Lake Kivu

• Beautiful 2,650 freshwater expanse
• Attractive lakeside resort towns
• Perfect tourist transit points

Set amid the dramatic mountains of the rift valley and the volcanic Virungas to the north, the irregular shores of Lake Kivu form numerous inlets and peninsulas and myriad forest-fringed waterfalls. The lake is a 2650 square kilometre freshwater expanse and the largest of all the lakes that fill the valleys of Rwanda.

The beautiful lake is enclosed by the steep terraced hills that are characteristic of rural Rwanda and sitting on its shores are the three lakeside towns of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi; the perfect tourist transit points between the Chimpanzee tracking destination of Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south, and gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans in the north.

Discovering these three colourful lakeside resort towns, pursuing the various water sports they have to offer, and boating to the numerous islands on the lake are just some of the activities available in the area. 

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. A charter boat service on the lake connecting the three towns is also available.

Birdlife around the lakes is fantastic including large numbers of pelicans, crowned cranes, malachite kingfishers and much more.

Special features included:

• Lakes Burera and Ruhondo: close to the gorilla tracking centre of Ruhengeri, are oft-neglected gems: deep blue waters ringed by steep hills and tall waterfalls, with the outlines of the nearby Virunga Volcanoes providing a spectacular backdrop. Further south, Lake Muhazi makes for a good day trip from Kigali, with overnight camping available.