Burera district lies in the northern part of Rwanda, adjacent to the Ugandan border, and between the cities of Ruhengeri and Byumba. It is home to Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, and the Virunga Lodge hotel, which lies between them, commanding views of the lakes and the nearby Virunga mountains, making it one of Rwanda’s tourist spots.
Among the tourist attractions in the district includes ‘semaka’ rock which lies in gisovu cell in cyanika sector. The rock originated from volcanic eruptions that occurred in the past from muhabura dormant volcano.
The rock has a very long cave and is covered by beautiful vegetation. People neighboring the rock said that the history of this rock is not well known but its name is attributed to an old man who lived in the caves of the rock whose name was semaka.
This rock is located 1 kilometer from Musanze-Cyanika road and about 3 kms from Burera Lake.One of the residents Nshimiyimanareiterated that into the cave is a long vent line that connects the cave to lake burera .
He said; “I once passed there with my friends and we came out near the lake, but it is advisable to pass there while with someone who knows the place better because one can die in there if you pass in the wrong route due to many caves down there one can even get lost.”
Because of its location, tourists have visited the rock several times. Among other tourist attractions in this district includes the tomb of RukararwaBishingwe former Rwandan King historically known to be the first black man who killed a white colonialist, Burera Lake, Muhabura volcano,Urugezi swamp to mention.
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