If you’re planning to visit Rwanda-Burundi and the East Africa region, navigating the closed land borders between Burundi and Rwanda can be a challenge. Relations among certain nations within the East African Community (EAC), which includes Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, the DRC, and Somalia, have been strained for years. However, since January 2024, Burundi has closed its borders with Rwanda, accusing Rwanda of backing the DRC-based armed group Red Tabara. This closure has complicated tourist mobility between the two countries. However, alternative routes and modes of transportation can still make your East African adventure possible. Here’s how:
Air Travel
The EAC is well-connected by international airports in major cities like Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kigali. You can fly into one of these cities and then travel overland to other destinations within the region. For instance, on our Burundi, Uganda-Rwanda tour, guests land at Bujumbura International Airport and spend 2-4 days exploring Burundi, including:
- Bujumbura city tour
- Gitega National Museum
- Gishora Royal Drums sanctuary
- Karera waterfalls
- Rusizi National Park
- Livingstone-Stanley Monument
After visiting Burundi, guests fly to Entebbe International Airport for activities in Uganda. Airlines like Uganda Airlines, Rwandair, and Kenya Airways offer flights from Bujumbura to Entebbe. In Uganda, guests can enjoy a Kampala city tour, visit Jinja, and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari. Travelers can do gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, entering Rwanda through the Cyanika border and flying back home from Kigali International Airport. Activities in Rwanda include gorilla trekking, cultural and agricultural tours, and a Kigali city tour.
For those who prefer not to visit Uganda, there are itineraries flying from Bujumbura to Kigali, with options to visit Rwanda or go to the DRC for a Lowland gorilla trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Alternative Land Routes
While the Burundi-Rwanda border is closed, travelers can enter Rwanda through other land routes, such as crossing from Uganda via the Gatuna/Katuna or Cyanika borders. From there, travelers can continue their journey into Rwanda or enter the DRC.
Adventurous travelers or those on a budget can visit Kahuzi-Biega from Burundi by crossing the Kanvivira border into the DRC. Due to poor road conditions and unforeseen security challenges, this route requires returning to Rwanda at Kamanyola to avoid the Ngomo escarpments. From Kamanyola, drive to the Rusizi 1 border to re-enter the DRC. Remember that the DRC-Rwanda borders close at 3:00 PM.
Visa Requirements
Navigating visa requirements can be complex, but using a tour operator can simplify the process. If you don’t have a multi-entry visa for the DRC, get it from the DRC Embassy in your country or residence country. Alternatively, a tour operator can arrange a 14-day single-entry tourist visa. This visa allows visitors to explore Kahuzi-Biega and other places in the DRC within the 14-day limit. Tour operators have arrangements with DRC border authorities to keep the single-entry visa valid, even when detouring through Rwanda.
Upon entry at the Kanvivira border, obtain your visa stamp. At the Kamanyola border, pay for the entry visa to Rwanda, but your DRC visa remains valid. Re-enter the DRC at the Rusizi1 border with the same visa. Once in Bukavu or Goma, it’s possible to extend your visa for one or three months at the General Directorate of Migration office.
For more information on visiting East Africa, contact Ubuntu Voyages. We’ll design a customizable itinerary, handle your bookings (permits, accommodation, transportation), visa inquiries, and ensure a stress-free travel experience to the East Africa region.
Plan your visit Rwanda-Burundi adventure with ease and explore the beauty and diversity of East Africa!
