The city is situated 5,945 feet (1,812 m) above sea level.

[3] Though officially part of the Southern Province, Muhanga is geographically located in central Rwanda, approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road southwest of Kigali, Rwanda's capital and largest city.

[4] This location lies approximately 85 kilometres (53 mi), north of Kibeho, in Nyaruguru District, the southernmost district in Southern Province.

Due to its geographical location, the city serves as the gateway to the west and south of the country.

During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Muhanga was the seat of the provisional government.