Esspasso Home Boutique is nestled in the scenic town of Musanze district, in the northern part of Rwanda. Esspasso Home Boutique is a premier destination for those looking to escape from Kigali city for mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkeys with elegance and style. Known for its unique blend of modern sophistication and local charm, Esspasso has become a go-to hub for the best rates for accommodation and meals. Click here to view mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Esspasso Home Boutique is situated near Volcanoes National Park in Musanze District; it prides itself on offering unmatched space and comfort. Esspasso Home Boutique is the perfect destination for weekend getaways from Kigali or a romantic honeymoon retreat, with special discount packages that include accommodation and meals. Relax and unwind in one of the eight beautifully constructed rooms, each featuring a private bath. Espasso Home Boutique offers an experience that will warm your heart and create lasting memories. Click here to see our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

Espasso Home Boutique offers a comfortable, modern facility and conveniently. This lodge provides the first unique African food and international kitchen in Rwanda. Espasso Home Boutique rooms are spacious, clean, and well-equipped with coffee-making machines and beverages. Espasso Home Boutique offers quick and noble service accompanied by well-trained professional staff. The view from the restaurant and bar is exceptional.

Espasso Home Boutique Restaurant offers an à la carte menu to please every palate. The in-house chef prepares a delightful local and international cuisine combined with an exquisite selection of French wines, fine liquors, and African local beverages.

Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorilla trekking is Musanze’s key attraction. The Volcanoes National Park is among the only four national parks where tourists can see mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park begins at 7:30 am with a morning briefing from one of the park rangers. After gorilla participants are given one of the habituated gorilla families.

Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The golden monkey is one of the cutest primates found in Africa. Golden monkeys feed on tree shoots, insects, and leaves. Golden monkeys stay in families or groups that can reach up to 80 members. Golden monkeys are playful primates and endangered, just like gorillas, and can only be seen in three countries—Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda. Volcanoes National Park offers two habituated golden monkey families that are open to trekkers.

Visit the grave of Dian Fossey: Dian Fossey was a great primatologist and considered the first person to study mountain gorillas in the forest. Dian Fossey discovered most of the activities in Musanze. Dian Fossey has made mountain gorillas comfortable in the presence of human beings, hence making mountain gorilla trekking possible. Dian Fossey also helped in stopping poaching and put much effort into protecting mountain gorillas.

Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo: Visit the two lakes that are close to each other and are often referred to as the Twin Lakes of Rwanda. Burera and Ruhondo are situated in an area with beautiful scenery and tranquility at the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes in Musanze. Lake Burera and Buhondo have a similar natural beauty to Lake Bunyonyi, Mulehe, and Mutanda of Uganda, with great opportunities for bird watching.

Visit the Musanze Caves: The Musanze Caves are over 1 million years old. Musanze caves were created during the formation of the volcanoes in the area. Lava poured out, flowed, cooled at the top, and created the molten rock moving underneath. The rock moving underneath left behind tunnels. The caves are a complex group of underground tunnels, some stretching for about 20 kilometers. Musanze Caves were used as shelter by the kings of Rwanda during wartime with neighboring tribes.

Hike one of the chained volcanoes: Rwanda protects five of the eight Virunga volcanoes that can be explored while in Musanze. Volcanoes include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo. Hiking Mount Karisimbi takes two days to reach the peak, while Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga have their starting points in Uganda.

Visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village.

The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is also now called the Gorilla Guardians Village, which keeps all you need to know about Rwandan culture and different tribes. The Iby’Iwacu cultural village was established by former poachers to benefit from tourism as an alternative source of income. Most tourists visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village before mountain gorilla trekking or after gorilla trekking.

Tour the Buhanga Eco-Park

The Buhanga eco-park is named after the first King of Rwanda. It is situated in the sacred Buhanga forest, where the Kings of Rwanda could be crowned after various ceremonies and rituals. The new king would be taken to Buhanga Forest in a carriage from the royal palace in Nyanza. Upon arrival in the forest, he would be bathed in the spring of water.

Birding

Bird watching can be done within Volcanoes National Park, but one of the best places to see bird species includes River Mpenge, River Mukungwa, the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, and Rugezi Swamp, which is arguably one of the best places for bird watching in Musanze. This vast marshland protects more than 100 species, such as the Grauer’s swamp-warbler.

The drive from Kigali city takes approximately two hours by road via the stunning landscape to reach Musanze. The road from Kigali to Musanze is of good quality and well maintained. Private cars can also be hired for about $50, excluding fuel and a driver. Tourists can as well use the public buses from Kigali to Musanze. Bus companies offering such services include Kigali Bus Services and Virunga Express, which have offices at Nyabogo Bus Station. Note: travelers should remember to buy their travel ticket just before boarding.