Also known as the Gatuna border, Katuna is a border post between Uganda and Rwanda. It is located in the extreme southwestern Uganda in Kabale district and is the major exit or entrance point for Rwanda’s imports and exports to Uganda and vice versa. Unlike the Cyanika border post crossing from Uganda to Rwanda and vice versa, which caters to more tourists and individual travelers, Katuna is mostly a commercial crossing border for imports and exports, making it Rwanda’s busiest border. Note that it’s a 24-hour open border.
Katuna is just a 15-minute drive away from Kabale town, a town of hills and several tourist attractions. Kabale, being a tourism hub, and Katuna, the busiest border, have led to the rapid development of both towns in tourism as well as business. On the Rwanda side, it’s called Gatuna, located in Gicumbi district, roughly a one-hour drive from Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
Even though Gatuna is a bit far from Kigali, the beauty that the town holds makes the one-hour drive worthwhile. Kigali is a vibrant city with plenty to see while on a Rwanda safari: visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial site, the National Museum, craft markets, shopping malls, and experience the local culture. Kigali will never fail to captivate you.
What to Do and See near Katuna Border
Lake Bunyonyi
This is the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. It has over 25 small islands, including the famous Punishment Island where young girls who became pregnant before marriage were historically abandoned to die as a punishment. Visiting the lake allows one to engage in various activities, including day and sunset cruises, canoeing, zip-lining, nature walks, community encounters, and many other activities. Surely, before crossing into Rwanda, visiting Lake Bunyonyi is a must-do.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Home to over 700 mountain gorillas, almost three-quarters of the world’s total population, it’s just about 1 to 2 hours’ drive from Kabale, depending on the region for gorilla trekking.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most visited parks in Uganda. It not only harbors gorillas but also several other primates like monkeys, forest buffalos, elephants, diverse flora, and many other attractions. While in Bwindi, don’t miss the Batwa cultural encounter to experience how these people traditionally lived in the forest.
Mgahinga National Park
Located in Kisoro, roughly a one-hour and thirty-minute drive from Kabale, Mgahinga is known for its mountain gorillas and is the only park in Uganda where tourists can track both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Here, tourists also engage in excellent hiking experiences to Sabyinyo, Muhabura, and Gahinga mountains, offering stunning views over the other volcanoes in the Virunga Range.
How to Access Katuna Border
With Uganda’s improved roads, reaching Katuna is hassle-free. It is only an 8-hour drive from Kampala to Katuna border, passing via Masaka – Mbarara – Kabale highway. From Kigali, Katuna border is only a 5-hour drive, passing through undulating hills and extensive plantations. Whether you’re around Kabale, Kampala, or Kigali, Katuna is a destination worth the drive for the best border crossing experience.
