Bukavu

Bukavu is the provincial capital of South Kivu and spreads across five peninsulas along Lake Kivu at roughly 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) elevation. The city sits along the Ruzizi River and marks the border with neighboring Rwanda.

The city was founded in 1901 as a Belgian colonial settlement and was named Costermansville from 1927 to 1953. It developed within the traditional territory of the Bushi Kingdom.

The name comes from the Mashi language and refers to cattle herding, reflecting the farming traditions of the region. This connection to pastoral life remains visible in the surrounding communities and the daily habits of local people.

Visitors can reach the city through Kavumu Airport, located about 30 kilometers to the north, which handles domestic flights. The lake port serves as the gateway for cargo and goods arriving by water.

The urban landscape contains over a hundred art deco buildings from the colonial era, scattered across the shores of Lake Kivu. These architectural remnants form an unexpected layer of European design amid the African setting.

Location: South Kivu

Inception: 1901

Elevation above the sea: 1,498 m

Website: http://mairiedebukavu.net

GPS coordinates: -2.50000,28.86667

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:00