Caves

Tourists are advised against making erroneous, incomplete or false applications. Such cases may include among others, applying for the wrong product, uploading a false ID /Visa and uploading an expired ID/ Visa. Please be advised that verification of tourist documents is done at park entry gates. Tourists who made erroneous, incomplete or false applications WILL be denied entry to the park regardless of whether they paid and acquired a system-generated permit.

In case of any doubt about your application and supporting documents please send your supporting documents to RDB Tourism Reservation Office on email reservation@rwandatourism.com.

Rwanda Development Board accepts no liability for erroneous, incomplete or fraudulent applications

Minimum age: 12 years and above

Visitor Category Adult Student / Child
Foreigner $ 50 -
Foreign resident in Rwanda $ 30 -
Rwandan citizen RWF 4000 RWF 2000
East African citizen RWF 4000 RWF 2000
East African Foreign resident $ 30 -

Requirements

Reporting times at Visitor Information/registration Centres at Park entry is 07h00 in the morning.

Foreign Residents in Rwanda and East African countries need to have a minimum of four consecutive months' residency status/work permit in their passport or diplomatic card to qualify for the Rwandan/East African Foreign resident status.

A Diplomat who has a Residence visa can be allowed to use the applicable resident rates for his spouse and legally accepted children even if the spouse and legally accepted children do not have the resident visas (reside outside of Rwanda).

Reporting East African residents need to provide EAC ID Cards or Passports.

A Tourist with one Rwandan parent and a tourist with a Rwandan spouse will be considered as Rwandan as long as Immigration and Emigration Director General confirms it.

Restrictions

Children (Below the age of 12) are not allowed into Caves.

Processing Time

A Tourist Permit will be automatically issued by this system upon completion of the application process.

Application Process

The Application process is as simple as picking an available slot in the product of your choice, filling mandatory forms, uploading requisite support documents and paying the applicable fees.

Applications are made with full details of the client (names and passport email and phone number) at the time of payment.

Bookings and Reservations are done on a first come first served basis.

Rwandan nationals are expected to pay full amount at the time of booking.

Visits start at 07:00am from the Park Headquarters in Musanze.

Delve into some natural and cultural lore at the Musanze Caves.

Formed by centuries of geologic activity centred around the Virunga volcanoes next door, the 1.25-mile long Musanze caves are located just outside of the town they share a name with, and are only a 90-minute drive from Kigali. With an enormous opening (and an equally huge number of bats resident inside), the greenery outside spilling over into the twilight within makes for a fantastic photo op. Though today they’re a tourist attraction, the caves were used as a shelter during wartime for many centuries leading right up into the modern era, and as such, it’s an important site to local people. Thus, out of respect for the area’s residents, access is limited to guided visits. Expert guides lead every tour, and they can explain the history of the caves from their formation to present day.

The tours make an excellent add-on activity for the afternoon after you’ve seen the gorillas, take about 2.5 hours, and can be done at any time throughout the year.Formed by centuries of geologic activity centred around the Virunga volcanoes next door, the 1.25-mile long Musanze caves are located just outside of the town they share a name with, and are only a 90-minute drive from Kigali. With an enormous opening (and an equally huge number of bats resident inside), the greenery outside spilling over into the twilight within makes for a fantastic photo op. Though today they’re a tourist attraction, the caves were used as a shelter during wartime for many centuries leading right up into the modern era, and as such, it’s an important site to local people. Thus, out of respect for the area’s residents, access is limited to guided visits. Expert guides lead every tour, and they can explain the history of the caves from their formation to present day. The tours make an excellent add-on activity for the afternoon after you’ve seen the gorillas, take about 2.5 hours, and can be done at any time throughout the year.

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