| Town: | Gisenyi |
| Location: | Africa > Rwanda |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| Like Kibuye (Karongi), Gisenyi is another great place to explore and enjoy Lake Kivu. The town also favours from quick connections with both Kigali and Ruhengeri (Musanze) and has enough eateries and accommodations to cater for a variety of tourist, provided they are not in any hurry. While not as peaceful or immediately beautiful as Kibuye (Karongi), Gisenyi does have its own charm and is worth spending a few days in, especially if you’re thinking of exploring the surrounding areas by foot. With Gisenyi Beach and Rubona Beach easily accessible on foot, and a couple of good viewpoints (especially Rubona Hill Scenic Viewpoint) just outside of town, you won’t be hard pressed to stay active here. – Daniel |
| If you’ve written a description for Gisenyi (Rubavu) you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| Although not nearly as immediately pretty as Kibuye (Karongi), this Lake Kivu lakeside town is better facilitated and has the added bonus of volcanic views on a clear day. |
| As with many places in Rwanda, there are few conventional attractions here. However, taking the Gisenyi Walk 1 (Congo Nile Trail) or Gisenyi Walk 2 (Congo Nile Subtrail) can be a pleasant way of spending your time. |
| If you’re on a budget, consider staying at Bethany Investment Group Guesthouse and eating the all-day buffet at Auberge de Gisenyi Restaurant. |
| If you have a tip about Gisenyi (Rubavu) and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Location
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | Add Data |
| Also known as: | Rubavu |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Add Data |
| Port(s): | Add Data |
| Station(s): | Gisenyi Bus Station |
| Terminal(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | beach, forest, hill, lake, mountain |
| Location type: | border, rural, town, village |
| Religion type: | Roman Catholocism. Protestantism |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data |
| Services: | Add Data |
| Shops: | Dreamshop Supermarket |
| Animals: | Add Data |
| Birds: | Add Data |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | Rwandan Frank (RWF) |
| Average daily budget: | RWF19,150 |
When should we go there, and for how long?
| Average time taken: | 5 nights |
| High season: | June to September |
| Low season: | March to May |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | English, French, Kinyarwanda |
| Timezone: | UTC+02:00 |
| Country calling code: | 250 |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of attractions visited: | 7 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 35 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 2 hours, 10 minutes |
| Size: | 11km2 |
| Altitude: | 1,481m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Gisenyi |
| Wikitravel: | Gisenyi |
| Tripadvisor: | Gisenyi |
| Local tourism: | Rwanda Tourism |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | Add Data |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Office Holidays |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | RWF1,500 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | RWF600 |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | RWF700 |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | RWF1,500 |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | RWF15,000 |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | RWF6,000 |
| Milk | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Oil | 1 litre | RWF1,725 |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Water | 1 litre | RWF400 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | RWF15,000 |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Wine | 1 bottle | RWF10,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | RWF2,000 |
| Apples | 1kg | RWF1,200 |
| Bananas | 1kg | RWF500 |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | Add Data |
| Bread | 1 loaf | RWF1,000 |
| Carrots | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chillies | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | RWF600 |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | RWF200 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | RWF1,200 |
| Cucumber | 1kg | Add Data |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | Add Data |
| Garlic | 1kg | Add Data |
| Ginger | 1kg | Add Data |
| Honey | 1 jar | RWF1,800 |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Jam | 1 jar | RWF2,500 |
| Onions | 1kg | Add Data |
| Oranges | 1kg | Add Data |
