Bukavu Border Crossing

The Ruzizi River separates Cyangugu from the Congolese city of Bukavu, and the border crossing is one of the more atmospheric in the region. Standing at the river, you can look across to Bukavu's hills — a city visibly larger and more densely built than its Rwandan neighbour. The crossing is busy with trade and local movement, and watching the flow of goods and people is interesting in itself.

Crossing requires a visa for the DRC, which should be arranged before arrival. The security situation in eastern DRC can change; check current conditions carefully before crossing. Those who do cross find Bukavu a worthwhile destination in its own right, with good markets and a colonial-era waterfront.

things to do sight
A story
The Ruzizi River that separates Cyangugu from Bukavu forms part of the boundary between two of Africa's most storied colonial territories — Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi. Divided by the river for nearly a century, the two cities grew up facing each other and remain closely connected by trade and family ties despite the international boundary.