Lake KIVU rwanda

Uncover the Mysterious Secrets of Lake Kivu!

Lake Kivu - A Must visit destination in Rwanda.

Lake Kivu in Rwanda ranks among Africa’s largest lakes. It lies near the Congo-Rwanda border, within the Albertine Western Rift, part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu drains into the Ruzizi River, which then empties into Lake Tanganyika. Surrounded by tall, green hills, it resembles a lovely inland sea. Three towns—Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu—encircle its coastlines, offering perfect spots for relaxing, swimming, or taking a boat excursion to the little lakeside villages that provide a pleasant view of rural life.

Lake Kivu boasts the world’s tenth-largest inland island. Villages along its shores include Kalehe, Bukavu, Kabare, Sake, and Goma in DRC Congo, as well as Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu in Rwanda. The lake supports a variety of fish species, including Clarias, Barbus, Haplochromis, and Nile Tilapia. Kibuye offers opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, as well as speedboat and canoe sailing, mountain treks, and picnics.

Gorgeous homes line the tree-lined shore and a beautiful white sandy beach highlights Kivu’s clean waters. Gisenyi, the most developed of these resorts, sits less than an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park, home to the rare mountain gorillas. Nestled on a sandy beach bordered by swaying palms and colonial-era hotels, Gisenyi emits a sense of tropical languor.

To the south, in Kibuye, tourist activities center around a modern lakeside hotel with views of pine-covered slopes that seem transplanted from the Alps. Cyangugu, next to Nyungwe Forest (Nyungwe National Park since 2005), offers a captivating environment of twisting inlets, compensating for its more muted tourism development.

Winding through narrow valleys, Lake Kivu is the largest of several freshwater lakes that glisten amid Rwanda’s lowlands. Nearby, Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, close to the gorilla tracking center of Ruhengeri, remain often overlooked treasures. These deep blue lakes are bordered by steep slopes and large waterfalls, with the adjacent Virunga Volcanoes providing a stunning backdrop.

Besides being a tourist attraction, Lake Kivu contains around 55 billion cubic meters of liquid methane gas at a depth of 300 meters (about 1,000 ft). Until 2004, modest-scale gas extraction powered boilers at the Bralirwa brewery in Gisenyi. The Rwandan government is negotiating with several parties for large-scale methane extraction from the lake.

Exploring Lake Kivu and Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Given the close proximity between Gisenyi and Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, visitors can easily combine a visit to Lake Kivu with gorilla trekking. Gisenyi is only an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park, making it convenient to track gorillas in the morning and then drive to Gisenyi for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu offers marvelous scenic views of the surrounding islands and hosts a large variety of bird species, making it an excellent spot for bird-watching tours. Additional activities around Lake Kivu include guided nature walks, cycling, and coffee and tea tours. Visitors can also relax and unwind on the lake’s beaches, sipping a cold cocktail while enjoying the serene environment.

Exploring Lake Kivu alongside Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Lake Kivu in Rwanda can also be accessed from Kibuye town, which is in close proximity to Nyungwe Forest National Park. This proximity allows visitors to easily combine a trip to Lake Kivu with a chimpanzee trekking tour in Nyungwe National Park. After tracking chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest or Cyamudongo Forest, you can drive approximately 2½ hours to Kibuye on Lake Kivu. Here, you can explore the picturesque islands of Lake Kivu and visit nearby tea plantations. In Nyungwe Forest National Park, other activities include canopy walks, hiking, nature walks, and birdwatching, among others.

Nearby Towns Around Lake Kivu

Gisenyi

Gisenyi, formerly known as Kisenyi, is situated in Rwanda’s Western Province within the Rubavu region. It borders Goma, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along the shores of Lake Kivu. The city is renowned for its resort area featuring multiple hotels and three sandy beaches, making water activities popular in the region. The northern coast of the lake, where Goma and Gisenyi are located, features a flat plain with lava deposits from Mount Nyiragongo’s eruptions.

Located in the northeast corner of the lake near foothills, Gisenyi experiences low-density growth, strategically shielded from potential future eruptions. Notably, Gisenyi is home to Bralirwa, a brewery producing a variety of local beers like Primus, Mützig, Amstel, Guinness, and Coca-Cola-branded soft drinks. Gisenyi is a rapidly developing town, evidenced by the construction of a new multi-storey shopping complex over an old bus station in 2011. By 2011, most main roads were paved, and sidewalks were nearing completion across the majority of the town.

Kibuye Town

Kibuye is a town located on the western shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, offering spectacular views of the lake and serving as a notable stopover along the Congo Nile Trail. This popular hiking and biking trail stretches from Gisenyi to Kamembe. Visitors can also explore Ndaba Falls, situated near the town.

Karongi Town

Karongi is perhaps Rwanda’s most sought-after destination for beach vacations, attracting families from across the country. Its stunning panoramas, tranquil environment, and easy accessibility from Kigali make it a favored spot. The shores of Lake Kivu are adorned with hills covered in pine and eucalyptus trees, offering accommodations suited to various budgets. At dawn and dusk, the gentle sounds of local fishermen paddling in tandem over the lake provide a serene backdrop.

Karongi is an ideal place for relaxation, where one can unwind with a good book while observing birds or witnessing the changing colors of the lake as the sun sets. Active visitors can rent kayaks from several hotels or take boats to Napoleon’s Island, known for its fruit bat colony, or to restaurants on Amahoro Island. For a unique experience of Rwandan daily life, visitors can join villagers in night fishing or kayak outings under the twilight sky.

Gallery

Latest Insights

More Destinations

Safari packages

9 Days Uganda Culture and Gorilla Safari

This 9 days Uganda culture and gorilla safari will offer you two prime experiences of Uganda i.e. mountain gorilla trekking and community engagement.

5 Days Uganda wildlife Tour

The 5 days Uganda Wildlife Tour offers an immersive experience in the diverse ecosystems and captivating wildlife of Uganda. From thrilling game drives to unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas, this safari promises adventure and discovery amidst the natural beauty of the Pearl of Africa.