Cyanika Border

Cyanika boarder is a linking point between Uganda and Rwanda found in the south western part of Uganda and north eastern part of Rwanda. Cyanika boarder is about an hour’s drive to Volcanoes national park and a 30 minute drive to Mgahinga national park. Cyanika settlement also known as Kyanika is on the Ugandan side and only about 10 kilometers from Kisoro town a tourist’s destination in Uganda.

There are plans for the boarder to be re-built by the Rwanda Ministry of infrastructure. Cyanika boarder is one of the easiest boarders you will ever cross without much disturbance though you will need a passport, visa and yellow fever card to cross the border. This border is important to both countries because it connects the two important tourist’s areas.

Places of interest near Cyanika

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes national park is the top and most visited tourist destination in Rwanda. Thousands of visitors visit volcanoes national park annually to trek the endangered mountain gorillas or to attend the gorilla naming ceremony. Only eight people can visit a certain gorilla family in a day and an hour of observation is given once the great apes are found.

Volcanoes national park is also home to five of the Virunga volcanoes that is mount Sabinyo, mount Muhabura, mount Gahinga, mount Karasimbi and mount Bisoke. Tourists can enjoy mountain climbing before or after gorilla trekking, permits for trekking cost $1500 per person in Rwanda.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southern part of Uganda bordering Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park, the park is home to mountain gorillas and three of the Virunga Massif volcanoes that is Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura. Mount Sabinyo offers spectacular views of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda at its peak.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park costs $600 only and children, under the age of 15 years will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas. Mgahinga national park also offers a unique experience of golden monkey trekking.

Lake Mutanda located near the Cyanika border is situated in 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 15 islands on a traditional dugout canoe just like local fishermen while having spectacular views of the Virunga volcanic mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Tourists can also have a cultural encounter on the islands or around the Lake.

How to get to Cyanika boarder
Cyanika border can be reached within 5-6 hours drive from Kigali the capital of Rwanda or within 9-10 hours drive from Kampala the capital of Uganda. The nearest airstrip is Kisoro airstrip on the Uganda side with daily scheduled flights to Entebbe international airport.