Cyanika Border
Cyanika border is a linking point between Uganda and Rwanda found in the southwestern part of Uganda and the northeastern part of Rwanda. The border is located near Musanze town on the Rwanda side and Kisoro district on the Rwanda side. Cyanika border is about an hour’s drive to volcanoes national and a 30-minute drive to Mgahinga national park. Cyanika settlement also known as Kyanika is on the Ugandan side and only about 10 km from the town of Kisoro a tourist destination in Uganda.
Rwanda revenue authority handles the Cyanika border on the Rwanda side and Uganda revenue authority handles it on the Ugandan side and these two works together to ensure that tourists cross the border with ease. There was an introduction of an East African visa to make the crossing of other countries into East Africa easy and this is always valid for 90 days for travel in and out of east African countries.
There are plans for the border to be re-built by the ministry of infrastructure in Rwanda. Cyanika border is one of the easiest borders you will ever cross without much disturbance though you will need to have a passport, yellow fever card, and visa to cross from one country to another. This border is important to both Rwanda and Uganda because it connects the two important tourist areas.
Places of interest near to Cyanika
Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is the top and most visited tourist destination in Rwanda the fact that it harbors endangered mountain gorillas. Thousands of visitors visit the volcanoes national park annually to trek the endangered mountain gorillas or to attend the gorilla naming ceremony. Volcanoes national park has 10 habituated families that are open for tourism in a day meaning that this park has 80 gorilla permits since only 8 people are allowed to trek a gorilla family per day. To trek mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park you need a valid permit which costs $1500 and you are advised to purchase it 3-4 months in advance.
Volcanoes national park is also home to 5 out 8 Virunga volcanoes is Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Karisimbi. It is also home to over 300 bird species, primates among which include golden monkeys only found in the Virunga region as well as forest elephants
Mgahinga gorilla national park
Mgahinga national park is situated in the southern part of Uganda in Kisoro district bordering Rwanda’s volcanoes national park, the park is home to some of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas with only one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi and hosts 3 out of 8 Virunga massif volcanoes that are Mount Ghainga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabinyo. Mount Sabyinyo offers spectacular views of DR Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda at its peak.
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 foreign residents, and shs250,000 East African citizens, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas as well as people with infectious diseases such as flu, cough, and diarrhea because the mountain gorillas are vulnerable and can easily get infected with these diseases. Mgahinga national park also offers a unique experience of golden monkey trekking.
Lake mutanda situated near the Cyanika border is located in the Kisoro district of Uganda and it’s an idle place for relaxation after a hectic gorilla trekking experience, you can explore some of the lakes and islands on a traditional dugout canoe just like local fishermen while having spectacular views of the Virunga volcanic mountains of Rwanda, DR Congo, and Uganda. Tourists can also have a cultural encounter on the islands or around the lake.
How to get to Cyanika border
Cyanika border can be reached within a 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali city of Rwanda or within 9-10 hours from Entebbe/ Kampala the capital city of Uganda. The nearest airstrip to
Cyanika border is Kisoro airstrip on the Uganda side with daily scheduled flights from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip.
