Blog - Viva Rwanda

5 Reasons you must visit Musanze in 2023

Musanze, a picturesque town located in the northwest of Rwanda, was recently included in TIME’s ‘World’s Greatest Places of 2023’ list.

TIME solicited nominations of places from their international network of correspondents and contributors, and Musanze was one of the few places that made the cut.

This recognition is not surprising, given the many attractions and experiences that this region has to offer.

Viva Rwanda has curated a list of five things that make Musanze worth visiting.

Gorilla Trekking

One of the top reasons to visit Musanze is the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking. Musanze is home to Volcanoes National Park, one of the few places in the world where you can see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The park is a protected area, and visitors are required to have a permit to trek. However, the experience of seeing these majestic animals up close is worth the effort and cost.

Natural wonders

Musanze is blessed with stunning natural scenery, including rolling hills, dense forests, and waterfalls. A visit to the nearby Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo provides a breathtaking view of the serene waters surrounded by hills.

The Musanze Caves are also a must-visit attraction, featuring an underground network of caves that were formed by lava flows.

Cultural heritage

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Musanze has a rich cultural heritage, with several historical sites and traditional practices that are still practiced today.

The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is a community-based tourism initiative that offers visitors the chance to learn about the customs, traditions, and way of life of the local people.

The village showcases traditional dances, music, and handicrafts, and visitors can also participate in activities such as banana beer brewing and cow milking.

Outdoor activities

Musanze is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as hiking, biking, and bird watching.

The Bisoke hike, which takes visitors to the summit of Mount Bisoke, is a popular activity for adventurers. The region is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 150 bird species recorded in the area.

High-end accommodations and culinary delights

Musanze offers a range of high-end accommodations, from luxury lodges to boutique hotels, providing visitors with a comfortable and luxurious stay.

Many of these accommodations feature breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty and offer world-class amenities such as spas and gourmet dining options.

Speaking of dining, Rwandan cuisine is a unique blend of African, European, and Asian influences, and Musanze is a great place to sample the local dishes.

The town has a vibrant food scene, with many restaurants and cafes offering a variety of traditional and fusion dishes. Some of the must-try local delicacies include grilled brochette, plantain dishes, and the popular ‘ugali’ (a starchy dish made from maize flour).

Musanze is a hidden gem in Rwanda that offers visitors a range of attractions and experiences.

From the awe-inspiring gorilla trekking to the stunning natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, outdoor activities, and delicious cuisine, there’s something for everyone in Musanze.

Why invest in Rwanda

Recognized globally as a safe and secure place, Rwanda remains relatively a virgin territory for investors. The country displays robust governance, strong economic growth and high level of investor confidence.

Fastgrowing

2^nd fastest growing economy in Africa (7.5% p.a. since 2007)

Most improved nation in human development in the world

Young and growing population (~70% of population under 30)

LowRisk

5^th safest country to walk at night worldwide

Lowest debt ratio in region & stable credit ratings

Stable currency

Business friendly & modern

2^nd for doing business in Africa1

1^st for Government transparency in Africa

Most women in Parliament and in a gender-balanced Cabinet in the world (respectively 61% and 50%)

A regionalplatform

Strong African hub potential; highly connected African airline

2^nd MICE ranking in Africa; +19 ranks in 4 years

Growing bilingual, educated workforce (~50k tertiary grad./yr)

ITready

1^st in the EAC for network readiness

5^th in Africa

95% 4G LTE network coverage; 7,000km fibre

How is it possible that Rwanda is developing at a faster rate than Nigeria?

I will be careful not to compare Rwanda and Nigeria. This is like comparing Singapore and the United States. How could you possibly compare the two?

Nigeria ( Red) is 35 times the size of Rwanda ( blue). 13 million people versus 180–200 million, depending on who is doing the stats. Both countries are different.

From what I gather from Nigerians, the issues of Nigeria are related to tribalism, change in leaderships, which fails to put together a cohesive vision for the country, and good governance ( zero tolerance to corruption, etc).

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country with a troubled past. Right now, they are fighting hard to get out of the poverty trap by branding their good governance to attract investments into their country.

