Africa · neighbouring countries

Neighboring Countries of Rwanda

Q: Which is the longest border of Rwanda?

The longest land border of Rwanda is with Burundi (315 km); the shortest is with Uganda (172 km).

Q: How long are the land borders of Rwanda?

The land borders of Rwanda total 930 km. By number of neighbours Rwanda ranks #62 among 236 countries and territories.

Rwanda shares land borders with 4 countries: Burundi (315 km), Tanzania (222 km), DR Congo (221 km) and Uganda (172 km).

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Country

Neighbouring countries (#62 of 236)

930 km

Total land borders

None

Landlocked — no coastline

26,338

Area in km²

Rwanda
Neighbouring countries
Neighbours of neighbours

Countries bordering Rwanda

Neighbour	Border length	Capital	Visa for Rwanda citizens
Burundi	315 km	Gitega	Visa on arrival
Tanzania	222 km	Dodoma	Visa-free
DR Congo	221 km	Kinshasa	eVisa
Uganda	172 km	Kampala	Visa-free

Burundi accounts for 34% of Rwanda's 930 km of land borders. Lengths: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

Geography of Rwanda

Location

Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi

Area

26,338 km² — slightly smaller than Maryland

Terrain

Mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east

Climate

Temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Highest and lowest points

Highest: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m. Lowest: Rusizi River 950 m. Mean elevation: 1598 m.

Natural resources

Gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Natural hazards

Periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano

Good to know

Landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged, with the population predominantly rural

Neighbours of Rwanda's neighbours

Countries one border further away — reachable overland through a neighbouring country.

Also with 4 neighbours in Africa

Frequently asked questions about the borders of Rwanda

How many countries border Rwanda?

Rwanda shares land borders with 4 countries: Burundi (315 km), Tanzania (222 km), DR Congo (221 km) and Uganda (172 km).

Which is the longest border of Rwanda?

The longest land border of Rwanda is with Burundi (315 km); the shortest is with Uganda (172 km).

Is Rwanda landlocked?

Yes. Rwanda has no coastline and is one of the world's landlocked countries, so all its trade by land passes through Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo and Uganda.

How long are the land borders of Rwanda?

The land borders of Rwanda total 930 km. By number of neighbours Rwanda ranks #62 among 236 countries and territories.

Do Rwanda citizens need a visa for neighbouring countries?

Rwanda citizens can visit 2 of 4 neighbouring countries visa-free: Tanzania and Uganda.

What is the highest point of Rwanda?

Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m. The lowest point is Rusizi River 950 m.

Borders and geography: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Visa rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0).