Border Crossing Between Rwanda and Congo Now
Knowing the essentials for border crossing between Rwanda and Congo is crucial for anyone planning a safari. This is helpful to anyone planning a gorilla safari, wildlife tour, or business trip. The border crossing between Rwanda and Congo has often had challenges in the past. The Gisenyi-Goma and Cyangugu-Bukavu border crossings between Rwanda and Congo are open. However, Congo’s Parks remain temporarily closed due to regional instability. Here are the various border crossings that serve both Rwanda and Congo.
The Gisenyi-Goma border post
The Goma crossing, also known as Gisenyi-Goma, serves as a tourist route to both Congo and Rwanda. Through Goma, visitors can easily access Congo’s top Eastern destinations, including Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are leading spots for gorilla trekking and primate encounters.
Virunga National Park is one of Congo’s biggest parks. It is also home to a portion of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. The Virunga National Park currently holds several gorilla families. Some of these include: Bageni group, Kabirizi family, Lulengo, Munyaga, Humba gorilla group, Mapuwa, Rugendo, and Nyakamwe group. Note, whether you are interested in Eastern lowland gorillas or mountain gorillas, the gorilla permits all cost USD 400 per person.
Beyond gorillas, you can find a variety of other wildlife in Virunga National Park, Congo. Other mammal species to explore on a Congo safari in the Virunga NP include okapis, lions, buffaloes, chimpanzees, hippos, warthogs, giant forest hogs, topis, aardvarks, waterbucks, and more.
The birds in the Virunga National Park total up to 700 and include the white-fronted bee-eaters, Grauer’s swamp warblers, yellow-billed barbets, Rwenzori turacos, tawny-flanked prinia, red-throated bee-eaters, African olive pigeons, cisticolas, grey herons, white-headed woodpecker, to mention but a few.
Visiting Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a fantastic opportunity to explore the Eastern Lowlands. The Kahuzi-Biega Park is primarily dominated by lush tropical forest and is home to 2 extinct volcanoes (Mt. Kahuzi and Mt. Biega). This park is set in Bukavu and on the western bank of Lake Kivu. It is a favourite destination for exploring the Eastern Lowlands. This 6000 sq. km Protected Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a diverse and large concentration of Eastern Lowland gorillas and other species.
Explore the lowland gorillas of Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega is done with already habituated families, including Mpungwe, Chimanuka, Nganwa, Mugahuka, and Bonnani. Each of these lowland gorilla groups is tracked by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests per day. Other wildlife to locate in Kahuzi-Biega National Park include bush buffaloes, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs, Colobus monkeys, and bush babies. Kahuzi-Biega also inhabits the Alexander’s bush squirrels, genets, bongos, and many other antelope families.
Many bird species
The birds of Kahuzi-Biega National Park include Shelley’s crimsonwing, Rwenzori turacos, African green broadbills, Congo peafowl, yellow-crested helmet-shrikes, Rockefeller’s sunbird, African paradise-flycatchers, red-eyed doves, trogons, long-crested eagles, African bill babblers, brown chested alethe, and many others.
Volcano hiking
Besides the lowland and mountain gorilla treks, crossing to the Congo side also offers visitors a chance to experience the best of the volcano hikes, especially on Mount Nyiragongo. Visitors planning to explore any of the Congo parks require a tourist visa, which can be obtained by applying through the Congo Embassy website. If you are not sure about the process, get in touch with our team for guidance.
Access to the Goma border is possible in a 4×4 safari vehicle, and you can set off from Kigali to Gisenyi. Gisenyi is located near the Goma border, which is why it is the most used route for visitors and safari companies.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can also be enjoyed before or after you cross into Volcanoes National Park. Visitors who need to track the Rwanda gorillas can secure permits for USD 1500 per person.
The Cyangugu-Bukavu border
The Cyangugu-Bukavu border offers access to the Southwestern part of Rwanda. Specifically to visitors with plans to be in Cyangugu, and is also close to Kamembe. It connects to Bukavu town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
What awaits you at the Cyangugu border crossing includes Lake Kivu boat tours, visits to Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the colonial architectural sites of Bukavu, and exploration of Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu.
What else to explore in Rwanda and Congo?
In Rwanda, border crossings like Cyangugu offer an excellent opportunity to visit Nyungwe Forest National Park, located at the southwestern end of Rwanda. Nyungwe is a special place to explore chimpanzees and other primates. These include: colobus, l’hoest, and baboons. The park also supports other species. They include bush pigs, elephants, golden cats, Congo clawless otters, Klipspringers, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, impalas, bushbucks, western tree hyrax, caracals, giant forest hogs, and mongooses.
Nyungwe National Park
The birds to see on Nyungwe birding safaris include Chapin’s flycatchers, handsome francolins, Rwenzori apalis, barred long-tailed cuckoos, yellow-eyed black flycatchers, regal sunbirds, stripe-breasted tits, Albertine owlets, Kungwe Apalis, Dusky crimsonwing, and many others. Nyungwe is best known for chimpanzee trekking, colobus monkeys, forest hikes, canopy walks, and birding tours.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park lies in Rwanda’s far eastern province and can be explored by nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy guided game-viewing experiences, an excellent opportunity to explore the Big Five and diverse bird species. While in Akagera, expect to see animals such as hyenas, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants, cape elands, zebras, giraffes, lions, and many bird species.
The birds of Akagera National Park include red-faced barbets, shoebill storks, swamp flycatchers, long-toed lapwing, cattle egrets, white-browned coucals, grey-crowned cranes, black-headed gonoleks, little bee-eaters, and pink-backed pelicans. Eastern grey plantain eaters, Northern brown throated weavers, red-billed fire finch, American bald eagle, and ring-necked francolins.
Safety Insights
Although the main border crossings between Rwanda and Congo are currently relatively safe and open, it is essential to remain cautious. Before you consider travelling across any border, ensure the safety status is clear. Get in touch with the safari experts on the ground. Talk to Native Africa Tours for any current updates to ensure a successful border crossing and vacation.
Follow the updates from your home country embassy. Besides, travel with trained escorts and ensure that officers are in charge at checkpoints. Try as much as you can not to travel late at night. Whether from Congo to Rwanda or Rwanda to Congo. Solo travel in Congo isn’t guaranteed; ensure that you embark on a holiday with a professional expert. Always try to be more flexible and prioritise safety first.
Border essentials to help you clear with the authorities
Ensure you have the required documentation to cross the border successfully. Valid travel documents to have when planning a border crossing include valid Congo Visas, Valid passports, yellow fever cards, and an invitation letter (proof of accommodation) for those travelling for tourism purposes.
The Rwanda-Congo border crossing provides a unique gateway to natural experiences in both countries. Always confirm safety and plan with trusted travel experts for a successful trip.
