These caves were also formed as a result of volcanic activities in the past 65 million years ago and are among the Albertine Rift valley. The caves are also two kilometers long beneath, with 31 entrances and are the most visited among the 52 caves that are found in the Northern Province.
Once you reach there, you will be asked to put on the protective gears, a touch helmet, the gloves, and the mouth and nose cover. The tour guides will be seen with guns for protection which therefore shows that there is good security. There is also a sign post at the entrance that “any caving activity must be guided and guarded.
The I’wacu also explains that the caves are 2km long and they were formed from Lava basaltic layers from the Sabyinyo and Bisoke volcanoes that consist of the Albertine rift valley. This entrance is big and you get inside, it’s a pitch with the aid of the torch helmet, you are also able to go through the caves. These walk paths are also clearly made even though one has got a feeling that a rock might fall or the ground might also collapse.
The Musanze caves have also got other rooms in side and it’s the reason as to why the tour guide asks you not to get diverted from the guided route. This safari takes two hours and since you reach late, you will also do one hour. More so, walking through the caves, we managed to see the bats hanging upside down and the different wild plants that had grown on the walls. The water also drops through the hanging walls. We also saw some personal properties that proposed that the locals come to the place.
The I’wacu also told us that these caves were used as the hiding areas during the genocide against the Tutsi. Touring these caves will give you a different tourism experience as compared to mountain gorilla trekking as well as bird watching. The dark areas make it so hard to be able to describe the place and the experience of turning off the lights and the standing in the total darkness is so magical.
In this 2 hour trip to Musanze caves, you will expect to view the hanging upside down as well as the different wild plants that are grown on the walls. Some of the water drips through the hanging walls. These caves were also used as shelter and the hiding places during the wars in the past and in present as tourism activities that are guided by the armed experts.
You can tour Musanze caves in the evening or in the afternoon after enjoy golden monkey tracking and Gorilla trekking. These can also be visited at any time of the year and there is no need of booking safaris to Musanze caves in advance.
These caves in Rwanda also give the in-depth understanding of the geological history and the development of the earth. They are located in the volcanic region of Rwanda where the different lava flow layers date back from 65 million years ago that created the Albertine Rift valley, these caves are also 2 kilometers long beneath.
The Musanze Caves, Rwanda yielding Travel tourism
This caving activity in these caves is fairly new and also started recently some few years back. These are not yet so famous but part of it can be put on low promotion. You will be faltered upon on that when you arrive at the reception of volcanoes national park. You will also see a sign post on the way and when you ask them, they will inform you that they organize caving as well.
About caving adventure
Here you can be able to do caving in the first half of the day and this impresses many tourists and it forces them to get so excited and horribly pay a fee of $30. You will soon be introduced to your guide who also will become your good friend simply because these guides are so friendly and close to the tourists and he will give you tips of the next few days as you will be in the town of Musanze. There is also the reception that is so scenically situated on the foot hills of volcanoes national park and you can also see the most beautiful volcano, mount Sabyinyo that is behind it. This is so beautiful that you could just see it for many hours.
About the Musanze Rwanda caving equipment travel tourism
Within one hour, you have to be ready to leave. It sometimes takes a lot of time as they charge many lights that you are to use in the cave. You will be impressed at looking at the gears you are to carry and also most excited to go into these caves. Most of the times, one needs a vehicle to go to the caves, but when you come by a taxi bus, they will have to offer you a ride in a park safari vehicle that is used for conservation work and it’s not used by the tourists. But in most case you can be offered a free ride especially when you are alone and when you are a friend to the soldiers.
Caving in Musanze Caves- Entrance to the Caves
After a drive of about 30 minutes, you will be so near to the entrance of the cave. You will have to dress up before going down into the darkness and this adds to the excitement. You will be given the following.
The head cap
Helmet
The light face covers
Gloves
Knee caps
Boots
The hand torch and many instructions
The caves to Musanze are so famous with the bats of the near countries, namely Uganda and Tanzania and there are also many types of bats including the exotic fruit bats. The escorts also follow you inside the cave.
This cave is also long but still you can manage to do a short stretch of it within one hour. There is no light inside these caves and you have to use the head lights on the helmet all the time. This is also good for you but the sharp light is known to disturb the bats and make a lot of noise it’s also good when you switch off all the lights inside and then stand quietly these bats also calm down and then go silent. You can also feel them flying close to you, the wings panicking, the strange bats stink and many more.
The last bit of caves is also the most beautiful.
Musanze Caves in Genocide Times
These caves became so protruding during the genocide in 1994, it was used by the residents that flee the killers to hide and save themselves. Many of these lived here for months and made the caves their homes. However, it must have been tough living inside there with no lights, little food and many bats. There is a new walk way in place now and back then, it was only rocks and the rough terrain.
The Travel Tips
In case you are in Musanze, you can take a bike taxi to the reception of volcanoes national park. There is no booking needed and this taxi will only cost FRW 2000.
There is also a car or jeep that is needed since you can put all the caving items there
Caving takes 1 hour and is not all tough since it’s an adventure for every one
You need to carry water and food though you can’t have it inside the cave
The cameras are useless, unless you need to use a tripod as you take long exposure photos
Silence, it’s so peaceful that you feel your thoughts layering in order with your brain. The darkness when you enter to enjoy the serenity. It is also one of those moments you will have to enjoy when you pay a visit to Musanze caves, which is one of Rwanda’s best hidden treasures.
More so, your guide will ask you to go emotionless, if you go there while listening to music, it will be better for you to either lower the volume or even to switch off the music.
The Atmospheric
These caves are so cool and so natural, this moment is beautiful and the reflection also deserving and the cultural folklore at Musanze caves. You will also be thankful for the geographic activities that bring the grottos into the existence. There are also few reasons to worry but your heads will have to be covered in helmets, the hands gloved well, your knees capped and the eyes will be closed as well.
The Rwanda Development Board that brings together all the government agencies for the all investor adventure under one roof provides you that.
About the Wild organisms
In case meditation is about allowing the world out and enjoying the moments, then I would also like to have more of such relaxed moments. There are also the bats that fly through the colored sharfs of light. There are two types, the fruit eaters and the insects. Just at the entrance of the caves is a children’s playground. There are a few meters away and a large entrance that is about 10 meters wide. There is also the green foliage on both at the entrance and the exit, with some trees.
Photographic
For the photographers, these also present some creative back-drops. As you dress up in the trip gear, the locals stop to observe. Along the way and at the tail of the fourth segment, there are village boys waiting and shooting eagerly.
And when the cameras face their way, they start posing and then engage in some of cavorting. The journey in, is somehow long and winding through the natural rock shelter that is held together by stone on the ground and at the ceiling, these are so delicate.
The guide will tell you to go slow as you walk through the caves. You will also be told to keep your voices low since there are bats and in case they get hear the loud voices, they will run away.
Something special
These caves are formally opened recently and this is yet another key result towards the main goal to the increase tourism products; the caves are also expected to attract many tourists, there is hope to see them as they spend more days in Rwanda and most especially in Musanze which is among the destination Management areas. These were also skillful in collaboration with the ministry of defense Reserve Force. These works included the establishment of tourists walk ways and the trails, stairs and the safety measures for the tourists.