were pursuing programs in the faculties of Economics and Business Studies, Social Sciences and Law.

There are a variety of accommodation facilities where one can make a choice to stay in one of them while in Gisenyi. Some of them include Lake Kivu serena, Paradise Mala hide, Palm Garden among others.