Rusizi
Rwanda · Western Province · 1600 m
Description
Rusizi sits at the far southwestern corner of Rwanda where Lake Kivu drains into the river of the same name, and it works as two places at once. Kamembe is the commercial town on the ridge with the country's only domestic airport, and Cyangugu is the older quarter down at the water beside the bridges to Bukavu in Congo. The lake here is quiet and the shore green with tea. For most travellers Rusizi is the near end of Nyungwe, since the Cyamudongo chimpanzees are closer to it than to anywhere else, and the flight from Kigali replaces a long drive.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Cyamudongo chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe(Day trip)
- Southern shore of Lake Kivu
- Gisakura tea plantations(Day trip)
- Bridges to Bukavu and the border viewpoint
- Kamembe town market
- Bugarama hot springs(Day trip)
- Coffee washing stations of Rusizi
- Southern end of the Congo Nile Trail(Multi-day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- KME
- Border town:
- Rwanda