Rwanda's Quiet Southern Lakeside Town
Let the calm of the lake slow you down, and the smiles of the locals make you feel at home. In Rusizi, every moment feels personal whether you're drifting to quiet islands, wandering green trails, or just soaking up the views. Peek Rwanda’s here to make sure it all flows effortlessly, so you can simply enjoy the magic.
Unveil the Hidden Splendor of Rusizi
Rusizi sits at the southern tip of Lake Kivu where the water narrows to almost nothing before draining south into the Ruzizi River and then down into Lake Tanganyika. The town, known until recently as Cyangugu, has a different pace from Rubavu at the northern end of the lake. Less developed for international tourism, more deeply local in its rhythms, and positioned on a narrow peninsula between the lake and the river with the DRC hills visible from almost every street. It is the kind of place where you take a plastic chair outside a local restaurant at noon, order fish that was in the lake that morning, and stay until the afternoon light starts to go.
What to Do in and Around Rusizi
Base for Nyungwe Forest National Park
Rusizi is the best-placed overnight base for travellers visiting Nyungwe Forest from the south. The drive from Rusizi to Nyungwe's Uwinka Visitor Centre takes just over an hour on well-surfaced road, climbing through dramatically beautiful tea-growing highlands. Staying in Rusizi allows for an early morning departure for chimpanzee trekking or the canopy walkway without the longer drive from Kigali. Rusizi also serves as a useful overnight stop for travellers doing a full southern and western Rwanda circuit.
Lake Kivu Southern Shore by Boat
The southern end of Lake Kivu, accessible by boat from Rusizi, is the quietest and most pristine section of the lake. Small fishing communities, forested hillsides that drop directly to the water, and almost no tourist infrastructure make for a boat trip that feels genuinely exploratory. Local boatmen can be hired from the Rusizi waterfront for half-day or full-day lake excursions. The birding along the southern shore is particularly good, with shoebill sightings reported occasionally in the papyrus margins.
Kamembe Airport
Rusizi is served by Kamembe Airport, which has connections to Kigali on RwandAir. Flying into Kamembe and starting a Nyungwe and Lake Kivu circuit from the south, rather than driving from Kigali, is an efficient option for travellers on tighter schedules. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes and provides spectacular aerial views of Lake Kivu on approach.
The Town Itself
Rusizi's compact town centre, positioned on the narrow peninsula with lake water on one side and the Ruzizi River on the other, is interesting to walk and very easy to navigate. The main market, the fish stalls along the waterfront, the moto-taxi stands, and the cluster of local restaurants serving fresh tilapia are the everyday fabric of a Rwandan border town that has not yet been smoothed over by tourist development.
Why Rusizi Should Be on Your Travel List
Looking for a place that feels both peaceful and full of wonder? Rusizi has you covered. With sweeping views of Lake Kivu, easy access to the lush trails of Nyungwe Forest, and the soothing warmth of Bugarama’s hot springs, it’s where adventure meets calm. Explore hidden islands, savor fresh lake fish, and connect with the rhythms of local life Rusizi offers a getaway that stays with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rusizi is approximately 5 to 5.5 hours from Kigali by road via the southern highway. Public buses run from Nyabugogo terminal in Kigali toward Rusizi/Cyangugu. Private transfers can be arranged from Kigali or from Huye/Butare. Alternatively, fly into Kamembe Airport near Rusizi on RwandAir (approximately 45 minutes from Kigali).
Yes, if you are combining Nyungwe with Lake Kivu on a southern circuit. Rusizi is just over an hour from Nyungwe's southern entrance, making it much more practical for early morning chimp trekking than Kigali (5 hours away). For travellers doing only Nyungwe, there is also accommodation near the park itself.
The border crossing to Bukavu (DRC) is used by traders and some international travellers, but we strongly advise checking your government's current travel advisory before crossing into eastern DRC. The Rwandan side of the border is safe. The DRC situation is subject to change and requires current, specific advice.
