You must be ready to cross borders at some time if you intend to go on safari in more than one African nation. This can be a stressful affair, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the various nations’ immigration laws.  Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are still in the process of developing.

The technology and existing structures make it impossible to handle border crossings efficiently. In Congo, border crossings are made more difficult and time-consuming by insecurity and even the fear of Ebola. This is not to imply that it is not pleasant to cross the borders in these nations. Simply put, the methods and procedures may be the most effective on a certain day.

Congo Rwanda Border crossing [Border opening times at Goma]

The Goma border post

Tourists traveling to Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Park to summit Mount Nyiragongo or go gorilla trekking use the Goma border crossing. Additionally, this border station serves as a vital commerce route between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Goma border station is located in the towns of Gisenyi and Goma in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Travelers who intend to visit Congo’s game parks must arrange to obtain a Congo VISA beforehand and provide their tour operator with information about their itinerary. Travelers find it more difficult to obtain a Congolese visa than those for Rwanda or Uganda.

A Naleyo Tours and Travels trip operator can assist in handling the Congo VISA in order for things to be completed first. The tourist must submit their passport information and trip dates in order for the VISA to be processed.

The tour operator can then work with the park and Congolese authorities to expedite the processing of the documents. It is crucial to remember that travelers must present their yellow fever vaccination card in addition to their VISA.

Crossing the border is simple after all the paperwork is in order and your VISA has been approved. Keep your yellow immunization certificate with you at all times. If you do not have the card, the border officials will not let you cross.

There aren’t many locations outside of Africa where you can get the shots. You In order to schedule an appointment in advance, you must first identify one. You will not be permitted to cross the Congo-Rwanda border without these documents.

You can process the VISA online yourself or have your tour operator do it for you if you intend to board a chartered flight from Kigali, Rwanda, or Kampala, Uganda. You might be asked for additional papers, such as your airline schedules, hotel reservations, and safari-related arrangements, if you want to apply for the Congo VISA on your own.

The Congo VISA can be obtained by downloading the application forms from the website of the Congo Embassy. You can email the relevant Congolese Embassy if you have trouble finding the forms. The cost of a Congo VISA is $105.

Reaching the border crossing at Goma

You must take a taxi or public bus from Kigali to Gisenyi if you are already in Rwanda. The town closest to the Congo Border post is Gisenyi. The majority of tourists are picked up by their tour operator at the airport or at a hotel in Kigali.

Note:

At 10:00 p.m., the Goma border post shuts.

The boundary of Cyangugu

Another point of entry into Rwanda is located in the southwest region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to the Goma border crossing. The Cyangugu The southern portion of Lake Kivu is the border. The administrative center of the Rusizi district is Cyangugu.

Tourists who have come to unwind on the stunning shores of Lake Kivu before continuing on to other activities in Congo use the Cyangugu border crossing, which is less crowded than the Goma border station. A bridge across the River Rusizi must be crossed in order to cross this boundary.

Rwandan border crossings with Uganda

Many travelers arrange to arrive in Kigali and then travel by car to the Uganda-Rwanda border. One still requires all the necessary paperwork even though it is far simpler to cross the Uganda-Rwanda border than it is to cross the Congo.

A yellow fever vaccination card, passport, and visa will be requested foreign visitors. The Cyanika border in the southern part of Bwindi (Kisoro District) and the Katuna border in the northern part of Bwindi (Kabale district) are the two main border checkpoints between Rwanda and Uganda.

Cyanika border post [hours of the Cyanika border]

The Cyanika border crossing receives more tourists and individual travelers than the Gatuna border station, although being less crowded. This is because it links two of Africa’s most important tourist destinations.

This border crossing is situated in the Rwandan district of Burera and the Ugandan district of Kisoro. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in Kisoro. The Cyanika border checkpoint is the most dependable for those who have reservations for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.

It’s nearer to Bwindi National Park’s Rushaga area, which receives the most visitors. Additionally, Mgahinga National Park, a Cyanika border post known for its three stunning volcanoes, mountain gorillas, and golden monkey trekking, is not far from Kisoro. Like Kisoro, Burera town in Rwanda is a popular tourist destination. It boasts two stunning twin lakes, Lake Burera and Ruhondo.

The village is near the Volcanoes National Park, which is well-known for its hiking mountains like Karisimbi, the Musanze caves, and gorilla trekking. If you have the necessary paperwork, crossing this border is not too difficult. If you are a tourist, you should have an East African tourist visa. If not, you might be required to obtain a Rwandan or Ugandan VISA.

Everything appears so clear-cut and easy with the East African VISA. You can be requested for your address or the contact details of the person you are visiting in Uganda in addition to the visa or Rwanda.

You will receive a stamp on your passport and cross the border once all paperwork and information has been confirmed. Stricter regulations apply on the Rwandan side of the border, where you may be asked to turn in your bags for inspection.

The Cyanika border opens at 6:00 am Uganda time and 5:00 am Rwanda time, so please take note of this. Thus, unlike the Katuna border, Cyanika is not open twenty-four hours a day.

Crossing borders for gorilla trekking at the Gatuna or Katuna Border Post Travelers and commodities crossing from Uganda to Rwanda and vice versa enter through the border post, which is known as Gatuna in Rwanda and Katuna in Uganda. The majority of the products going to Rwanda come from Kenya crosses the border with Gatuna.

Compared to the Cyanika border crossing, it has more business and tourist traffic. The border station on the Ugandan side is located in Kabale, which is a district in the country’s southwest. The Gichumbi district is where the border is located on the Rwandan side.

The Katuna border post is dominated by commercial vehicles. The border station between Rwanda and Uganda is the busiest. This border is open around-the-clock. Despite being built for business, it is located in Kabale, one of Uganda’s major tourist destinations. With the exception of a National Identity Card, people of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Gatuna Border do not require a VISA in order to enter this border station.

Foreign visitors can obtain a VISA from the Use the new East African Tourist Visa or post at the border. In addition to the passport and VISA, immigration officials will need your address, phone number, and reason for travel.

Your passport will be stamped to enable you to continue traveling if everything is in order. The borders are crossed on foot. There are several money exchange agents on both sides of the border, and you might need to exchange your money there.

Bwindi to Kigali Drive:

The distance between the two cities many tourists have been compelled to choose Uganda as their destination for Tracking Mountain gorillas due to the recent hike in gorilla permit prices. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1500, whereas in Uganda, it just $600.

The Gorilla There are two national parks in Uganda where trekking is possible: Bwindi and Mgahinga. There are more mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park than in any other nation on the planet. Regretfully, it’s a long way from Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda.

The trip from Entebbe to Bwindi Forest takes nine to ten hours. It takes tourists no more than three hours to go from Kigali to Bwindi. It’s crucial to remember that tourists choose Uganda over Rwanda for reasons other than just the shorter drive. Compared to Rwanda, Uganda offers more distinctive experiences and activities.

There are more than 13 reserves and 10 national parks in Uganda Game drives, trekking volcanoes, the Batwa cultural experience, and gorilla habitat are a few of Uganda’s distinctive tourism attractions tracking chimpanzees, golden monkeys, river rafting, and launch cruises. There are more hotels and resorts in Uganda overall.