The most beautiful natural sites to discover Northern Province

In a few hours, one climbs this 2,647 m peak which dominates Gakenke (Nemba), a small town located 1 hour's drive from Kigali and 30 minutes from Musanze. "The ascent is easy and can be done in the morning, and all along the hike, the view of the volcano chain is superb," notes Françoise Widmer, an experienced hiker. It takes about 3 hours to reach the summit and 2 hours to descend. And why not make the journey from Gakenke and Musanze (about 30 km), taking the cross-country trails used by the farmers, who are very numerous in this region? The landscape is pleasant, between eucalyptus forests and terraced crops, always with a magnificent view of the Virunga mountain range.

Practical info: the ascent is not free (40 US$ per person). It is managed by the company Beyond The Gorillas Experience. Contact Theodore Nzabonimpa (+250 788 495 604 - [email protected]). Professional guides will accompany you (including a French-speaking guide), they will show you the way and you will learn a lot by their side about rural life in the villages of Rwanda. A visit to the Mushubi primary school is usually scheduled. For those who would like to take their time, it is possible to camp at the summit, provided that you book in advance, and for the more sporty ones to continue this sumptuous hike the next day towards Musanze, through fields, villages, hills, lakes and eucalyptus forests (count 8 hours of walking).

Situated in a flood-prone valley in the Buberuka highlands (2,050 m above sea level) between Byumba and Ruhengeri, the Rugezi Marshland covers a total area of 6,735 hectares and is worth a visit. It has been recognized as one of the main ornithological areas of Rwanda. In fact, it is home to rare or endangered species, such as the king crane (Balearica regulorum), Grauer's scaup (Bradypterus graueri) or the aquatic chloropet (Calamonastides gracilirostris). It supplies water to lakes Bulera and Ruhondo.