Red Rocks Rwanda in Musanze, northern Rwanda, isn’t your typical gorilla trekking base camp. Yes, Volcanoes National Park is right on the doorstep, but what makes this place special is that Red Rocks is run as a social enterprise by a team who believe tourism should leave money where it’s spent. Accommodation spans several options, all unfussy and fairly priced. The Gakondo Cottages are the pick, heritage buildings designed by local artisans in traditional Rwandan style, each with a double bed and ensuite. Guided treks into the Virunga Massif, home to mountain gorillas, are the obvious draw, but you could easily fill several days without leaving the site. There’s banana beer making, cooking lessons, basket weaving, heritage walks, agricultural tours, and painting classes. Plus volleyball, table tennis, bike rentals, and a fire pit chill-out area with hammocks.
The campsite’s restaurant serves a variety of dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from nearby farms and markets. Some of the dishes include ibiharage, a bean stew with onions, tomatoes, and spices, and umutsima, a cassava porridge that is gluten-free and served with different stews and sauces. The restaurant also offers beer, wine, and margaritas. Visitors can also learn how to cook Rwandan dishes in the traditional way, using open fires and clay pots, under the guidance of local chefs, and the infamous banana beer, which is as delicious as it is potent!