| Pasta | 1kg | RWF1,600 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | RWF4,000 |
| Peanuts | 100g | RWF500 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | Add Data |
| Raisins | 100g | RWF700 |
| Rice | 1kg | RWF1,700 |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | RWF800 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | RWF5,000 |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Condoms | 1 pack | RWF1,000 |
| Deodorant | 1 can | RWF2,500 |
| Floss | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | RWF150 |
| Razors | 1 pack | RWF3,500 |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | RWF1,000 |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | RWF4,000 |
| Soap | 1 bar | RWF600 |
| Tampons | 1 box | Add Data |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | RWF1,200 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | RWF1,000 |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | RWF3,000 |
| Bandages | 1 pack | RWF1,500 |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | RWF1,500 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | RWF300 |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | RWF1,000 |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | Add Data |
| Plasters | 1 pack | RWF1,500 |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | RWF3,000 |
| Chilli powder | 100g | Add Data |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | RWF2,000 |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | RWF1,500 |
| Coriander | 100g | Add Data |
| Cumin | 100g | Add Data |
| Fuel | 1 litre | RWF898 |
| Internet | 1 hour | RWF400 |
| Lighter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Matches | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Paprika | 100g | Add Data |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Turmeric | 100g | RWF1,250 |
| Stock | 1 pack | Add Data |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (continental) | RWF2,167 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | RWF4,000 | |
| Buffet (vegetarian) | RWF1,100 | |
| Burger | RWF4,000 | |
| Burger (cheese) | RWF4,167 | |
| Cake (slice) | RWF3,000 | |
| Carbonara | RWF3,500 | |
| Cereal | RWF2,000 | |
| Chapatti | RWF650 | |
| Chicken wings | RWF5,000 | |
| Curry (generic – meat) | RWF6,000 | |
| Curry (generic – vegetable) | RWF4,000 | |
| Dumplings (Asian – meat) | RWF4,000 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | RWF1,567 | |
| Fillet (beef) | RWF5,125 | |
| Fillet (fish) | RWF5,625 | |
| French fries | RWF1,333 | |
| Fried (fish) | RWF4,000 | |
| Fried rice (meat) | RWF4,000 | |
| Fruit salad | RWF2,500 | |
| Grilled (chicken) | RWF4,670 | |
| Grilled (fish) | RWF4,333 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Lasagna | RWF4,000 | |
| Meat balls | RWF1,367 | |
| Omelette | RWF1,234 | |
| Pancake (simple) | RWF1,800 | |
| Pasta (meat) | RWF3,833 | |
| Pasta (vegetable) | RWF2,670 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | RWF5,667 | |
| Pizza (simple) | RWF4,170 | |
| Pork chops | RWF5,000 | |
| Porridge | RWF2,000 | |
| Quesadilla (meat) | RWF5,500 | |
| Quesadilla (vegetables) | RWF5,000 |
| Dish | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ribs | RWF4,000 | |
| Rice (vegetable) | RWF3,000 | |
| Roasted (pork) | RWF4,500 | |
| Roasted (vegetable) | RWF5,000 | |
| Salad | RWF2,500 | |
| Salad (meat) | RWF3,750 | |
| Sandwich (basic) | RWF2,750 | |
| Sandwich (loaded) | RWF3,125 | |
| Skewers (meat) | RWF2,100 | |
| Soup (meat) | RWF3,500 | |
| Soup (vegetarian) | RWF1,900 | |
| Steak | RWF5,333 | |
| Stew (meat) | RWF10,000 | |
| Whole (chicken) | RWF10,000 | |
| Whole (fish) | RWF8,334 |
| Beverage | Average Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey’s (shot) | RWF1,650 | |
| Bailey’s (bottle) | RWF20,000 | |
| Beer (multinational) | RWF1,140 | |
| Beer (national) | RWF760 | |
| Coffee | RWF1,400 | |
| Cognac (shot) | RWF3,500 | |
| Fruit juice (concentrated) | RWF1,500 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | RWF1,267 | |
| Gin (shot) | RWF2,434 | |
| Hot chocolate | RWF1,800 | |
| Milk | RWF2,000 | |
| Red Bull | RWF2,000 | |
| Rum (shot) | RWF2,167 | |
| Soft drink | RWF620 | |
| Tea | RWF1,100 | |
| Tea (African) | RWF1,760 | |
| Tea (herbal) | RWF1,833 | |
| Tequila (shot) | RWF2,050 | |
| Vodka (shot) | RWF2,500 | |
| Waragi (shot) | RWF5,250 | |
| Water (2L) | RWF1,775 | |
| Whisky (bottle) | RWF47,500 | |
| Whisky (shot) | RWF2,760 | |
| Wine (bottle) | RWF21,667 | |
| Wine (glass) | RWF2,250 |
Gisenyi Forum
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Gisenyi (Rubavu) or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.
