Rwanda Travel Forum

I was wondering if anyone has made the trip across the border into the DRC from Gisenyi to Goma for a day trip? Any stories to share about hassles? I know currently the situation is a big too troubling to attempt it but i'm considering making the trip in the end of January next year so things could be different. Aside from the fact that most governments advise against all travel to the DRC and aside from the fact that the political situation can change at anytime, what are the logistics of going through? Find that it was worth it in the end?

Hi Joey,
I suggest you check first with your Embassy whether it is safe to travel to the DRC crossing the Rwandan border at Gyseni. Quite often there are skirmishes there and the border is closed. What makes you want to visit the DRC, its nothing but a shanty town and there's nothing there of interest that one cant see in Rwanda. Think it over seriously before you do.

Thank you for the reply,

I am definitely aware of the current political situation and the dangers and by no means am I definitley planning on going in. I have just read that Goma is worth a visit and that when the situation is calm Goma is relatively safe and without incident.

The purpose of my question is strickly logistic. I want to know if anyone has actually done it, what are the hassles that they have come across as far as amount of time it takes to get through, entry points from Gisenyi or just stories about their day trips because I am having a hard time finding any online.

Thank you for your conscern though!

Glad I found this post. I was at the border about 3 weeks ago (on the Rwandan side). Actually the day the Congo election reslts were released. Everyone has told me that the flow between the countries is quite consistent. I had a friend that went 2 months ago to Goma from Rwanda. He hired a driver here in Rwanda to take him and a friend. They only went for one day. They had absolutely no problems and said that seeing Goma was well worth it. Not to say that the risk isn't there depending on the circumstances, but you seem to realize that. I hope to make it to Goma before I leave Rwanda as well.
All the best,
Marc