Town in Northern Province, Rwanda
Musanze for solo travelers
Is Musanze good for solo travel?
Cool highland town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, the base for mountain gorilla and golden monkey treks and volcano hikes. Small and quiet, with few evenings out; permits are expensive.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women, with courteous locals. Dress modestly and use taxis or moto-taxis at night. |
How to meet people in Musanze
Group gorilla and golden monkey treks, volcano hikes and lakeside lodges are the easiest ways to meet people. Guesthouse dinners are social.
Good things to do alone
- Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Hike to the Dian Fossey tomb
- See golden monkeys in the bamboo forest
- Explore Musanze Caves
- Take a boat on Lake Ruhondo or Burera
Where to stay in Musanze
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Musanze town centre | Cheap guesthouses, restaurants, market and bus links |
| Kinigi | Lodges close to the park headquarters and trailheads |
| Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera shores | Quiet lakeside stays with views of the volcanoes |
Solo travel across Rwanda
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kigali | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Musanze | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Musanze good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Cool highland town at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes, the base for mountain gorilla and golden monkey treks and volcano hikes.
How do you meet people in Musanze?
Group gorilla and golden monkey treks, volcano hikes and lakeside lodges are the easiest ways to meet people. Guesthouse dinners are social. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Musanze?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Musanze safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women, with courteous locals. Dress modestly and use taxis or moto-taxis at night.
More about Musanze
Going to Musanze solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Musanze meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.