Introduction
The northern province of Rwanda is inhibited by some world famous celebrities, namely the gorilla's. In the vulcanoes national park you are able to search for and meet with these impressive apes. In the city of Musanze there are some beautiful caves which can be explore also.
Hiking near Byangabo
I arrived in Musanze on the third of June, late at night and dropped immediately in to a party. Sadly I was very tired so I went to bed early, I heard however the party was great fun. While regretting my choice during the night it rejoiced me the next morning/afternoon/evening. Because we would be going for a hike.
Walking through the town of Byangabo near the feet of a local hill I was stared at by the local people because I stood out as a white guy of almost two meters long. Feeling like a celebrity we started our hike for real by reaching the bottom of the hill. It started very steep on a muddery slope upwards. Half of the group was complaining when we were only five minutes climbing. But by resting and enjoying the view we managed to make it to the top. Here we witnessed a beautiful view of the local village beneath us surrounded by tea fields and other crops which I could not recognize. I could not recognize the tea either actually but someone told me what they were. When standing at the top of the first hill we saw dark clouds moving towards us like a flock of dark wild horsed running of a hill. In fear of getting trampled by the rain we quickly followed the hilltop because we saw small houses just a bit further. Just as the rain was about to start we reached a school with a overarching roof under which we could hide from the rain. I think we took about 45 minutes to reach the top of the mountain and we were now an hour underway. While taking shelter in a local school we were waiting patiently for the rain to stop. This was not that bad because on thop of this hill it was a beautiful sight seeing the rain come down on the valleys. After the rain stopped we decided to follow the hilltops to return to the city. What followed was an amazing hike across the hillstops. It felt like every other corner had another spectacular view waiting for you and the roads you were taking were straight out of a fairytale. Through a small village on the hilltops a narrow road, occupied by the villagers, the village children who followed you everywhere and the occasional goat stretched out before us. Check the pics. It was very slippery and eventhough everyone was holding hands as to not fall the occasional laugh of the villagers could not be avoided when someone slipped and would feel assdown in the mud. Sometimes more climbing than walking we managed to reach the top of another hill after which we would start out final descend. The last part of the hike was mostly flat but you could look back and see the distance you covered. It looked beautiful. Only made more prettier by the slowly setting sun. Words can only say so much, the pictures will give a better experience. |
Inshuti“Inshuti”; Kinyarwanda for friend. The many faced colour rich entrance to this art centre beckons for attention. I spot it one day while squeezed onto the window of a taxi heading back home to Byangabo, and...
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Soila's experiences in the northern province
3. Rubindi River
This is a great chance to witness the domestic life in Musanze. It is located in Byangabo Centre and is a short walk off the main road. One can see the locals as they plant various agricultural products such as sorghum and dry them in the sun. The river snakes through various settlements where the farmers take full advantage of it. The area is rocky, making it necessary for them to gather the volcanic soil form surrounding areas and pack it onto rocks so they can plant. There is also a natural spring that bubbles up from the ground and is used as drinking water. The river ends in an unseen underground waterfall that can be heard if you stand near it. Lots of legends and myths surround this wonderful phenomenon.
This is a great chance to witness the domestic life in Musanze. It is located in Byangabo Centre and is a short walk off the main road. One can see the locals as they plant various agricultural products such as sorghum and dry them in the sun. The river snakes through various settlements where the farmers take full advantage of it. The area is rocky, making it necessary for them to gather the volcanic soil form surrounding areas and pack it onto rocks so they can plant. There is also a natural spring that bubbles up from the ground and is used as drinking water. The river ends in an unseen underground waterfall that can be heard if you stand near it. Lots of legends and myths surround this wonderful phenomenon.
4. Caves
For those more daring, these caves are a great delight as you enter the pitch blackness with torches and find your way among the slippery muck to the other side. Children in the area are willing to guide you for a small fee (about 100RWF depending on how many help you). The cave varies between wide echoing caverns to narrow barely-there spaces that you have to squeeze through. It takes about 10 minutes to traverse the whole cave and the pictures you can take are well-worth the trip.
For those more daring, these caves are a great delight as you enter the pitch blackness with torches and find your way among the slippery muck to the other side. Children in the area are willing to guide you for a small fee (about 100RWF depending on how many help you). The cave varies between wide echoing caverns to narrow barely-there spaces that you have to squeeze through. It takes about 10 minutes to traverse the whole cave and the pictures you can take are well-worth the trip.
5. Hot Springs Massage
These are located near Lake Kivu (but in a different section from the beach). It costs 500RWF for East African members to enter. The natural hot spring bubbles up near the lake and the masseuses use it to give customers an herbal massage for 1500RWF. It lasts about 15mins and by the time they’re through with you, your legs and feet feel amazingly refreshed. Also included in the treatment is a foot mud bath where they encase your feet in hot mud for 5mins. It’s great fun, especially with friends.
There are lots more places to visit in Musanze such as the volcanoes etc, and if you have time you can explore more places.
These are located near Lake Kivu (but in a different section from the beach). It costs 500RWF for East African members to enter. The natural hot spring bubbles up near the lake and the masseuses use it to give customers an herbal massage for 1500RWF. It lasts about 15mins and by the time they’re through with you, your legs and feet feel amazingly refreshed. Also included in the treatment is a foot mud bath where they encase your feet in hot mud for 5mins. It’s great fun, especially with friends.
There are lots more places to visit in Musanze such as the volcanoes etc, and if you have time you can explore more places.
Musanze - where hills are king
Because of the height it can get cold by night. So warm sweaters are certainly not unnecessary! Musanze is located in the very North of the country. Beautiful hills and mountains are decorating the Musanze district.
Let me take you to Musanze!
Let me take you to Musanze!
Behold the mighty Virunga Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park s a breath-taking place where culture, adventure and conservation interact. The park is home of many Fauna and Flora, especially of the mountain gorillas. While a visit to the mountain gorillas is often very popular the dramatic landscape also offers thrilling hiking and visits to the fascinating golden monkeys.
Let me take you to Volcanoes National Park!
Let me take you to Volcanoes National Park!