Things to do & places to visit in Northern Province, Rwanda

Northern Province #2 destination in Rwanda 2023. The average rating score is 4.94 based on 1.804 traveler reviews, of 33 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Kigali, current date and time: Thursday, May 09, 2024, 17:55.

Northern Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

73°F - 56°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool, humid but cool

Feels like

60%

Chance of rain

290.0 millimeters

Amount

8.5 mph

Wind speed

97%

Humidity

12.0

Daylight length

5:54 AM

Sunrise

5:57 PM

Sunset

31%

Cloud cover

Sweater, rain coat and rain boots

What to wear

Top things to do (53)

Top destinations in Northern Province 6

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Volcanoes National Park (1.204 reviews)
- If able this is a must see place for anyone who can get here.
Thursday: 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

The "Parc National de Volcans" (or PNV as it's known by locals) lies along the Virunga Mountains, with 8 ancient volcanoes, which are shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just a short two hour drive from Rwanda's capital of Kigali, the park is a central location for exploring some distinctly Rwandan experiences. While a visit to the mountain gorillas is often at the top of visitor, the dramatic landscape also offers thrilling hiking and visits to the fascinating golden monkeys. See more..
5.0 Mission Africa Safaris (101 reviews)
- ONCE A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

The tour arranged the Entebbe to Bwindi flight. We stayed at a very nice lodge. Payment was pretty simple, itinerary was well arranged by the company which was customized with our time in Uganda. We met one of our drivers guide on the first day. He came to the hotel to brief us about the program in Entebbe. He also picked us back the next day to the airport. The drivers were all sweet, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We couldn't have chosen a better company than go Gorilla Trekking. They deliver great value for money and are very attentive. The company made us feel comfortable. This part of Uganda is quite safe (it's a safer part of the continent) but it was reassuring knowing that we were in good hands. They were all amazing. We were assigned to a gorilla family, normally about 8 members in our group, but we did with our group of 6. We rented some jackets. We were continuous being told that .. " the weather changes in the mountains" Pls wear fully covered cloths, shoes, dark colors. We left for the trekking after the briefing for our route by car. We hired 5 porters. We trekked around 5 km in total. It's an amazing experience The porters were excellent. Super supportive. I HIGHLY recommend this tour and this activity. See more..
5.0 Lava Bike Tours (68 reviews)
- Amazing trip with a great guide!
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 AM Cultural Tours • Bike Tours

"Lava Bike Tours" provides really unique bike ride experiences across Rwanda and its beautiful landscape. The communication with Yannick was easy and professional. He is super friendly, reliable, always open to help and open for a chat. The pick-up service in the morning with the van was highly appreciated. Highlight: The landscape around the Twin Lakes. I highly recommend the bike tours with Yannick- it's simply amazing. We hope to come back again and have another ride. All the best See more..
5.0 Beyond the Gorillas Experience (45 reviews)
- An Unforgettable Experience - thank you!
City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Private Tours • Factory Tours • Safaris • Bike Tours • Climbing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Day Trips

What an incredible three days! Thank you Beyond the Gorillas for an amazing trip. The pick up at my hotel in Kigali, the many stops for pictures along the way, the market visit, the boat ride, and especially the school visit. Those five year olds - what a greeting! It was all so awesome and culturally rich. I really appreciated the way you incorporated the entire local community into the experience. And you really should be commended for your social enterprise model, that of helping the communities through training and support! LOL … when I come back in better shape, I want to do the Mount Mbwe hike, Twin Lakes boat tour and definitely the lunch on Michael Island again! Thanks again for an unforgettable experience! Steve Hays Founder/President Connect Rwanda See more..
5.0 Umuzabibu Mwiza - Home to Handspun Hope (36 reviews)
- Making a bigger connection!
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

As you visit Umuzabibu Mwiza, as seen on CNN African Marketplace in March 2019, witness firsthand this remarkable project and meet the women as they participate in the age old craft of spinning yarn from the fleeces of their own flock of Merino sheep. Using only hand tools and spinning wheels, discover how the women create organic yarn and dye it naturally with native plant materials such as cosmos petals, onionskins and eucalyptus leaves. After your tour, you will have an opportunity to purchase Handspun Hope yarn and hand knit products. We are certain you will find the perfect Handspun Hope keepsake to take home from your trip to Rwanda! See more..
5.0 Umubano Tours - Day Tours (24 reviews)
- Great experience
Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