On the other side, Nigeria is a very “rich” country. The issue of Nigeria is about allocation of resources to the common people. Having an efficient system to educate the masses, invest in healthcare to ensure a good quality of life for Nigerians, and investing in infrastructure to connect rural areas to the cities.

This is the whole concept of sharing the resources of their country among their people. Just look up how many billionaires and millionaires are based in Nigeria. You will be surprised.

Both countries are very different on any level you can think of. There are no lessons that Rwanda should be giving to Nigeria. Nigerian people are very smart. They have a very educated diaspora and can turn things around if they wanted to. They already know their problems and need nobody to lecture them about what they should do. Just see the examples below.

In Rwanda,

We have had one “ mighty” president for over 2 decades. Do you want Nigeria to have one president for 20 years? No Nigerian I know will agree to that.

We have one dominant party, which wins election by over 90% or more. Can this happen in Nigeria? I don’t think so in a million years.

Since the dominant party always wins election, their agenda and development plan never changes. Regardless of who is in the parliament, their agenda is always the same.

We have one language, one culture, and have kicked out tribalism due to our past. So, we are one people. This helps to communicate with one another, holding discussion about how to move our country forward, and making decision of how to get there.

We have the politics of cooperation and not antagonism. This is in part due to our past. We can disagree on ideas, but we try hard to stay civil about our differences. We don’t have time to fight over politics.

What are the results? This is a humble brag of course, but it is something.

2nd most competitive economy in Africa.

2nd Easiest place to do business in Africa.

#1 Safest and most secure country in Africa ( 9th, globally).

1st most transparent government in Africa ( 9th, globally).

1st best place to be a woman in Africa ( 5th, globally).

2nd country in ICT ( Information, communication, and technology) promotion globally.

After South Africa and Egypt, Rwanda ranks 3rd in hosting international conferences and assemblies in Africa.

The Rwanda today was prepared back in 2000–2003. The so called Vision 2020, which was designed to transformed from a low-income country to a middle income country. Since President Paul Kagame election in 2003, we have never looked back. We have been following the blueprint, checking each of the 44 measured goals, one by one. We are not where we want to be, but we are doing our best.

At the moment, we are already working on the new vision ( Vision 2050), which will upgrade Rwanda from a ( lower) middle-income country to an (upper) middle-income country. This will hopefully happen from 2025 to 2050. We are not worried because the agenda of the RPF will never change. They are not about to lose election anytime soon.

My answer to your question is that:

Nigerians do not need to replicate the model of Rwanda. I do not think that our model would work anywhere. Having one dominant party has been good for us given our past history of 1994. I don’t think it would work anywhere honestly.

The leaders of Nigeria in business, politics have all they need to form a model for Nigeria. Just see what Nigerian Artists, Musicians, Movie industry, and tech industry have done in less than 15 years? Naija has it all. There are a few missing screws to put the whole project together.

As a fellow African, I certainly wish them the best.

Didier Champion’s answer to Which country is the most developed, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, or Angola

What is Rwanda most famous for?

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains.

Travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience.

The Great Rift Valley

The west of Rwanda forms a branch of the Great Rift Valley known as the Albertine Rift. It has many unique, endemic species and is bursting with life.
Chimpanzees, golden monkeys and other primates live alongside hundreds of brightly-coloured birds, orchids and butterflies.

And that is only scratching the surface…

Responsible Tourism

As guardians of many iconic species, Rwanda is committed to safeguarding their existence within the four National Parks.

We are constantly working to ensure we can live in sustainable harmony with our environment, with a clean and green mindset. We banned plastic bags in 2008, and our lands are possibly the cleanest in Africa thanks to efforts throughout every community.

Ten percent of the income derived from gorilla, safari and other tourist permits, as well as park fees, is spent in partnership with local communities to change lives for the better.

Epic Scenery

Rwanda’s dramatic vistas are endless, with a fresh perspective around every corner.

Our country is full of beauty and managing to explore it all is easy, thanks to an excellent road network linking the core areas.

Visitors can rest assured the country is safe as well as stunning – Rwanda was ranked the 9th safest country in the world by the World Economic Forum.

Vibrant Culture

Warm and friendly, Rwandans are also respectful, thoughtful and committed to the idea of progress, starting at the grass roots and running all the way to the top.

