Uganda to Rwanda/Burundi

I'm thinking about taking 2-3 weeks to travel through Bwindi Park & Lake Bunyonyi over the Christmas holidays, then across Rwanda and Burundi by land. I don't know much about the area, and was wondering if anyone has travelled this route and has any tips? I am a solo female traveller and would like to do some light hiking and sightseeing around the area. Thanks.

I traveled that route earlier this year.

From Uganda to Kabale I took the PostBus. It left from downtown Kampala at 7AM and took about 9 hrs to reach Kabale (25000 UGX). I did the gorilla trek in Bwindi Park from Kabale.

From Kabale to Kigali used a share taxi (30000 UGX). Departed 8:30 AM.. forget arrival time but Rwanda was an hour behind Uganda. No visa required for US citizens in Rwanda but they had a problem with my passport at the Rwanda border that held us up for 45 minutes or so.

From Kigali to Bujumbura used Belvedere coach (6000 RwF), departed 10AM arrived after 4PM. I was able to get my 3-day transit visa ($40) at the border.

Just back from 8 weeks in Rwanda and Burundi and loved every minute

Travel is very easy and both kabale and Kisoro in Uganda are worth seeing.

From the border with Kisoro there are regular buses that go into Musanze from where you can go to Kigali or Gisenyi (but if you go to the later you might prefer Rubona by the lake. Rwanda is a great place and you will enjoy it and as long as you take the normal precautions it is very safe. Very easy to get around although it can sometimes be easier to go to and from Kigali and not direct

There are plenty of buses from Kigali to Buja every morning (but book) and you can also pick up the volcano buses in Butare (but book). Buses to Buja take two routes so if you want to stop off in somewhere like Kirondo (lovely little town and some lovely walks) then you need Belvedere or African safari otherwise Volcano and Yahoo both go via Butare.

Burnidi is fantastic not quite as easy to get around as Rwanda but well worth the effort but just be careful in Buja at night if hotel is not in a busy area.

For Uganda and Rwanda have a look at the excellent Bradt guides and for Burundi then there is a french guide (le petit fute) but it lacks decent maps of the towns which makes it of limited value.

BigAl

Need your help again!

Looking at going from Entebbe to Bujumbura as fast as possible ... possible to do it in a day (judging by your previous post I'd say not!) - will be working in Entebbe & want to leave as early as possible on Saturday (although there's a well-timed Air Uganda flight too!) ...
How long do you think it would take? Any chance of a transit visa for Rwanda that you know of?

I might fly one way & overland the other .. as I didn't manage to get to see friends in Bujumbura on my Kigali trip in September!

Thanks

Kira

Kira,

There used to be a bus that run straight from Kampala to Bujumbura (Horizon) but last year they were banned operating (due to accidents), don't l know if they are back. Even if they were, I would not take them, living in the region have seen them on roadside so many times.

Otherwise, I have done both parts separately by bus, you cannot do it one day unless you travel at night (which is not recommendable). Definitely do not travel on Burundi side at night, that is dangerous. The bus from Entebbe to Kigali takes about nine hours. Then the buses from Kigali to Bujumbura take around six hours. Last time I was tossing different options and ended up flying, air Uganda has sometimes good prices.

Ugandan buses are cowboy style, racing against each other so ensure you take a good bus. Jaguar drives carefully. Then Belvedere is the best bus company to Burundi, leaving Kigali at 7am and 10am (they take different routes). With the smaller Matatu types minibuses you risk of having breakdowns or accidents but doable also, timing more flexible. Burundi side has some dangerous mountain slopes (have also seen a bus which fell down to the valley, all died), so I would be careful and take Belvedere only.

Rwanda visa option are on the immigration pages, there are now various option, if you need to pay, iirc you end up paying the same be it transit or normal single entry. Consider visa costs against your flight ticket....

Thanks Fulana

Just what I needed to know & no I don't EVER travel at night (you may remember my drama a few years ago!)

I might end up flying one way and doing a slow route back, spent a week in Kigali for work in September and didn't get a chance to see anything of Rwanda apart from the hotel for sleep & airport for work!!

There might also be the chance of flying home from Kigali (as aircraft continues on via Entebbe)

Thanks again for this, finally I might be able to catch up with good friends I met in Cote d'Ivoire who took my advice on here & by chance we met!

Kira

As Fulana says not really possible. Last bus to Buja from Kigali is around mid day

Lovely journey though

Enjoy

As I didn't get to see Rwanda's scenery last time, will I see some of the 'better' bits (terraces) etc if I took my time from the Burundi border via Kamembe & Gisenyi then to Kigali ...

Thought process is to fly Entebbe - Bujumbura then land to Kigali & fly out (don't have lots of time unfortunately!)

Kira