1

Hey, I lived in Kisoro for ages and now live in Kampala

You will no doubt cross at Kyanika (or Cyanika) crossing, which i would recommend as it follows a more natural path between Gisenyi, Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda, of which both will no doubt be on any tourist's to-do list. Payment must be made in USD and be advised there is nothing at the border other than the border itself and money changers in Rwandan Francs and Ugandan Shillings, so take what you need with you.

I have not come accross any east or southern african border that accepts anything other than dollars or (rarely) GBP or Euoros. Uganda only accepts dollars. I am sure some do, but just not the ones i have been across. With this in mind, work out all you will need to spend on visas in advance and bring it with you. Dollars are always handy regardless, bring a stash with you but make sure they are all >2006 or they will not be accepted, neither will ripped or inked notes.

2

I agree with ric-howard.
USD established from 2006 and later are more preferred and they should be unblemished notes.
And yes you can get a Ugandan visa at either Cyanika border to Kisoro or Katuna boarder to Kabale in Uganda.

3

Thanks guys, very helpful!

Do you think it is safe for me as a solo traveling young female to cross the border with public transport?

And do you guys have experience with going to Queen Elizabeth NP by public transport?

4

Yes it is safe to cross the border with public transport.

From either Kisoro town or Kabale Town, you will board a bus that will drop you in Mbarara town.
While in Mbarara , you will board another bus that is heading to Kasese and you will get off the bus at Katunguru trading center where you will hire a private car to drop you at Queen Elizabeth park and you can overnight at basic Mweya hostels just next to high end Mweya safari lodge.

Best option,
If you have enough to spend, hire a special right from Kisoro or Kabale town to Queen Elizabeth park

5

yeah i've done it many times on the above advice, you dont necessarily have to change buses though, you can get one from Kable to Kasese that stops in Mbarara, but it might be quicker to change busses into one that is full and about to leave, otherwise you will have to wait fir your own bus to fill up.

the border is safe. If you use Kisoro you will need to get a motorbike or private hire taxi though to get to town as there is no public transport.

6

The bradt guides to both countries are very useful - on the whole public transport in Rwanda is much better than in Uganda. The only bus I found direct from kabale to kasese was the night bus. A nice little diversion is via Kitagata especially if you are there for the first friday of the month and the day before when they have a big market on the Friday and the previous evening it is worth going up to the site for a nice pork meal (or other meats)

7

I want to make a quick trip to Rwanda so I can renew my Uganda VISA, how long do I have to be out of Uganda for before I ca travel back?

8

I do not know for certain but usually the requirement is that you have simply entered into the next country which will be evidenced by a stamp in your passport. Sometimes they may be upset if you stay for 5 minutes (in this case in Rwanda) but generally at land borders like this they are used to traveller needing to renew visas.