Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is one of the Great Lakes of Africa. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and extends to the (western) Rift, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.

Lake Kivu is one of the Great Lakes of Africa. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and extends to the (western) Rift, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. The Lake Kivu tourist route lies along the western Rwandan border, and the three sites of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi warmly welcome the tourists. From Gisenyi, you have a free panoramic sight of the volcano chains that make up the Rwanda National Volcano Park and the Virunga Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lake Kivu attracts tourists in the following ways: The shores of Lake Kivu are beautiful on the boarder with the DRC. People can combine gorilla trekking with Gisenyi town as it is located at 1h30 driving from Kinigi.

This town offers many adventure activities:

  • Staying at leisure on the beige sand of the beach.
  • Visiting Amashyuza hot springs together with a tour of BRALIRWA (a beer factory)
  • Boat riding with a picnic lunch on a small island.
  • Passing the boarder with DRC to visit Goma and see how it has been destroyed by the 2002 volcano activity.

For those who have time, they should drive south and arrive at Kibuye after 4 hours of an unpaved road which passes thorough out typical African villages surrounded by patchworks of banana plantations, tea and coffee fields.

Kibuye is the right destination for those who wish to relax quietly with only birds and the lake to break the silence. No beige sand beach on this side of Kivu but wild costs and stony hills of cypress forests. This is a magic place for bike riding lovers as they should ride around the lake or on hills but still having the lake in their view. Don’t miss the mornings and evenings around the lake. Many activities are organized: boat riding, islands tours, beach volley ball at Amahoro Island and so on. From Kibuye, people drive to Cyangugu and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake shores captured between hills. From Cyangugu, visiting lake Kivu can be combined with Nyungwe primary forest.