Travellers on Lake Kivu often ask whether they can drive into DR Congo from Rwanda. Rubavu sits right next to the Congolese city of Goma, and the volcanoes of Virunga National Park are close by. Our answer for hire cars is simple: we don’t recommend it.
Why we don’t recommend you drive into DR Congo
- Security: parts of eastern DR Congo have experienced unrest and armed conflict. The situation can change quickly.
- Insurance: standard insurance for Rwandan hire cars doesn’t cover DR Congo.
- Roads and borders: road conditions, checkpoints and border procedures are very different from Rwanda’s.
- Breakdowns: our roadside assistance can’t reach you across the border.
For these reasons, we don’t recommend taking a hire car into DR Congo.
Check official travel advice
If you are thinking about visiting DR Congo at all, read your government’s latest travel advice first. Many governments advise against travel to much of eastern DR Congo.
Great alternatives in Rwanda
- See volcanoes and mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s own Volcanoes National Park.
- Enjoy the beaches and boat trips of Lake Kivu on the Rwandan side.
- Track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest.
Why the DR Congo border is different
Rwanda’s borders with Uganda and Tanzania are routine crossings for travellers with the right papers. The border with DR Congo, especially at Rubavu and Goma, is different. It is busy with local trade and traffic, procedures for foreign vehicles can be complex, and conditions on the Congolese side can change quickly with the security situation.
What about Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park, on the Congolese side of the volcanoes, is famous for gorillas and the Nyiragongo volcano. Its operations depend on the security situation, and visits are normally arranged with the park’s own transport and guides, not in a Rwandan hire car. If you are considering a visit, follow the latest official advice and contact the park directly.
Driving near the border on the Rwandan side
The Rwandan side of Lake Kivu is safe and popular with travellers. Rubavu, Kibuye and Rusizi are all relaxed towns, and the lakeshore road is one of the best drives in the country. Simply stay on the Rwandan side with your hire car.
- Follow road signs and stay on main roads near the border.
- Carry your passport and car documents, as checks are more frequent near borders.
- Don’t photograph border posts or security installations.
Volcanic activity near Rubavu
Mount Nyiragongo, across the border in DR Congo, is an active volcano. Rwanda monitors it closely, and in the rare event of an alert, authorities give clear instructions. If you are staying in Rubavu, follow local news and your hotel’s advice.
What our rental terms say
Our hire cars may only cross into Uganda or Tanzania when agreed in advance, with the paperwork we prepare. We don’t recommend taking a hire car into DR Congo; our roadside assistance can’t reach you there, and Rwandan insurance doesn’t automatically cover other countries.
Exploring Lake Kivu safely
The Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu has plenty to fill several days. In Rubavu, enjoy the beaches and the waterfront; in Kibuye, take a boat to the islands; and in between, drive the lakeshore road through tea and coffee hills. Read our Lake Kivu guide.
Seeing volcanoes from Rwanda
You don’t need to cross the border to experience the Virunga volcanoes. From Rwanda you can hike Bisoke to its crater lake or climb Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest peak, in Volcanoes National Park. Read Volcanoes National Park.
Before you drive into DR Congo: questions to ask yourself
- What does my government’s latest travel advice say about the area?
- Does my travel insurance cover me there?
- Can I visit with an organised operator instead of driving?
- Is there an equally rewarding experience on the Rwandan side?
For most travellers, the answers point clearly towards staying in Rwanda with a hire car.
If plans change while you’re in Rubavu
If you’re in Rubavu and the situation across the border changes, follow local news and your hotel’s advice, and contact us if you need help with your car or your route. We can suggest alternative plans in Rwanda.
Our advice in one sentence
Keep your hire car in Rwanda, Uganda or Tanzania, enjoy the Rwandan shore of Lake Kivu and the Virunga volcanoes from the Rwandan side, and check official advice before considering any travel to DR Congo.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk across to Goma from Rubavu?
That is a separate decision from your car hire. Check your government’s travel advice first, and never take the hire car across.
Can I see the volcanoes from Rwanda?
Yes. On clear days you can see the Virunga volcanoes from Musanze, Rubavu and the lakeshore, and you can hike several of them in Volcanoes National Park.
Is Lake Kivu safe for travellers?
Yes. The Rwandan shore is safe and welcoming. Read our Lake Kivu guide and safety in Rwanda.
Can I drive into DR Congo with a driver?
We don’t recommend it, with or without a driver.
Is Rubavu safe?
Yes. Rubavu is a popular, relaxed lake resort on the Rwandan side.
Related reading
- Lake Kivu: the Rwandan shore by car.
- Safety in Rwanda: restricted areas and tips.
- Cross-border car rental: where you can take a hire car.
Crossing into Uganda or Tanzania instead
If you’d like to visit another country, Uganda and Tanzania are both possible with the paperwork we prepare. Read cross-border car rental and Bwindi from Kigali.
By Kigali Luxe Car Rental
