Very few travelers know that they can experience caving while in Volcanoes National Park. There are 52 surveyed caves in the Northern Province with 15.2 km of cave passages. Most of these caves are developed from Cenozoic volcanic rocks. The longest cave in Rwanda is called “Ubuvumo Bwibihonga” a multi – level system of parallel lava tubes with a length of 4.530m. During your next safari in Rwanda, dont miss caving in the Volcanoes National Park area. Here are some of the popular caves that are visited by tourists.
The Musanze cave is 2km long and the most frequently visited cave. It is on the Innes University grounds and lies in the volcanic region dating back 65’ million years where the lava flow layers contributed to creating Albertine rift valley. Musanze cave has 31 entrances, most of these being roof collapses. This cave is part of the from lava basaltic layers from the Bisoke and Sabyinyo volcanoes. The cave entrance is vast, exceeding 10km and it is well proportionate with several side passages leading off from the main cave. bat roots are a feature of the cave and the collapses create an incredible array of colored shafts of light shining into the cave.
The busasamana cave, a 1km long cave link to a system of several other caves; the Kazenze, Mudende and Busasamana sectors, which in turn lead to the Mugongo, the Bweza and the Kabari caves. The caves are 8kms from the main Rubavu – Musanze road near the Busasamana Catholic Parish.
Mugongo cave is great for caving and easily located as it is to Mrs. Carr’s property. There are also camping facilities here.