I contacted Umubano tours some two weeks before my trip to Rwanda to see if they can arrange a 1 day trip for me to the Akagera national park. They were very responsive, I usually received a feedback to my emails within 24 hours. They sent me the exact schedule of the trip and all the needful details. As per their commitment the drive was there waiting for me in front of the indicated hotel at 5.30AM. The guide in the park was great, and staff spoke good English (my French knowledge is limited so I cannot comment on that one). All in all, everything went well beyond my expectations, from the point of establishing contact with the company via email to the end of my trip. I wish I could do the gorillas trip with them as well, but my travel schedule didn't allow that. Hopefully next time. I cannot but recommend Umubano tours. See more..
5.0 Red Rocks Rwanda (16 reviews)
- Isabelle (France)
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

We spent an interesting afternoon in Red Rocks, learning about traditional medicine using local plants. The guide had a very high level of knowledge about botanic. This local active community is very frindly and also proposes other interesting activitivies, including beehives, banana beer making, baskets making... I highly rtecommend to visit the center, as it is way to support local community and have a great time!!! See more..
5.0 Slow Hike Africa (13 reviews)
- Reliable, knowledgeable and a lot of fun.
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Safaris • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Boat Tours • Beer Tastings & Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

We hiked the vulcano Bisoke, Ferdinand organized wonderful hikes around Twin Lakes, we hiked in Nyungwe... Ferdinand listens very well to what his guests wants and is such an interesting story teller ánd inquisitive person. When we were in trouble and did not know who to call, he jumped in to help even though he wasn't guiding us that day. Highly recommended!!! See more..
5.0 Mist Rwanda Safaris (13 reviews)
- Best tour company in Uganda & Rwanda
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Private Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Day Trips

Mist Rwanda Safaris is an incredible company and we can’t recommend them high enough. We spent 2 weeks in Uganda & Rwanda with them (tailored made package). Our trip was arranged by Brian, who constantly altered our itinerary according to our wishes. He couldn’t have been more helpful and accommodating. Our guide / driver was Kayi who is an incredible guy and would always go the extra mile getting us what we wanted, such as tasting local food or stopping at the right place to get the perfect photo. He was really good company and was great at teaching us the local lingo! We would definitely recommend asking Kayi as your driver! See more..
5.0 Gorilla Remarkable Tour (10 reviews)
- It was fantastic
Multi-day Tours • Boat Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

The trip was amazing, we enjoyed in boat riding and different activities at Kivu lake, We enjoyed in water spring See more..
5.0 Ntakibazo Tours (10 reviews)
- Rwanda "hands on" experience
Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Running Tours

We had a great time with Olivier hiking the twin lakes of north Rwanda, through the small villages and local population, getting the real feel of the country and the people. Than biking a part of the Congo Nile trail Olivier choose a moderate part perfect for us. We had great time with excellent gear. See more..
5.0 Lux Gorilla Safaris Ltd (8 reviews)
- Rwanda is a beautiful country
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Safaris • Bike Tours • Boat Tours • Walking Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Bus Tours • Day Trips

The whole trip was a great experience. The chimpansees and Lake Kivu where very nice. We have travelled through Rwanda. It is a beautiful country. Very nice people. Very impressive to see. Lux Gorilla Safaris organized this very well. Emanuel is a very good guide. So we had a nice trip. See more..
5.0 Joel’s Eco-Tours (7 reviews)
- Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Beer Tastings & Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Food Tours • Photography Tours • Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Balloon Rides • Bike Tours • Eco Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Running Tours • Day Trips • City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Helicopter Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Night Tours • Private Tours • Bus Tours • Shopping Tours • Walking Tours

Joël is a fantastic tour operator. He adapts the trip completely to the customer's wishes. He arranged for us a gorilla trekking in Uganda from Musanze for a correct price. We always had a good time with him during our trips. See more..
5.0 Inshuti Arts and Culture Center (7 reviews)
- Amazing arts and culture center
Art Galleries

A creative art center/ gallery with a fast food restaurant and refreshments bus See more..
5.0 The Roots of Nyabingi Heritage Center (6 reviews)
- Mr. Sylvere
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Bike Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Really cool and run by young energetic Rwandan guys. It’s one of the amazing trip in Burera district . Happy faces and truly experienced tour guide See more..
5.0 Go primate safaris (5 reviews)
- Gorilla Trekking
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Coffee & Tea Tours • Food Tours • Factory Tours • Photography Tours • Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Bike Tours • Climbing Tours • Eco Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Running Tours • Archaeology Tours • Day Trips • City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Helicopter Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Night Tours • Private Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Bus Tours • Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Fashion Shows & Tours • Shopping Tours • Safaris • Taxis & Shuttles • Gear Rentals • Boat Rentals • Golf Courses • Speed Boats Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

