Lake Kivu, the true adventure capital for Rwanda of Rwanda. Situated between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe forest National Park lies one of the great lakes of East Africa, situated between Congo (Kinshasa) to the west and Rwanda to the East. Lying at 4,790 feet (1,460 m) above sea level, it occupies 1,040 square miles (2,700 square km) and is 55 miles (90 km) long (north-south) and 30 miles wide (east-west). From an average depth of 722 feet (220 m), it plunges to a maximum of 1,558 feet (475 m). This lake is truly any adventure area to relax your tired legs after gorilla trekking or after a forest nature walk at Nyungwe forest National Park. When you are planning a trip to Nyungwe Forest National park for canopy walk experience or chimpanzee experience, you can also have a boat trip in Lake kivu on your way back to Kigali.
Blessed with numerous islands, this has made a boat trip in Lake Kivu, such a lovely one as you take a boat ride to visit these wonderful islands hidden within the heart of this great lake. Lake Kivu is one of the most visited Lakes in Rwanda.
It is a beautiful place where the color of sea and sky are often so close that it is impossible to discern a horizon.
A visit at Gisenyi, a site at showers of Lake Kivu, will color your evening stay as, you feast on the fish caught fresh by the night fishermen.
When you so happen to be there on a safari on Monday, you will have an experience of landing yourself on a market day were homegrown bananas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, chard, and small, silvery fish called sambaza that made deliciously salty snacks when fried.
The sambaza were caught by the night fishermen who paddled out just before sunset every day, chanting and singing to keep their oars in sync until they found their spot and shone flashlights on the water to attract the bugs that attracted the fish.
Women carried loads of laundry on their heads from the village down to one of several beaches to wash in the lake, and on the same beaches, teenagers bathed in raucous groups. This would be an exciting experience as you mix with the local and see their day to day life.
Lake Kivu is full of promise for Rwanda’s future, as it has started to draw thousands and thousands of tourists, who visit the lake for water spot adventure, or to seat at the hotels and relax as they watch local fishermen do their job in the late afternoon as you gaze at the sun as it disappears.
Here, visitors can relax, swim, or take a boat excursion past the small lakeside villages that offer a rewarding glimpse of rural life. The towns are connected by a wide roller-coaster road that tumbles through lush plantain fields and relic patches of misty rainforest to offer sweeping views over the shimmering lake.
Due to its past dirty history of being a dumping ground for dead bodies of victims of genocide, many tourists takes their time to come and visit this great lake.
The beaches at Gisenyi, has also attracted a number of local tourists especially on holidays and weekend, who do come his to enjoy beach life.
Rubavu (also known as Gisenyi) is a waterfront town located on the shores of Lake Kivu, one Africa’s great bodies of water. At only an hour away from Volcanoes National Park, Rubavu is a great way to unwind after trekking adventures.
Some hotels have private beaches and water sport options.
Rubavu marks the beginning of the Congo Nile Trail, which extends 227 km to Rusizi, and has plenty of biking and hiking trails to fulfill those who crave the some more adventure. Rubavu is also known for its agrotourism experiences, with many tea and coffee plantations nearby.
Driving north from Gisenyi (Rubavu), the Imbabazi Orphanage founded by American Rosamund Halsey Carr, is a beautiful memorial to a remarkable lady.
On returning to Rwanda after the genocide at the age of 82, she transformed her ransacked house into an orphanage for survivors and over 400 orphans have since called this place home. Sitting among colourful gardens, the house looks like an English country cottage, complete with an aging Labrador.
Imbabazi is planning to develop a cultural centre in Carr’s memory and runs a variety of projects for local people, continuing to support its former orphans.
Your driver/guide will need to contact the orphanage beforehand should you like to visit.
Kibuye (Karongi)
About 100km south of Gisenyi, Kibuye (also known by its new name Karongi) is probably the prettiest of Lake Kivu’s towns.
It’s a verdant, tropical spot surrounded by hills covered in eucalyptus and pine. If you’re visiting in August, you may catch thousands of yellow-billed kites here flying over Lake Kivu on their annual migration.
Most of Kibuye’s hotels are in beautiful locations overlooking the lake and facing the sunset.
From Kibuye (Karongi) you can take boat trips on Lake Kivu to nearby islands: Napoleon Island with its colony of fruit bats and Amahoro Island (aptly known as “One bar island” because all it has on it is one bar).
It’s also possible to visit Kibuye’s genocide memorial church, with brightly coloured stained-glass windows, in a quiet location on a hill above Lake Kivu.
Despite a tragic history, it’s a place for peaceful contemplation.
If you’re looking for a fun outdoors activity, try kayaking on Lake Kivu or canoeing near the gorillas, this will total kill your boredom and color your evening.
On Lake Kivu, short excursions from Gisenyi and Kibuye as well as full-day and overnight journeys that are an exciting way to discover some of the most spectacular scenery island within this great lake. And near Musanze, in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, you can spend a morning or afternoon canoeing though some of the most beautiful countryside in Rwanda.
No need to worry about experience of the activity, there are several experience guides to take you through the entire activity to make your visit a memorable one.
For more information or bookings, for this to be part of your gorilla trip, do not hesitate to contact our reservation team at Book Now or visit our website at www.rwandaecocompany.com for more safari options.