Town · Western Rwanda, on Lake Kivu
Rubavu (Gisenyi)
A lakeside resort town on Lake Kivu, and the border crossing into Goma, DR Congo.
How to get there
By road from Kigali, roughly three hours west, or from Musanze via the scenic Congo-Nile Trail route.
What to find
Lake Kivu's beaches and boat trips, and onward access to Virunga National Park across the DRC border.
Overview
Rubavu, formerly known as Gisenyi, is a lakeside town on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, one of Africa's Great Lakes. It has sandy beaches, palm-lined streets and a relaxed resort atmosphere.
It's the start of the Congo-Nile Trail, a long hiking and cycling route south along the lake through hills, coffee farms and fishing villages. It's also on the border with Goma in DR Congo.
Highlights
- Beaches and boat trips on Lake Kivu
- The Congo-Nile Trail for hiking or biking
- Coffee farm and washing-station visits
- Local fishermen singing as they head out at dusk
Things to do
Lake activities
Kayaking, boat trips and island visits.
Congo-Nile Trail
From a single day to several days on foot or bike.
Coffee tours
Farm-to-cup experiences.
Best time to visit
All year. The dry season is best for hiking and cycling.
Getting there
About 3 hours by road west of Kigali, or 1.5 hours from Musanze.
Where to stay
Lakeside hotels and guesthouses.
Rubavu & Lake Kivu
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Rwanda →
Good to know
- An ideal place to relax after gorilla trekking.
- Crossing into Goma depends on the security situation in eastern DR Congo. Please ask us.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
From Rubavu (Gisenyi)
Places to visit from Rubavu (Gisenyi)
Drive times are approximate. Look up another city.