Gisenyi
Rwanda
- Population
- 83,623
- Currency
- RWFFr1,478/$
Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district, is the third largest city of Rwanda.
Guide content adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gisenyi". Source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weather
Live19°C
Overcast · feels like 19°C
- 84%
- 10 km/h
- AQI 34
- MonLight drizzle18° / 26°
- TueModerate drizzle18° / 23°
- WedDense drizzle19° / 23°
- ThuModerate rain showers18° / 23°
- FriSlight rain showers19° / 24°
Measured at -1.703, 29.256 · Africa/Kigali
Understand
Gisenyi is a town on the north shore of Lake Kivu on the border with DR Congo (Goma). Gisenyi is coterminous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Getting there
Buses run two times an hour between Kigali and 3 hours. and at least once a day between Kibuye and Gisenyi.it is said to have about 546,683 inhabitants(2022).It is famous for hosting the Lake Kivu
Kampala Coach has a bus to Kampala Uganda. 14 hours.
There is a ferry going from Gisenyi to Cyangugu via Kibuye every Wednesday and Sunday at 7am. The one way fare from Gisenyi to Kibuye is Rwf 2,500. and to Cyangugu Rwf 6,000. The ferry has been working since March 2014.
Getting around
Gisenyi is a small town and can easily be gotten around on foot, alternatively there are hundreds of Motorbike Taxis around.
What to see
- Bralirwa brewery.
- Pfunda Tea Factory (5 km from Gisenyi). 8AM–5PM.
- Lake Kivu and the Public beach..
What to do
Situated on the north of Lake Kivu, it also offers many opportunities for water sports or for excursions on the lake.
Gisenyi town features a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, with best hotels and biggest sandy beaches. The area is also known for water sports. The northern shore of the lake on which Goma and Gisenyi lie is a flat plain featuring lava formations from the eruptions of nearby Nyiragongo Volcano.
- Wildlife Tours, Gorilla Trekking, Historical & Cultural, Village visits,
Volunteer, Walking & Trekking, Kayaking & Boat trip, Community based Tours, Sightseeing Tours.
Where to eat
- 1 Wazi Wine Garage, ☏ . 8AM -10PM. Wazi Wine Garage offer the following:Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, Delivery, Takeaway, you can also Dine-in.
- 2 Romantic Restaurant, ☏ . 8 am–11 pm. services which are available in Romantic Restaurant are Delivery,Takeaway,Dine-in,.
- 3 Iturize Restaurant, ☏ . 6 am–10 pm. Other Services optional in Iturize Restaurant are: Kerbside pickup,No-contact delivery,Delivery,Takeaway,Dine-in.
- 4 New Tam-Tam Bikini, ☏ . 9 am–9 pm.
- 5 Tip Top. Open 24 hours. Other provided services in Tip Top Restaurent are : Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in.
- El classico beach chez west.☏
Drinking & nightlife
Shopping
- Bank of Kigali. has a Master card and Visa card ATM.
- EcoBank. has a Master card and Visa card ATM.
Where to stay
- Centre d’Accueil de l’Église Presbytérienne, Ave du Marché, ☏ , eprcagisenyi@yahoo.fr. This is one of the cheapest places in town for travelers to stay. This church-run place is quiet and clean. Local restaurant open workdays serves breakfast (2500 RWF) as well as buffet dinner (2500 RWF). Dorm bed Fwf 3,000 Room from 5,000.
- City Lodge, Rue de Ruhengeric, ☏ . room with shared bathroom Rfr 8,000.
- Auberde de Gisenyi, Ave de Ummuganda (close to the market), ☏ . single/double rooms with own bathroom. Rfr 7,000/8,000.
- Africano Guest House (near the Mosque). double room with own bathroom Rwf 8,000.
- Methodist Church Centre d Accueil (north of town centre. near the bus station.), ☏ . dorm beds. single/double rooms. shared hot water bathrooms. Rfr 2,000/5,000/8,000.
Staying connected
All guide text on this page is adapted from Wikivoyage and reused under CC BY-SA 4.0. Prices and opening hours change — verify anything that matters before you rely on it.