Mary was awesome in planning our visit to the beautiful country of Rwanda. She was very flexible when there was a change of plans to our itinerary. She answered all of our questions & was very patient with us as we tried to coordinate our trip. Our trip to Rwanda had many cultural interactive opportunities with the friendly local people to learn about Rwanda’s culture & history. The best part of our trip was Gorilla Trekking the Amahoro family group in Volcanoes National Park. Coming face to face with the majestic gorillas was an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. Thanks so much to Mary & her team for exceeding our expectations and making our amazing trip a memorable one. I will recommend to all family & friends. See more..
5.0 MASHA (Musanze Arts Studio Hub Adventure) (5 reviews)
- Musanze Arts Studio Hub Adventure
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Art Galleries

Musanze Art Studio Hub Adventure (MASHA) Ltd. is an innovative Art studio located in Musanze- Rwanda. It aims at creating different Artworks through which can transform the lives of other people across different countries. we offer Workshops (painting, pottery and sculpture), arts classes and paint for fun See more..
5.0 Red Rocks Arts Center (4 reviews)
- An authentic, ethical and diverse offer
Art Galleries • Art Museums

Red Rocks Arts Center in Kinigi highlights Rwandan masterpieces of talented local artists of all ages. See more..
5.0 Red Rocks Rwanda Activities (4 reviews)
- Banana beer
Multi-day Tours

Nice experience toseeand get involved in the production of the highlyvalued banana beer. I like the banana juice more than the beer! See more..
5.0 Loyal Tours & Safaris (3 reviews)
- excellente
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Multi-day Tours • Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Climbing Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Horseback Riding Tours • Day Trips

We had a great experience with Soul of Tanzania. The teams are always ready to assist us, from the definition of the itinerary, hotels, to the management of unforeseen events (we had a canceled flight, we missed the first day of the safari, but we still managed to comply with the program thanks to the agency's flexibility). We traveled through Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro and ended in Zanzibar. The cars available, both the jeep for the safari and the transfers, super comfortable, lunches during the safari, great, hot, always accompanied by wine. It was awesome! Hans See more..
5.0 Team Africa Rising (2 reviews)
- fantastic experience out on mountain bike
Spent More than 3 hours Lessons & Workshops • Gear Rentals
Visit Rwanda and explore this great country on two wheels or go for a ride with a Pro cycling team! The Africa Rising Cycling Center offers tours of our training facility and rides with Team Rwanda! From rides as short as an hour to custom planned multi-day tours, we can arrange a number of exciting options - using state of the art full suspension mountain bikes or lightweight carbon road bikes. See more..
5.0 Sacola (2 reviews)
- Community walk tour was excellent!
Cultural Tours • Walking Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

Sacola is a NGO that is created by the RDB. Sacola takes care of the problems between community and wildlife and prevents poachers by helping them create new ways of income. They offer 3 tours and if you wish you can even customise them. We did the community tour and we really loved it. We saw the community and everything was explained very well. We only needed to book the tour one day in advance. We really like that this is a NGO and total profit flows back into the community by building schools and creating other ways of income. See more..
5.0 Rwanda Liberation Museum (1 review)
- Rwanda Liberation Museum
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM History Museums

Rwanda Liberation Museum known as Umulindi w’ Intwari in Gicumbi District showcases the liberation struggle of the country by Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF- Inkotanyi). Among many structures that facilitated the struggle is H.E President Paul Kagame’s former bunker whose nature draws one back to Rwanda’s history with a special overview of the Liberation struggle’s significance. Note that this museum is currently operating as an open air museum. See more..
5.0 Mission Africa Safaris (101 reviews)
- ONCE A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

