Gisenyi town features a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, with several hotels and three sandy beaches in Rwanda. Gisenyi town is also known for water sports. The northern shore of the lake Kivu on which Goma city and Gisenyi lie is a flat plain featuring lava formations from the eruptions of nearby Mountain Nyiragongo.
However, Goma city in DRC and Gisenyi escaped the lava flows of both the 1977 and the 2002 eruptions, which destroyed about 15 and 40% of the former. The centre of Gisenyi lies by foothills at the northeast corner of the lake, and low-density expansion is taking place in the hills, which are expected to be safe from future eruptions.
The popular Bralirwa, a local manufacture of local beers — Primus, Mützig, Amstel and Guinness — as well as a range of Coca-Cola–branded soft drinks. Gisenyi is a small town compared to neighbouring Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though Gisenyi is growing quickly. In 2011, a new multistorey shopping mall began construction over an old bus station. As of 2011, the main roads of the town are paved, and sidewalks are nearing completion for most of them as well.
Gisenyi has two borders with Goma, the “Petite Barrière” and the “Grand Barrière”. These names are a little misleading because the Petite Barrière is physically larger and features much higher traffic volumes. About 6,000 people crossed the Petite Barrière daily during 2011. On the Gisenyi side, a large customs and immigration office was built with a large capacity, not yet matched by the Congolese facilities. Similarly, the road to the Petite Barrière is paved on the Rwandan side but not on the Congolese side. The Grande Barrière is paved on both sides and receives more of the heavy truck traffic. It is also a diplomatic border.
During the Rwandan Genocide, the provisional government was based in the city. Gisenyi is the city where Laurent Nkunda — accused by the United Nations of having led an army that illegally recruited Congolese young soldiers — is being held, pending a determination on the Democratic Republic of Cong extradition request.
You can reach Gisenyi Town by self – drive or Car with a driver. The trip can start from Kigali Airport where the car will be given to you.
Self – Drive to Gisenyi
You can be your driver to Gisenyi town which is situated at the boarder of Uganda and Rwanda. Reach there at your convenience to relax at the shores of Lake Kivu. At the shores of Lake Kivu, you can dine at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or Paradise malahide Hotel.
Advantages of self – drive to Gisenyi
-You determine the speed to drive on basing on when to reach Gisenyi.
-You can make stopovers to see a variety of tourist attraction on the way
-You can choose the car to hire basing on your budget and comfortability of the car
-The driver can spend less because you can go self – drive with full camping gear. Sleeping in Tents is cheaper compared to staying in the Hotel.
If you are looking for affordable private transportation to and around Gisenyi town, you can rent a car plus driver or on self- drive with 4×4 Rentals Uganda today. Just send us and email and we shall reply you within 24hrs.
