Rubavu (Gisenyi)
The biggest lake town, with sandy beaches, lakeside hotels and the Nyamyumba hot springs nearby. It's about an hour's drive from Volcanoes National Park, so many visitors come here straight after a gorilla trek.
Buses from Kigali to Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi, the three towns on Rwanda's great lake, and how to travel between them.
← Part of our Rwanda travel guide
Lake Kivu runs along Rwanda's western border, and buses from Kigali's Nyabugogo bus park reach all three of its towns. Rubavu (Gisenyi) in the north is three to four hours away and pairs naturally with the gorillas. Karongi (Kibuye) halfway down is the quieter beach town, and Rusizi in the south is the gateway to Nyungwe.
| Route | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kigali to Rubavu | About RWF 6,500Our estimate | Via Musanze; three to four hours. Buses run all day. |
| Kigali to Karongi | About RWF 5,600Our estimate | Via Muhanga, through tea and farming hills. |
| Kigali to Rusizi (Kamembe), via Karongi | RWF 10,296RURA, April 2026 | The lakeside road south. |
| Rubavu to Karongi | RWF 4,950RURA, April 2026 | Along the lake, for a north-to-south trip. |
| Rubavu to Rusizi (Kamembe) | RWF 9,009RURA, April 2026 | The full length of Rwanda's shore in one day. |
The biggest lake town, with sandy beaches, lakeside hotels and the Nyamyumba hot springs nearby. It's about an hour's drive from Volcanoes National Park, so many visitors come here straight after a gorilla trek.
A quieter town on a deeply indented stretch of shore, with boat trips to the islands and green hills all around. Many travellers rate it the prettiest of the three.
The southern end of the lake and the closest town to Nyungwe National Park, about 30 minutes' drive from the forest.
A 227 km trail follows the shore from Rubavu to Rusizi for hiking and mountain biking, through coffee and tea country. Most people walk or ride a section rather than the whole length.
There's no regular public ferry along Rwanda's side of the lake that we could confirm, so the bus is the practical way between towns. Private boats run between Rubavu and Karongi; one operator lists the trip at $229 per boat for up to eight people. Short boat trips to the islands off Karongi and Rubavu are easy to arrange locally.
A one-way trip south along the lake, joining up with the gorillas and Nyungwe.
After a gorilla trek, take the bus on from Musanze to Rubavu for a night by the lake.
RWF 4,950 by bus. Stay a night or two for the islands and the quiet.
Continue south, then back to Kigali by bus. Our 7-day itinerary follows this route.
Lake buses fill up on weekends and holidays. Buy at the company counter in Nyabugogo the day before.
Some Rusizi buses run via Karongi along the lake, others via Huye and Nyungwe. Check before you board.
Rubavu sits on the border with the DR Congo at Goma. Check your government's travel advice before thinking of crossing.
Sources: RURA's April 2026 intercity fares as reported by Umunota and Isibo Media; Africa Green Tours for the private boat; Visit Rwanda for Lake Kivu and the Congo Nile Trail. Checked 31 October 2026. Confirm fares before you pay.
Gorillas, chimpanzees, Akagera and Lake Kivu, with permit prices and a 7-day route.
Rwanda travel guide