Overview
Bukavu is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is on the border with Rwanda. This area has suffered from some of the ongoing political unrest.
Get in
You can reach Bukavu from Rwanda via the borders of Cangungu, from Burundi via the border of Uvira, and from Goma via Lake Kivu or by Road. Due to continuing wars and go the massive crossing of goods over the Rwanda/DRC border, the border crossings can take a great deal of time, and bribes. Do not approach expecting to be able to buy a visa at the border. Have it beforehand and be prepared to wait and possibly pay a bribe. The border control is just one person writing everything down in a big ledger.
The road to Goma is not considered safe but there are boats every day. If you're white you may have to argue to get a cheap ticket, as it is considered to be not suitable for tourists. Occasionally these boats also stop at Idjwi Island.
There are wooden boats to Idjwi island leaving at various times through the day. Ask around at the port. Unlike the northern part of the lake the water here is generally calmer, due to it being narrow and populated with a lot of islands, so the voyage by wooden boat is not usually unduly traumatic. There are direct flights to Kinshasa twice or thrice a week from national carriers and private companies such as flyCAA.
Get around
Getting around can be tricky to some especially those from developed countries due to the condition of the roads. The roads are in poor condition except for some parts of the city center such as the line from Labotte (head quarter of governments and other companies in the province of South Kivu) to the Ruzizi 1 border crossing in Nguba which is also the main artery of the city called boulevard Lumumba (named after the late Patrice E. Lumumba).
- Kadutu to Kadutu (Bukavu's main public market) and goes to other part of Kadutu. There also regular mini-buses that goes from Bukavu to different parts of the province such as Kamituga, Uvira and other major towns of the province. A trip from Bukavu to Uvira takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the period. You can chose to one of two routes when traveling to Uvira either you go through Rwanda or Nyangezi (but the road in this side is in bad shape). Expect the journey to take more than one day in rainy season due to the bad condition of the roads.
See
For architecture buffs, there's a large number of Arc Deco buildings across the city.
A picturesque peninsula on Lake Kivu From Bukavu you can visit the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park, Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu, and Minova village. Nuns near the airport. They have fantastic ice cream and cheese. You'll need a car to get to them and the road there is absolutely horrible, although quite worth it. Panzi Hospital visit the hospital where the 2018 Nobel prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege live and work.
Do
You can visit the Kadutu Market and see the overcrowded area of the city.
Buy
Bukavu is mainly a US dollar economy, so plan to use Congolese francs only for small purchases.
For shopping, check out the SuperMarket Asante, between the Mayor building and SONAs, in front of the Bukavu Cathedral.
Eat
Hotel La Roche has great views of the lake. Hotel Horizon (near Alfajiri Secondary School) is a good option for dinner, though the views are less exciting. Hotel Orchid a great view of the lake and the best food in town. Not terribly overpriced despite the rather high-ish quality of the establishment. You will want to drive to it at night as the road is unlit and treacherous to walk in pitch black.
For lunch and dinner, try the Cafe and Restaurant Asante at Supermarket Asante between the Mayor Building and SONAS.
Drink
Beer - Primus, Mitzigi, Turbo king.. Soft drinks - Vitalo, Fanta, Coca Cola, juice. Local Drinks - Banana beer called Kasiksi or Mutchibwe.
Mama Kindja. Sells mostly roasts: fish, meat, etc.
Sleep
Orchids Safari Club. Has 22 rooms and two suites. Regarded as the best hotel in town.
Hotel Tanganyika. Nowhere near the lake of the same name. Locals consider it the cheapest safe place. A bit grotty but generally OK.
-Bukavu_South_Kivu_Province-Hotels.html Hotel Panorama. Boulevard du Lac No 12, Labotte
Make Bukavu your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 5237824 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2026-03-25. This is not a date of field verification.
For current entry conditions and travel advisories, consult your government and destination authorities. We do not determine visa eligibility.