← Kigali International Peace Marathon·3 nights

Three Nights in Musanze for the Volcanoes

A mountain base with a rest day first and a gorilla trek kept for the end, for runners who can recover on a slope.

Duration3 nights
TransitPrivate driver or operator transfer from Kigali
DepartsYour Kigali hotel

After the Kigali International Peace Marathon: Three Nights in Musanze

The Route: Kigali hotel → Transfer to Musanze → Mountain lodge (3 nights) → Return to Kigali Logistics: Book the permit and lodge through the official route or a licensed operator, and read the cancellation terms. Marathon Month: June Duration: 3 nights

Kigali hotel ──(transfer)──> Musanze lodge (3 nights)
                                   │
          Kigali <──(transfer)── Rest day ──> Gorilla trek <──┘

This is the demanding option. Gorilla trekking is a real walk, so do not trek the day after the race. Use the first full day to rest, and keep the trek for the last day or the one before it.

June in the Virunga foothills: the drier season is starting, but mountain weather changes quickly. Pack waterproofs, warm layers and boots that you have already walked in.

Before You Book

The ordinary gorilla permit has been USD 1,500 per person per day, with a minimum age of 15, but prices and rules change, so confirm them through the official booking route. Permits are limited, so read the cancellation terms and secure your race entry first. The briefing is at Kinigi at 07:00, so sleeping near the park avoids a pre-dawn drive from Kigali.

The Trek

The tourism authority says hikes run from about 30 minutes to four hours or more, at roughly 2,500 to 4,000 m. Groups are allocated by fitness, but you may still face a long, steep walk, so ask the operator for an honest assessment of your legs. A companion who does not want to trek can ask the operator about a gentler programme.

The Lodge

Choose a lodge near Musanze through your operator. Ask about heating, because the nights are cold at altitude, and about laundry for muddy kit. Check what the quote includes and keep luggage storage in mind if you return to Kigali for a final night.

Getting Home

Return to Kigali at the end of the stay. Keep a night in Kigali before an international flight if you can, because the road from the mountains can run late. Your hotel can arrange the transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL).