Every year, thousands of gorilla trekkers make the journey from Kigali to Musanze (also known as Ruhengeri) as the first leg of their Volcanoes National Park adventure. It's a beautiful, straightforward drive — and with a rental car from Rent Cars Kigali, you can do it entirely on your own schedule.
Route Overview
Distance: Approximately 110 km
Drive time: 1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic and stops
Road quality: Excellent tarmac throughout
Best time to drive: Early morning (6:00–8:00 AM) to beat Kigali traffic
Turn-by-Turn Route
Leave Kigali heading north on the RN2 toward Rulindo. The road climbs steadily out of the city, offering spectacular views back over the hills. Pass through Base and Rulindo, continuing north through Gakenke and into Musanze. The town is easy to navigate and the road to Kinigi park headquarters is clearly signposted from there.
Best Stops Along the Way
- Rulindo — Tea plantations, great photo opportunity
- Musanze Caves — A 45-minute detour worth making
- Twin Lakes (Burera & Ruhondo) — Stunning crater lakes, 20 minutes from Musanze
Which Car for This Route?
The highway itself is fine for any car. However, once you arrive in the Volcanoes area, lodge driveways and the track toward the gorilla starting points can be rough — making a RAV4 or Land Cruiser the right choice.
Book your Kigali to Musanze car hire now — we'll have it ready at your hotel or the airport before you need to depart.
