Rwanda’s largest lake, Lake Kivu, is in the western part of the country and is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald, green waters covering Read More
Lake Kivu is located in between the boundary of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and it empties into the Ruzizi River which flows southwards into Tanzania’s Lake Tanganyika. Kivu forms two large fingers, one completely within the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and another one split between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Lake Kivu borders national parks such as Volcanoes National Park which is home to active volcanoes and endangered primates such as mountain gorillas, and Virunga National Park, a thrilling location to witness the wilds of the heart of Africa.
Read MoreLake Kivu offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and picturesque lodges and huts and ports such as Rusizi, Karongi and Rubavu speckle the shoreline.
On the northern edge of the lake lies Rubavu previously known as Gisenyi, a large town lined with fading old mansions, hotels, and trendy bars ideal for sundowner cocktails. It is onehour drive from Volcanoes National Park a perfect place to relax after gorilla tracking.
We have travelled allover Rwanda and tested every possible route to enable us to design itineraries that work absolutely smoothly, covering many of the country’s highlights at just the right pace and timing. Packed with unique experiences and handpicked hotels, our tours deliver unforgettable travel memories.
For adventurous travelers, an exciting way to explore Rwanda is a kayaking tour on Lake Kivu, or mountain biking or hiking one of the Congo Nile Trails.
A short ride on a local boat leads to the islands of Gahinga and Nkobo, both of which support an abundant birdlife.
Main ports on Lake Kivu are most easily reached by road. Rusizi is about 220km southwest of Kigali via Huye and Nyungwe National Park, Karongi is about 135km west of Kigali and Rubavu is 155km northwest via Musanze. A 200km road connects the three main ports to each other, as does a twice weekly ferry service.
There are several accommodations around Lake Kivu, some of which are located inside the park and others in areas surrounding the stunning park. They range from Luxury, Medium and Budget accommodations all offering wonderful services respectively.
Refer to our List of Recommended Accommodations and choose the best.