Tourist Attractions in Gisenyi Town in Rwanda
Tourist Attractions in Gisenyi Town in Rwanda: ‘Gisenyi,’ formerly spelled Gisenyi, is a city in Rwanda’s Western Province’s Rubavu region. Gisenyi has a border with Goma (La Petite Barrière), a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gisenyi town in Rwanda is a major tourist hub for visitors on a Rwanda Safari.
On the banks of Lake Kivu, the city has a resort with multiple hotels and three sandy beaches. Water activities are also popular in the region. The lake is shared between the DRC and Rwanda, and it is notable for limnic eruptions, in which the surface emits carbon dioxide as a result of lava that poured through Goma town to the lake during Mt. Nyiragongo’s 1977, 2002 and 2021 eruptions. It is Rwanda’s largest lake and a popular destination for water sports in the country.
If you’re planning a wildlife safari to Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, consider spending some time in this town to unwind after a day of adventure in the game parks. Enjoy the seaside air, breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes, delectable food, and the best lodging services. Learn more about Gisenyi Rwanda, Gisenyi Beach, and Gisenyi Hotels to mention but a few.
Top Tourist Attractions and Activities in Gisenyi Town in Rwanda
View Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Gisenyi town in Rwanda is located approximately 69 kilometres from Volcanoes National Park. The 1½ hour drive to the park makes Gisenyi a perfect pit stop for tourists looking to do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park.
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park.
Given that Gisenyi town is situated at Rwanda’s border with Congo, this makes it a convenient transit point for tourists looking to do gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park in Congo. Gorilla trekking permits in Congo cost 400$ which makes gorilla trekking safaris in Congo quite affordable especially for tourists on a fixed travel budget.
Visit the Imbabazi Orphanage
You can visit the Imbabazi Orphanage while touring Lake Kivu from Gisenyi town. Rosamund Hasley Carr, an American humanitarian who returned to Rwanda after the genocide conflict, built the orphanage.
Hot Springs
There are several hot springs in the Gisenyi region. A visit to any of these hot springs provides insight into what the locals believe about these hot springs. The magnificent hot springs include Nyamyumba hot springs, located along a beach on the route from Rubavu town to Kigufi, Gisenyi hot spring, and Kigarama hot spring.
More things to do in Gisenyi include riding to the coffee estates for a coffee experience, sea kayaking, resting at the beach (hotels like Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offer private beaches), and shopping in the markets for fresh fruits and other products.
Accommodation Facilities in Gisenyi Town.
Accommodation in town is plentiful, depending on one’s likes and preferences. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Kunda Gisenyi Guesthouse, Ubumwe Hotel, Stipp Hotel, and Motel la Corniche are among of the places to stay.
How to Get to Gisenyi Town in Rwanda.
By road, you may reach Gisenyi town from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. It takes around 3-3.5 hours to get to town by public transportation (bus). It might take up to 4 hours depending on the number of stops made along the route. Belvedere, Virunga Express, and Ritco Limited are some of the bus companies that operate there.
If you book your trip with Explore Rwanda Tours, your driver guide will meet you at Kigali International Airport and transport you to Gisenyi town and your accommodation. It will take less than three hours to get to town. Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel, Palm Beach Resort, Serena Hotel, and Asante Hotel are among the best places to stay in Gisenyi.
Gisenyi town in Rwanda makes it quite convenient for tourists to return to the DRC for additional breathtaking activities such as gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, chimpanzee trekking and habituation, and the wonderful trip up Nyiragongo volcano in Virunga National Park. We travel to Goma town across the Grande barrier border as long as you have a valid passport, visa, and yellow fever card. Goma is around 8 kilometers from Gisenyi town in Rwanda. It is larger than Gisenyi and a fantastic place to see the remnants of the 2021 Mount Nyiragongo Volcano eruption.
