Lake Kivu is like no other beach and leisure holiday destination in Rwanda. You’ll find some of the finest tropical beaches set in a scenic landscape. One of the freshwater lakes strategically located west of Rwanda in the Albertine rift valley and the Virunga volcanoes, it gives the lake a very special atmosphere, and friendly weather with fine white sand beaches, resort towns like Gisenyi, set against shade giving palm trees, like a series of hot springs spread around its coastline in Nyambyumba and Bugarama.
The 180 journey from Kigali city to Lake Kivu can be covered with a 3 hours drive on good tarmac roads. Very convenient Costa-buses, taxis operate hour to hour between Gisenyi and Kigali.
A trip to lake Kivu can combine safaris to Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking as well as chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest national park.
Regarded as an inland sea in the landlocked Rwanda, Lake Kivu waters are crystal clear, calm without the danger of bilharzias infection or hippos and crocodile attacks which makes it ideal for swimming. A trip to Lake Kivu is a must, in fact its where most Rwandan expats go to have fun, relax, chill and spend the weekend holidays. Without the crowds, it comes to life at sunset in the resort town of Gisenyi becoming Rwanda’s liveliest spot. With plenty of luxury waterfront resort hotels, restaurants, night clubs for night life and more. What about dining on the fish straight from the lake? The water sports, swimming, kayaking, motor speed boating, sailing, wind surfing, and sport fishing. You can also take an excursion along the lake to explore the local culture including biking the Congo-Nile trail, hiking, nature walks, birding and wildlife viewing as well as coffee tours to Kinunu and Cyimbili stations.
Things to Do and See
Swimming
Swimming is often thought to be one of the visitor’s favorite activities. For good reason in Lake Kivu, there are no crocodiles, hippos or risk of bilharzias infection making it one of the safest lakes in the world.
The water is warm all year round, the sands are sparkling white, and beaches are clean due to the ongoing Rwanda’s efforts to maintain cleanliness and green environment.
Aside from swimming, you can sunbath, watch kayakers, surfers and sailors. If you are looking for a beachfront stay, consider this place one of your happy places to be in Rwanda.
What makes Lake Kivu unique is the recent Rwandan local tourism boom. Beach shops, cafes, meat roasting kiosks, food restaurants, all for visitors, Kivu is a place to settle, relax after gorilla trekking or hiking .
Sea kayaking
Kayak tours on Lake Kivu are more private allowing exploration of wildlife along scenic shorelines since there are no many tourists. Stable sea kayaks are available for hire at Serena hotel in Gisenyi and also in Kibuye for both experienced and inexperienced kayakers.
It’s possible to select for day kayak trips or overnight tours as well as extended four day trips between the towns of Gisenyi and Kibuye. Watch fishing boats leave at sunset, visit some of the uninhabited islands are home to birds and rare plants. Often times, kayaks on Lake Kivu involve a combination of other activities, such as sailing, wind surfing, birding and cycling.
Boat trips
Boat tours including motor speed boats on Lake Kivu help visitors access and hike along the beautiful islands jungle trails such as Idwiji, Bugarama and Nkomo and Napoleon. Also you get easy transportation between Gisenyi, Kibuye as well as border crossing to Goma in eastern DR Congo. During the boat tour you can view wildlife, sunbath, swim, jet-ski and fish. Hire a local guide to help to explain wildlife whilst all necessary equipment and food are frequently provided on board.
Sport fishing
Local fishermen understand fishing grounds, go out with them in their vessels participate or watch how they cast out their nets using petrol lights to attract fish. Anglers look out for the Isambaza and tilapia fish. They’re also offers for family and kids to catch fish of different sizes. From the fishing, trip, you can dine on your catch right from some of the restaurants.
Note, however, you can’t fish in Lake Kivu during September and October because this is the time, fish is allowed to multiply and mature.
Hiking and Biking Trips
There are half or full day bikes, hikes and nature walks as well as multi-day biking. During these guided tours, visit agricultural villages and Imbabazi orphanage center. Located in Gisenyi, the orphanage founded by Rosamond Carr helps out children through farming and education. There are gardens with views of Virunga volcanoes from where to have lunch and listen to the songs of the kids.
Whatever time you have, your trip of interest can be arranged when you contact us.
For the physically fit, biking trips along Lake Kivu and the Congo-Nile trail is an epic adventure. Beginning from Gisenyi on rocky cliffs, you pedal through mountainous roads, pushing across the Congo-Nile divide ridges to Kamembe. You pass through villages, coffee plantations including food and beverage shops along and finally drift back to the lake for relaxation. Several hills can be hiked such as Mt. Karongi and Bisesero hill as well as visit hot springs.
Coffee tours
Rwanda grows some of the best coffee beans in the world. Sadly, however, over the years much of it was being exported. To maximize the value, lovers of coffee and adventure will enjoy half of fun to fulfill your Rwandan coffee experience.
Visitors with interest in learning how coffee is harvested and processed should arrange a half or full day tour to Nyamirundi island, Cyimbili and Kinunu where some of the coffee washing stations can be found. This is another memorable experience, to have a taste of Rwandan Arabia coffee based beverages or buy and take one home. It’s also a way of helping farmers earn income.
In Kigali city are several coffee shops, such as Bourbon café, at Union trade center as well as Camila tea house in Kiyovu and Magda coffee in kacyiru.
For travelers who want to visit DRC, to hike world’s ,most active volcano Mt. Nyiragongo or track lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega national park, visit Goma city, or Virunga national park, it’s easy to cross the border at Gisenyi to Goma city in eastern DRC.
You can drive for 3 hours from Kigali to Gisenyi border, just make sure you have all the documents including DRC visa, valid passport, yellow fever card and rain gears. After you get entry permit and proceed to Goma city while on your safari.