Cyangugu Town is a Lakeside City nestled within the southern edge of Lake Kivu hence making it a window to Lake Kivu and is adjacent to Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, although it is separated by River Ruzizi. The Town of Cyangugu is the largest and Capital City of Rusizi district within the Western Province of Rwanda.
The bustling Town of Cyangugu features two main settlement areas that include Cyangugu itself along the shores of Lake Kivu with low population density and Kamembe, a transport and industrial area in the further inland to the north with higher population density. Cyangugu Town just like Kamembe Town is served by Kamembe International Airport with at least 11 weekly flights to Kigali International Airport. Based on 2015 Population Census, 63,883 people lived within Cyangugu.
Residents of Cyangugu Town in Rwanda- Photo credit:- James.
Attractions within and near Cyangugu Town
Cyangugu Town is close to the lush Nyungwe Forest National Park (54 kilometers along Butare road), a famous chimpanzee trekking destination in Rwanda with at least 13 species of primates. Tourists visiting Cyangugu can therefore, enjoy tourist activities within Nyungwe Forest National Park such as Chimpanzee tracking, colobus monkey tracking, canopy walk, bird watching, and hiking.
The Mashesha hot springs with the pool of boiling water oozing from the earth crust are also popular tourist attractions within Cyangungu.
Also, Cyangugu’s location near Nyungwe makes it a perfect shopping center for tourists heading to the popular Chimpanzee trekking destination.
Tourists visiting Cyangugu Town can also visit Lake Kivu where water sports such as boat rides, kayaking, dug-out canoes, and swimming can be enjoyed.
Places to stay within Cyangugu area.
Tourists visiting Cyangugu can stay within the different budget, midrange and luxury accommodation facilities that include Motel Gloria, Emeraude Kivu Resort, Hotel Du Lac, Rubavu Motel and Munini Hill Hotel among others.
How to get to and within Cyangugu.
Cyangugu is situated within Rusizi district, in the Western Province of Rwanda. This popular Town can be accessed by private or public means whereby with the latter, regular buses (lasting 6 hours), as well as minibusses, are available from Kigali City to Butare. Transport around and within Cyangugu is by motorbike taxis.
Other towns in Rwanda that are exciting to new visitors include Musanze town, this is close to Volcanoes National Park where gorilla trekking in Rwanda happens.