Just like all other countries, Uganda and Rwanda also have territorial boundaries. But the attractive part is what is done at the borders and what the border towns have to offer to tourists. With several border points through which tourists connect to Rwanda or Uganda, Cyanika still stands out as the busiest and most active border point.
Cyanika border is a crossing point between Rwanda and Uganda, through Kisoro town in southwestern Uganda. It is a developing tourism hub that several travelers are now looking at, given that border crossing is included in some travel itineraries, especially those that cross to other countries. The border’s location, connecting two beautiful countries in Africa, has made it a famous destination for almost all travelers crossing from either country.
On the Ugandan side, Cyanika is close to Kisoro town, which is also a tourism center with numerous attractions including Mgahinga National Park with its golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura mountains, as well as the Congo Border, among many others.
From Kisoro, travelers can easily connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors, Lake Mutanda, and Lake Bunyonyi. Adding credit to Kisoro is the tarmacked airfield with daily flights by Aero link from Entebbe. All these factors make Cyanika strategically located in a place that is always filled with tourists.
From Rwanda, Cyanika is in Burera district. Unlike Kisoro in Uganda, Burera isn’t a tourism hub except for the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. However, it is close to Musanze district, famous for Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas, Musanze caves, the Ib’yiwachu cultural village, and several other destinations easily accessed through Cyanika. Perhaps this is why some trips to Uganda first go through Rwanda.
Unlike the border situation between Kenya and Tanzania, crossing the Cyanika border with vehicles is not very difficult. Several tourists use buses, land cruisers, and tour vans to travel to either Uganda or Rwanda. However, Rwandan regulations require vehicles to have safety tools like fire extinguishers and insurance certificates, making crossing into Rwanda straightforward with these items.
Both Rwanda and Uganda’s tourism sectors are working closely to develop responsible cross-border tourism, facilitated by short air connections totaling almost four flights per day. However, the overland border crossing remains more adventurous than flying. Nevertheless, tourists continue to cross into the other country either way.
Perhaps not many people outside the neighboring countries know Cyanika, apart from those who have crossed into Rwanda through this border. But it is a crucial tourism center between two major tourism destinations in Africa.
Through the East African Community, several other border points are planned for construction, which is good news for tourists, tour operators, and traders aiming to avoid traffic and hassle when crossing between Uganda and Rwanda. Indeed, any cross-border trip between Uganda and Rwanda must go through Cyanika border town for an extremely awesome experience on your Uganda-Rwanda safaris.
