THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Ruhengeri
Things to Do in Ruhengeri
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Volcanoes National Park, Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp, Safaris, Art Galleries. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Volcanoes National Park, Karisoke Research Center - Dian Fossey Camp, Safaris, Art Galleries. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Ruhengeri.
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$531
- fromper adultC$222
Historical Toursfromper adultC$163- fromper adultC$148
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$4,254
- fromper adultC$9,952
Day Tripsfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$1,327- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$491
- fromper adultC$251
4WD Toursfromper adultC$4,055
National Parks
Trek through a historic park with knowledgeable guides leading to mountain gorillas and Golden Monkeys amidst striking landscapes and a commitment to wildlife conservation.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Mountains
Other Top Attractions around Ruhengeri
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Michael LSydney, Australia18 contributionsWe visited the national park and did a gorilla trek. Guides were amazing and time with the gorillas was just out of this world. Hike was a bit tough at first, but it was all part of the experience. Would highly recommendWritten December 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- rockford22United Kingdom55 contributionsLet me start by providing some practical information as we found it tricky to get any real details before we arrived in Rwanda. You start at the Volcanos national park at 7am for sign in, free hot drink on arrival and there is a great atmosphere as everyone gathers for their respective hikes or gorilla trips. Once there you need to self drive (or your driver) about 30 mins to the trail start in a beautiful rural town on the volcano side. The last 15 minutes are real off road, walking pace speed crawling over boulders and rocks, a 4x4 is absolutely mandatory ( our Landcruiser was perfectly capable). The hike starts in farm land and rises quickly and steeply to the park entrance. Once inside a gate you will collect your military escort and begin the amazing walk inside the ethereal misty forest. Expect another steep section that flattens out to deep mud and bog in wet season, be careful not to lose your shoes. Once at the top the camp itself is relatively unassuming (non existent really) but its poignant and interesting to see. We did not see gorilla but we did get stopped by large mountain buffalo and our soldier escort stepped in to move them on (very dangerous animals). Overall a fab experience, would not recommend if totally unfit or inexperienced in hiking, the altitude is significant (3500m) and at points it is constant climbing. That said, as an averagely fit 30 something it was not so hard and the 70+Yr old hiker in our group managed just fine! A great way to experience the national parkWritten June 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephanie D3 contributionsI stumbled upon this art gallery and was so glad I did. It has an eclectic collection of art from the owner, Godfrey, and the artists he works with in the region. If you get a chance ask about the origin story of the center, it's inspiring and wonderful. I highly recommend this peaceful and beautiful place, and if you're lucky one of their youth drumming/dancing troupes will be performing, a bonus!Written February 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tim rDubai, United Arab Emirates22 contributionsMy brother and I just finished a fantastic two day hike up Mt Karisimbi, organised via Beyond Gorillas Experience. It was a wonderful hike, demanding but well worth it for the beautiful scenery and amazing views.
What was unexpected about the hike was that the two of us were accompanied by 15 - yes, 15 - members of staff, even though we were only two people!! We had a very nice guide, Epa, from the RDB who led the trip, a cook plus assistant from Beyond Gorillas, 6 porters and, most astonishingly, 6 soldiers from the Rwandan infantry to protect us from buffalo! We had no idea beforehand we would have so many ppl with us, but it was fun, if not exactly necessary, and the team looked after us incredibly well - carried our bags, made us an excess of great food, heated water for us to wash with when we woke up, etc. It felt like a very luxurious expedition compared to what we expected - not something we require at all, but very much appreciated.
I wanted to write a review in part because I could not find any information online about this hike, other than the official website. So here are my practical thoughts for anyone else doing the climb:
The huts we stayed at are at 3,500m. We did not start till late in the day, 1130am, so did not have time to make the 4500m summit the same day before nightfall, but we could have done if we had left 2-3 hours earlier, then descended to stay in the huts at 3500. As it was, we arrived at the huts mid/late afternoon and woke up at 5am to climb to the 4500m summit the second day. We did that ascent to the summit in 2 hours 10 minutes, but were told it usually takes longer. We were back down again before midday, including a stop at the huts for a very early lunch cooked by our chef. It would be possible for fit ppl to make it to the top and down in a singe day, but that would be a tough challenge for many - 2000m up and down each, and wouldn’t leave as much time to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
It is COLD sleeping at 3500 (early September) - we had very thick sleeping bags, provided by Beyond. We slept in a tent inside the hut, which made it a bit warmer. Our amazing team also gave us hot water bottles to sleep with!
