Musanze: A City advancing in tourism and sustainable development

February 25, 2025 Kwizera Juvenalis

Residents and visitors of Musanze city acknowledge that its natural beauty and landscape present a great opportunity for further development, particularly by expanding tourism sites to complement the activities in the Volcanoes National Park, home to gorillas, buffaloes, and other wildlife.

Musanze is surrounded by volcanoes and high hills, creating a breathtaking landscape. This natural setting gives the city a pleasant climate, appreciated by both locals and tourists.

The balance between warmth and coolness, along with moderate rainfall and sunshine, makes it an ideal place to live and visit.

The city covers over 4,100 hectares, with more than 850 hectares dedicated to forests. Within Musanze, over 1.4 million trees of various species can be found, including those planted in residential areas.

*The Mukungwa River valley is set to be properly developed*

This greenery enhances the fresh air quality, making it a major attraction for visitors.

Many tourists visiting Musanze come for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which also hosts a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna.
Beyond the park, Musanze boasts other scenic attractions, including the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, the Mpenge River with its small Cyuve Waterfall, and the Mukungwa River, which flows through the hilly landscapes of Musanze and Gakenke.

New Tourism Projects

Visionaries in the tourism sector believe these opportunities should be maximized. Nzabonimpa Théodore, the director of Beyond The Gorillas Experience, highlights the unique tourism potential of the Mukungwa River:

“Although we consider the Mukungwa River from Rwaza to where it merges with the Nyabarongo River, it holds exceptional value for tourism. Outside national parks, it serves as a habitat for rich biodiversity.”

To promote tourism, a five-year project is underway to develop the Mukungwa Valley, with 100 hectares designated for a nature-based tourism park called Mukungwa Eco-Park. Additionally, 5,000 hectares will be rehabilitated to restore the Mukungwa watershed.

*Buhanga Eco-Park is home to various wildlife species and offers historical and cultural tourism.*

Nizeyimana Etienne, the head of infrastructure in Musanze District, explains:

“Several initiatives are planned, including creating cycling trails, planting indigenous vegetation to attract diverse bird species, and building treehouse accommodations. This will be a well-maintained ecological site, providing recreational opportunities.”

This project, led by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), is set to begin in 2026, with its budget already secured. A total of 10 million euros has been allocated to transform the Mukungwa River into a valuable tourism destination, enhancing Musanze’s tourism appeal.

Musanze’s Urban Development

Besides the Mukungwa Eco-Park project, Musanze is also undergoing urban beautification. The city is developing 10 modern green spaces covering 185 hectares. Private investors are equally committed to aligning their projects with the city’s development goals.

Shirubwiko Emmanuel, chairman of the private sector federation (PSF) in Muhoza sector, explains:

*The Musanze Caves, one of the natural tourism attractions, draw many visitors*

“To build Musanze, we divided the city into four phases. We are currently in phase two, ensuring that every new building includes green spaces. If we implement these plans successfully, our city will rank among the best-developed in Rwanda.”

Over the past eight years, Musanze’s beauty has become more pronounced due to private sector investment in modernizing the city. The ongoing urban transformation is divided into four phases, with the first already completed—resulting in over 30 new high-rise buildings. The second phase, which includes 26 more buildings, is currently underway.

The urban renewal plan extends beyond the city center, as Tugengwenayo Theonas, chairman of the city’s development committee, states:

“Revamping Musanze is not limited to the central area. We are also upgrading surrounding neighborhoods and satellite towns. This is our commitment, and we will continue working towards it.”

Musanze is one of the secondary cities supporting Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. With over 230,000 residents—49% of Musanze District’s total population—the city’s growth reflects strong governance under President Paul Kagame.