Renting a car when visiting Ruhengeri/Musanze is one of the best options to get around to see the different sites. Renting a car gives visitors the opportunity to travel around at their own pace and absorb the beautiful scenery of the country. Hiring a private car and driver to transport you to the famous national park and other attractions is also a popular and cost-effective way.

Yes, Ruhengeri is a walkable town, it is a small town, and many accommodations, restaurants, sights, and attractions are within walking distance. There is some spectacular surrounding scenery in Ruhengeri with views of the magnificent volcanoes.

Ruhengeri is considered a safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers.

Shopping is not the main attraction in Ruhengeri, there are a few markets found in the heart of town, but you won’t find much other than some souvenir shops, and places to purchase authentic items like fabrics, etc.

The official language spoken in Ruhengeri is English (along with French and Kinyarwanda) which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/Rwandan guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The climate in Ruhengeri is a tropical savanna featuring warm weather most of the year along with a wet and dry season. The average temperature is around 77 degrees and higher with the average humidity around 74%. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June through September, this is the best time to spot the country’s famous highlight; the mountain gorilla. The wet season is from March to May as well as November, this is the optimum time for tracking chimpanzees. The temperatures in Rwanda hardly vary throughout the year due to its position just south of the equator. The days are usually warm and the nights are cool.

The currency of the Ruhengeri is the Rwandan franc (Rwf), although US dollars are widely accepted. You should either exchange your US dollars for Rwanda francs and be sure to keep cash on hand when arriving in Rwanda. Cash is preferred, there are ATMs found at the airport and locations in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

There is a great variety of restaurants to choose from in Musanze town, there are options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Visitors can choose from burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, brochettes, steaks, and baked breads. There are also options for typical Rwandan food which include potatoes, green bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, and meat.

Other popular dishes in the country include Isombe which is a dish made up of cassava leaves, cooked with onions, garlic, and tomatoes usually served with plantains and rice. Nyam Choma is a type of cornmeal porridge served with stress and curries. Igisafuiya is a type of grilled pork marinated in tomato, onion, and garlic, served with potatoes and vegetables. Inyamatenderi is a traditional Rwandan dish made from sweet potatoes that are boiled, mashed, and mixed with milk, butter, and sugar. Ibiharage is a dish made from red beans, cooked with onions, garlic, and tomatoes served with plantains, cassava, or rice. Akabenz is a type of bread similar to a baguette eaten with butter or jam. Umugati is a sweet dessert made from flour, coconut milk, and sugar.

There is not a wide range of nightlife options to choose from in Ruhengeri. There are a few bars, clubs, and restaurants in the center of town offering live music and entertainment. There are also some vibrant night markets.

In case of an emergency dial 111 for the fire department, 112 for an ambulance, or fire, and 999 for the police.

Hospitals: Musanze Hospital tel.250-252-546-330.