You can enter Rwanda either by road or by air, depending on your budget and distance. People from nearby East African countries usually travel by road because it is cheaper, although it may be slower due to traffic. Foreign visitors often choose air travel, especially those coming from faraway places like Europe, Asia, or Australia, as flying saves time.
Some flights may be long due to time zone differences or crossing the international date line, which can cause jet lag. However, this should not stop an adventurous traveler from exploring Rwanda.
If you are a foreign visitor, make sure you have all the required documents, including a visa, a valid passport, and a yellow fever vaccination card if you are coming from a country where yellow fever is a risk. It is also advised to take other vaccines for your health and safety.
Visitors from East African countries usually only need a valid passport or national ID, depending on their citizenship. Before you travel, make sure all your documents are ready.
Rwanda shares borders with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The border lengths are approximately 169 kilometers with Uganda, 217 kilometers with Tanzania, 217 kilometers with the DRC, and 290 kilometers with Burundi.
If you are traveling by road from Uganda, the main border post is Gatuna, located in Kabale District. This is a busy one-stop border point but often has heavy commercial traffic. Other land borders from Uganda include Buziba and Rwempasha in Nyagatare District, known for their green landscapes and cool climate. These provide good alternative entry points for tourists.
Cyanika is another popular border point. It is located in Kisoro District on the Ugandan side and in Burera District on the Rwandan side. It is very busy because it is close to an airfield and is often used by tourists.
Kagitumba is found in the hills of Ntungamo District. There are plans to upgrade it into a one-stop border post to reduce congestion.
From Tanzania, Rusumo is the main road entry point into Rwanda. For travelers coming from Burundi, common border posts include Ruhwa, Bweyeye, Rusizi, Bugarama, Goma, and Kabuhanga.
Always enter Rwanda through legal and recognized border points.