From the ancient kingdom to the modern day, creativity is something to be celebrated, whether through traditional dance, unique architecture or works of art.

Tech Incubator

Zipline

Rwanda is an ideal tech incubator, thanks to its compact size and appetite for innovation.

We welcome pioneering initiatives such as that by Silicon Valley company Zipline, which now delivers critical blood products to rural medical clinics across our mountainous lands.

Paving the Way

Volkswagen

The German carmaker has just opened an assembly plant in Rwanda, which will create up to 1,000 jobs.

In a new chapter of economic transformation, VW is also spearheading community car sharing and ride-hailing by smartphone.

Centre of Excellence

Innovation City

Discover an area in Kigali for world-class universities and think tanks to mingle with technology companies, helping drive private sector growth.

Innovation City is an ecosystem linking high tech industry, research and education with capital investment, which aims to create jobs and reduce our current account deficit.
Incentives

Special Economic Zones

Discover why we are the second fastest growing economy in Africa, and prepare to enjoy the opportunities accrued from the free trade agreements that we’ve signed with over 50 countries.

Designated serviced land is provided for small and large scale industrial development, as well as reliable, quality infrastructure, competitive fiscal and non-fiscal regulations and streamlined administration procedures.

Why is Rwanda called the Switzerland of Africa?

Considered the ‘Switzerland of Africa’ due to its breathtaking mountainous landscapes, Rwanda is also home to the formidable mountain gorilla. Mountain gorillas can be found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and certain areas of Uganda

GORILLA TREKKING

Trekking Mountain Gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda makes an excellent add-on to a Tanzanian or Kenyan safari, as the brief trek is easy to fit into a full itinerary. A gorilla visit can entail anything from an hour to several hours trekking through the forest, led by experienced trackers, ending with one full hour observing these incredible animals.

VOLCANOES, RWANDA

Situated in northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is one of the country’s most popular destinations. The rainforests of the 5 Virunga Volcanoes are the last refuge of the Mountain Gorilla. The lush slopes of the volcanoes provide an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is perhaps the most poignant and thrilling wildlife experience to be had anywhere. Famous for the research base of Dian Fossey, the late American primatologist, and, subsequently, as the setting for the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, the park continues to uphold its reputation as a destination for unrivaled wildlife encounters.

Why is Human Rights Watch always against President Paul Kagame?

Here is a simple answer by Rafael Hukai.

When I worked in Africa, I visited Rwanda several time, and witnessed the transformation under President Kagame’s leadership. I also work with many people who used to serve the military under General Kagame. Together, they turned the country from killing hell to a shining start in East Africa. The country is clean, orderly and progressing.

Who is HRW? Do they care about people’s life and lifelyhood, or just their own ideas? I am happy to see Rwanda people stand on their own term, and I am looking forward to go back their to be part of their country rebuild effort. They don’t have natural resources, they don’t have a sea port, all they have is hardworking and intelligent people, with a great leadership. They will be Singapore of Africa.

Quotes: Rafael Hukai

Paris Saint-Germain and Visit Rwanda Extend Partnership to 2025

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Visit Rwanda have extended their partnership through to 2025, following three successful years of collaboration. The partnership aims to spotlight Rwanda as a leading tourist and investment destination in Africa, while fostering cultural and creative synergies.

Despite pandemic-related challenges, Rwanda has successfully promoted its tourism sector, welcoming over a million international visitors and generating nearly half a billion dollars in 2022. The country aims to increase tourism revenues to 800 million dollars by 2025.

Since 2019, PSG and Visit Rwanda have launched impactful initiatives across various areas. PSG players and legendary former players have discovered Rwanda’s treasures through dedicated trips to the country. Visit Rwanda’s logo is prominently featured on the men’s team’s training and warm-up kits, and Rwanda’s finest tea and coffee are exclusively served at the PSG stadium.

The PSG Academy Rwanda, which opened in Huye in 2020, offers comprehensive PSG training to over 100 children, including beneficiaries of the club’s Foundation. The academy claimed victory in the boys’ U-13 category at the PSG Academy World Cup last year, marking Rwanda’s debut in the annual competition in Paris.

Viva Rwanda

Viva Rwanda

Submit your question