Bukavu – Congo

There may be travel advisories that say it is quite hard to be safe in Congo. But with the beauty that lies deep within this African country, you will surely take the risk and take the plunge into its nicely diversified community.

Among the many travel sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bukavu is one of the must-see destinations. It is a city in the southern part of Africa that boasts of scenic spots and spectacular peninsula.

Location and How to Get There

Bukavu is the city capital of the province of Sud-Kivu. It lies in the borders of Rwanda and is quite accessible no matter where you are in Africa because it is a main hub of transport.

You can get to Bukavu from Rwanda through Cangungu. There are also major orads and highways leading to Bukavu from the cities of Kisangani, Goma, and some other Congo towns. You

can also fly or sail to Bukavu, depending on your point of enter as well as your preference for transport.

What to See

There are many scenic sights and picturesque views in the spectacular city of Bukavu. For one, you can visit the low land gorillas via the Kahuzi Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. You may also see the famous Lake Kivu, which is known for its lovely peninsula and the Minova Village, where you can experience the Bukavu way of life.

History

Bukavu was formerly named Rusozi. That’s what it’s called before the Europeans came and invaded the Bushi Kingdom in which Bukavu is part of. When the Belgian colonial authorities established the town, it was named Costermansville. It was under colonial rule with a prominent European population until 1954.

Colonial authorities could not help but get attracted to the wonderful peninsula that awaits them at Bukavu. On top of that, it also has a nice subtropical climate.

Cost

Getting in and around Bukavu does not cost much. That is, if you consider how much you will gain in the process. The subtropical climate, the scenic spots, the picturesque peninsula are all worth it.

There are decent accommodations all around Bukavu that will not cost an arm and a leg. In fact, one hotel can even treat you to reasonably priced foods. Transportation is also not as expensive. Boat travels from Goma only costs about $10 to $50 and it comes with an amazing deal of a stop to Idjwi Island if you are lucky enough.