Finally, make sure to take waterproof clothing, the weather was very changeable, sometimes warm and sunny, sometimes pouring with rain. The ground was quite muddy underfoot in places.Written September 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rob BBrentwood, UK91 contributionsAn early start we arrived at the park at 7 and after a quick briefing started tracking at 7.30 .. it’s a varied hike walking through grass lands and then into the secondary forest after an hour and half reaching the primary forest where we were lucky enough to see an elephant in the bamboo forest .. the trek now begins to become a little more demanding and 3 of the 5 guests including my wife decided to turn back but had had a great experience although they would have probably preferred the golden monkey trail if they were to do it again . The remaining hike is steep using permanent ladders to scale the volcano it took us 5 hours in total to reach the summit but the reward is great standing simultaneously in 3 different countries with 3 different time zones !! It’s a demanding physical climb for someone who doesn’t really hike mainly due to the altitude and steep ladder climbs .. but I would highly recommend itWritten October 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ishimwe O2 contributionsEverything was fine with storyteller guide Theophile we visited Ugandan national parks , gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife tours, kings palace museumsWritten July 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SteeveCasablanca, Morocco4,831 contributionsMount Gahinga is the smallest volcano in the Volcano National Park, in Ruhengeri, Rwanda. It culminates at 3,474 m. It is suitable for a first hike. We can talk about an easy hike. The first part is a massive bamboo forest where you will see buffalo and elephant footsteps. Then there is what we could call a small rain forest. The third part is an alpine zone, with less trees and more and more lobelias. I did this hike with my girlfriend. She enjoyed it. Reaching the top felt like an accomplishment. We saw interesting animals we aren't used to see in the capital, such as chameleons. I advise you to wear a pair of boots and to hire a porter to carry your backpack (RWF 10,000).Written March 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AKHKHong Kong, China26 contributionsI read the earlier reviews and I am confused with the reviews as some have said it was an easy walk and some say it was hard. I myself was one of the ones who came back down as the rest of my group was just going too fast and the entire path up was steep and muddy. I am now wondering if there are two different paths up? Worth looking into as I do a lot of hikes and was surprised at how tough I found it. It could have been the altitude but it only goes up to 3711 metres. It was very foggy at the top and my husband’s photos show nothing but fog. There were lots of people going to the other path to Diane Fossey’s grave. But the guides tell me that it gets steep as well. As others have said, it’s not worth it but may be the weather had a lot to do with it. As the others summitted except me.Written July 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SteeveCasablanca, Morocco4,831 contributionsThe Muhabura volcano is one of the 5 volcanoes that you can hike in the Volcanoes National Park, in Ruhengeri (Musanze - this town has two names). It is the second highest, 4,127 m. I did the hike last week. It was really nice. It took me 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach the top.
It was steep but not too difficult. We could speak of an intermediate hike. It wasn't muddy at all, like for example Mount Bisoke. There is a delightful crater lake at the top. It is the size of a public swimming-pool. To climb down is a little bit tougher, I must say, but very scenic. I didn't stop on my way up, but I did stop on my way down to marvel at the stunning landscape. It was a really pleasant day. I will do it again next year.Written March 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rob ALondon, UK38 contributionsAmazing experience. So different to everything else you can do in Rwanda. Not only do you get to learn about the whole wool process of how products are made, from the shearing of their own flock of merino sheep to the washing, dyeing and creating of the products, but you get to be involved with this amazing charity helping women from the local community who need help. It’s eye-opening, educational and a bit humbling. At $50pp for the basic tour it could be seen as a bit expensive, but having done it I’d pay double knowing what the charity does and the impact it has on these women.Written September 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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