January 29, 2025
When the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) catches a cold, her neighbors sneeze! This is the effect of the ever volatile security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whenever guns go off in eastern DRC, the neighbors, particularly Rwanda is on high alert for her safety.
On Jan 27th 2025, the belligerent M23 rebel group that has been at war with Congolese forces in eastern DRC descended on Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province which is also the biggest city in eastern DRC, and expelled the government forces. The M23 group now effectively controls Goma city!
Goma is located on Lake Kivu and neighbors Rubavu/Gisenyi on the Rwandan side of the border. Rubavu, in the north of Rwanda, is one of the waterfront towns of Rwanda located on Lake Kivu and is a popular destination for travelers that come to party on the beaches and spend quality time at the beautiful resorts.
Not far from Rubavu is Volcanoes National Park the home of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, which is also the most popular destination for tourists who come for the gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda. Rubavu to Volcanoes National Park is roughly one and half hour drive (it is roughly 60km distance).
A lot of travelers planning for their trip to Rwanda to see the gorillas and hike in the Volcanoes National Park have been concerned about the safety of the northern part of Rwanda as whole. Some are cancelling their travel to Rwanda as whole.
But how much of a threat is the latest development in Goma to Rwanda? Should you be so concerned to cancel your trip?
Well, you are right to be concerned because “safety first” is a general principle of life. Also, the eastern DRC which neighbors the north of Rwanda is known to be one of the most volatile regions on the continent.
But to alley your fears, Rwanda is very safe and the north of Rwanda is well protected. In fact, Rwanda has even been receiving fleeing Congolese soldiers and treating their injuries at the border with Goma.
The Musanze District where Volcanoes National Park is located and the place of the gorilla trip is quite safe as it is a considerable distance from Rubavu or Goma. So go ahead to plan your gorilla trip and hiking adventure.
M23 is not hostile to Rwanda
Also it may be reassuring that the m23 force which has taken over is not hostile to Rwanda and therefore possess no threat. If anything, Rwanda has been accused of supporting this rebel outfit. Hypothetically Rwanda is safer with m23 on the border or in Goma.
Also, the M23 has been praised for being a more disciplined and professional force than Congolese army.
You may avoid Rubavu/Gisenyi for now
There had been a bit of a stampede in Rubavu because of the loud explosions when the fighting was going on right across the border but everything settled down and it is calm again in Rubavu.
However, this is the place to avoid if you feel you would be risking it traveling to the north of Rwadna. You may want to avoid Rubavu for some days until a clear agenda to solving the latest fighting has been established and publicly known.
Visit other beautiful areas of Rwanda
If your plan of visiting Rwanda did not include going to the north then you have no serious concern and you should go ahead with your trip.
Akagera National Park in the east of Rwanda is home to big five and plenty of other wildlife and has such beautiful scenery. A 2 day Akagera trip or 3 day Akagera wildlife safari tour are awesome trips to do to experience the only savannah in Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south of the country is famous for the canopy walk and chimpanzee trekking, which you can do in addition to beautiful nature walks in one of Africa’s oldest forests that is a hotbed of biodiversity. It is heaven for nature lovers. You need 2 – 3 days for a nice short trip to this wonderful destination.