The tour arranged the Entebbe to Bwindi flight. We stayed at a very nice lodge. Payment was pretty simple, itinerary was well arranged by the company which was customized with our time in Uganda. We met one of our drivers guide on the first day. He came to the hotel to brief us about the program in Entebbe. He also picked us back the next day to the airport. The drivers were all sweet, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. We couldn't have chosen a better company than go Gorilla Trekking. They deliver great value for money and are very attentive. The company made us feel comfortable. This part of Uganda is quite safe (it's a safer part of the continent) but it was reassuring knowing that we were in good hands. They were all amazing. We were assigned to a gorilla family, normally about 8 members in our group, but we did with our group of 6. We rented some jackets. We were continuous being told that .. " the weather changes in the mountains" Pls wear fully covered cloths, shoes, dark colors. We left for the trekking after the briefing for our route by car. We hired 5 porters. We trekked around 5 km in total. It's an amazing experience The porters were excellent. Super supportive. I HIGHLY recommend this tour and this activity. See more..
5.0 Lava Bike Tours (68 reviews)
- Amazing trip with a great guide!
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 AM Cultural Tours • Bike Tours

"Lava Bike Tours" provides really unique bike ride experiences across Rwanda and its beautiful landscape. The communication with Yannick was easy and professional. He is super friendly, reliable, always open to help and open for a chat. The pick-up service in the morning with the van was highly appreciated. Highlight: The landscape around the Twin Lakes. I highly recommend the bike tours with Yannick- it's simply amazing. We hope to come back again and have another ride. All the best See more..
5.0 Beyond the Gorillas Experience (45 reviews)
- An Unforgettable Experience - thank you!
City Tours • Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Boat Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Private Tours • Factory Tours • Safaris • Bike Tours • Climbing Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Day Trips

What an incredible three days! Thank you Beyond the Gorillas for an amazing trip. The pick up at my hotel in Kigali, the many stops for pictures along the way, the market visit, the boat ride, and especially the school visit. Those five year olds - what a greeting! It was all so awesome and culturally rich. I really appreciated the way you incorporated the entire local community into the experience. And you really should be commended for your social enterprise model, that of helping the communities through training and support! LOL … when I come back in better shape, I want to do the Mount Mbwe hike, Twin Lakes boat tour and definitely the lunch on Michael Island again! Thanks again for an unforgettable experience! Steve Hays Founder/President Connect Rwanda See more..
5.0 Umuzabibu Mwiza - Home to Handspun Hope (36 reviews)
- Making a bigger connection!
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

As you visit Umuzabibu Mwiza, as seen on CNN African Marketplace in March 2019, witness firsthand this remarkable project and meet the women as they participate in the age old craft of spinning yarn from the fleeces of their own flock of Merino sheep. Using only hand tools and spinning wheels, discover how the women create organic yarn and dye it naturally with native plant materials such as cosmos petals, onionskins and eucalyptus leaves. After your tour, you will have an opportunity to purchase Handspun Hope yarn and hand knit products. We are certain you will find the perfect Handspun Hope keepsake to take home from your trip to Rwanda! See more..
5.0 Umubano Tours - Day Tours (24 reviews)
- Great experience
Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

I contacted Umubano tours some two weeks before my trip to Rwanda to see if they can arrange a 1 day trip for me to the Akagera national park. They were very responsive, I usually received a feedback to my emails within 24 hours. They sent me the exact schedule of the trip and all the needful details. As per their commitment the drive was there waiting for me in front of the indicated hotel at 5.30AM. The guide in the park was great, and staff spoke good English (my French knowledge is limited so I cannot comment on that one). All in all, everything went well beyond my expectations, from the point of establishing contact with the company via email to the end of my trip. I wish I could do the gorillas trip with them as well, but my travel schedule didn't allow that. Hopefully next time. I cannot but recommend Umubano tours. See more..
5.0 Red Rocks Rwanda (16 reviews)
- Isabelle (France)
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

We spent an interesting afternoon in Red Rocks, learning about traditional medicine using local plants. The guide had a very high level of knowledge about botanic. This local active community is very frindly and also proposes other interesting activitivies, including beehives, banana beer making, baskets making... I highly rtecommend to visit the center, as it is way to support local community and have a great time!!! See more..
5.0 Slow Hike Africa (13 reviews)
- Reliable, knowledgeable and a lot of fun.
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Safaris • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Boat Tours • Beer Tastings & Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

We hiked the vulcano Bisoke, Ferdinand organized wonderful hikes around Twin Lakes, we hiked in Nyungwe... Ferdinand listens very well to what his guests wants and is such an interesting story teller ánd inquisitive person. When we were in trouble and did not know who to call, he jumped in to help even though he wasn't guiding us that day. Highly recommended!!! See more..