The 13 Best Day Trips from Bukavu
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 13 good day trips from Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Kigali, Bujumbura, Goma. The closest is Kagano, about 35 min by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Bukavu
- 1
Kigali, Rwanda
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car148 km north-east of BukavuKnown for Anti-Corruption Monument.
- 2
Bujumbura, Burundi
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car115 km south-east of Bukavu - 3
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car100 km north-east of Bukavu - 4
Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car106 km south of Bukavu - 5
Gisenyi, Rwanda
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car99 km north-east of Bukavu - 6
Gitarama, Rwanda
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car112 km north-east of Bukavu - 7
Muhanga, Rwanda
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car109 km north-east of Bukavu - 8
Butare, Rwanda
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car100 km east of Bukavu - 9
Ngozi, Burundi
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car119 km south-east of Bukavu - 10
Mpanda, Burundi
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car98 km south-east of Bukavu - 11
Kibuye, Rwanda
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car74 km north-east of Bukavu - 12
Kirambo, Rwanda
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car38 km north-east of Bukavu - 13
Kagano, Rwanda
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car32 km north-east of Bukavu
A sample day: Bukavu to Kigali
- 07:30Leave Bukavu
- 09:50Arrive in Kigali (2 hr 20 min drive)
- 10:05Anti-Corruption Monument
- 12:05Lunch
- 13:20Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Kigali
- 15:50Head back to Bukavu
- 18:10Home in Bukavu
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Bukavu?
- The best day trips from Bukavu are Kigali, Bujumbura, Goma, Uvira, Gisenyi. The closest is Kagano, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Bukavu?
- Kagano is the closest, 32 km north-east of Bukavu, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Bukavu?
- 2 places are within about an hour's drive of Bukavu: Kagano (35 min), Kirambo (45 min).
- What is the biggest city near Bukavu for a day out?
- Kigali is the largest city in day-trip range, 148 km north-east of Bukavu and about 2 hr 20 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Bukavu?
- For a weekend away from Bukavu, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Kigali (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), Ngozi (119 km, 1 hr 50 min), Bujumbura (115 km, 1 hr 50 min), Gitarama (112 km, 1 hr 45 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Bukavu?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Kigali at 148 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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