Lake Kivu is a beautiful lake located in western Rwanda and shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has lovely beaches, great tropical weather and stunning scenery. The lake is perfect for relaxing during your safari in Rwanda. Some activities you can enjoy at Lake Kivu include sunbathing, swimming and water sports like kayaking, windsurfing and canoeing.
You can visit Lake Kivu as part of your Rwanda safari trip or just for a weekend getaway if you live and work in Rwanda. The lake is a breathtaking inland sea surrounded by steep, green hills and islands. It is easy to reach from Kigali and all the national parks like Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park. This makes Lake Kivu an ideal stop while exploring Rwanda.
Lake Kivu covers much of the western border of Rwanda. The main tourist areas are Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu which are all located along the lake’s shores.
Level of development at Lake Kivu
Gisenyi is the most developed area for tourism. It is less than an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park and about 2.5 hours from Kigali. Gisenyi is set on a sandy beach lined with palm trees and colonial-era hotels. You can find both luxury and budget hotels here.
Kibuye is located between Gisenyi and Cyangugu in the middle along the shores of Lake Kivu. Tourist activities here are centered around a modern lake-shore guesthouse that overlooks pine-covered hills. You can also take boat trips from Kibuye to Gisenyi.
Cyangugu is the least developed for tourism. It is different from Gisenyi and Kibuye being closest to Nyungwe Forest. Cyangugu offers great community interactions and beautiful views of Congo. However, lake activities are limited here mainly involving the fishermen.
When you meet the people living on the shores of Lake Kivu, you will see how relaxed and easy-going they are. They truly embody the phrase “Hakuna matata” which means “no worries”. Fishermen use dugout canoes to set their nets for catching fish. These fish are sold to hotels and restaurants in town, some are taken to Kigali, and some are smoked by women on the shores for local consumption. You can take a boat ride in the traditional dugout canoes, listen to the fishermen’s stories and even join in the fishing.
The lake area is full of water birds like pelicans, grey crowned cranes, pied kingfishers and malachite kingfishers. These birds can be seen sailing and flying above the shore looking for their next meal.
Main Activities to do at Lake Kivu
Fishing and Swimming
The main activities around Lake Kivu include fishing as the lake has over 28 recorded fish species. The beaches are free and safe for swimming, with no crocodiles, hippos or bilharzia. This makes it a perfect spot to swim and enjoy the African safari experience fully.
Hiking and Cycling
Lake Kivu is also a great place for hiking and biking along the shores. You can take boat trips on the lake which offer spectacular views of the land of a thousand hills and numerous water birds along the shoreline. One popular boat trip is to Nyamirundi Island where you can visit a coffee plantation and learn about the coffee processing procedures.
Visiting the Imbabazi Orphanage
In Gisenyi, you can find the Imbabazi Orphanage. This orphanage was established to help the orphans of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Visiting the Imbabazi Orphanage and making a small donation can add a meaningful experience to your trip to Rwanda in particular and Africa in general.
Lake Kivu is one of the biggest attractions in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It provides a relaxing break from the various tour activities you might do in the region.
Overall, Lake Kivu is a wonderful place to visit whether you are on a safari or just want to relax for the weekend. The lake’s beautiful scenery, friendly people and variety of activities make it a great destination in Rwanda.
Best time to Visit Lake Kivu
The best time to visit Lake Kivu located on Rwanda’s western border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is during the dry seasons. The hottest months from June through August to October are ideal for visiting the beautiful lake. During these months, the weather is cool and sunny with temperatures ranging between 15 to 27 degrees Celsius. However, Lake Kivu is a great destination to visit any time of the year depending on your travel interests.
How to Get to Lake Kivu
You can reach Lake Kivu by plane or by road from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. By road, it takes about 3 hours to drive from Kigali to Lake Kivu on a well-paved route. You can also access Lake Kivu through the cities of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu.
Public transportation is available from Kigali city. You can take a bus from Kigali to Kibuye, Cyangugu or Gisenyi. Buses from these towns to Lake Kivu run regularly.
By air, tourists can reach Lake Kivu through chartered aircraft from Kigali’s international airport. You can take a chartered flight from Kigali to Gisenyi airport. From there, you can get to Lake Kivu by either public or private transfers depending on your travel package.
Where to Stay at Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu offers many accommodation options most of which are beautifully located on the lake’s beaches providing excellent panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings. The accommodations range from luxury to midrange and standard, all featuring impressive scenic views and a calm atmosphere. Here are some of the recommended accommodations at Lake Kivu:
Kivu Paradise Resort
Located in Gisenyi, this luxury hotel is a great option for a moderate hideaway while visiting Lake Kivu. The resort has a tranquil environment on the beaches of Lake Kivu with beautiful grounds and stunning views of the lake. The rooms are distinctively furnished with traditional woods, art and crafts combined with modern comforts, making your stay both rustic and enjoyable.
Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel
This recently established standard hotel overlooks the beautiful Lake Kivu from the hillside, offering privacy. It is perfect for those who want to experience the charm of Lake Kivu and its beautiful vistas from every part of the hotel. The hotel has 18 rooms, divided into three categories: Apartment, Villa and King Suite. Each room is child-friendly and equipped with air conditioning, a telephone and other amenities.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
This luxury hotel is situated on the beaches of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi/Rubavu featuring a wonderful private beach area. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers a luxurious and incomparable experience with warm and superb services ensuring a pleasant stay during your Rwanda beach holiday. The hotel has several large superior and family rooms as well as executive suites, all furnished with rich and comfortable furnishings to make your stay blissful.
Our Rwanda Top Safari Packages
7 day rwanda gorilla
This 7-day safari in Rwanda and Uganda offers a tonne of interesting tourisit activities. This package is perfect for anyone interested in golden monkey trekking, a genuine wildlife safari in Rwanda, a top tourist destination, and gorilla tracking in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest.
| Trip details |
| Contact Us |
7 Day Rwanda Wildlife Safari
Experience the ultimate combination of two worlds on this 7-day gorilla tracking tour to Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll get up close and personal with gorillas; Akagera National Park, where you’ll go on thrilling game drives; and Nyungwe Forest
| Trip details |
| Contact Us |
3 day gorilla safari
The 3 days Rwanda gorilla Tour takes you through the Kigali, for the city tour to Volcanoes national park where you will have a lifetime experience, visiting the mountain gorillas and live you with a memorable experience from the unforgettable photos and videos you will take
| Trip details |
| Contact Us |