Rwanda is a land of great diversity and beauty. The twenty-three lake water bodies make it an ideal water sports and fishing destination.
Lake Kivu in the west of the country and Lake Muhazi in the east both offer beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of beautiful islands.
Things To Do
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is stunningly beautiful lake and an incredible place to visit. With no hippos or crocodiles and crystal clear, clean water, it is also one of the safest lakes in Africa.
So come and explore, discover and journey along its interesting coastline. Watch unique fishing boats plying the water and find interesting villages as well as amazing birdlife set amongst true peace and tranquillity.
About Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald green waters. The lake covers a total surface area of 2,700 km and stands at a height of 1,460 meters above sea level. Lake Kivu,between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, is by far the largest. Lake Kivu is like a giant inland sea with some interesting lakeside towns. Kibuye and Gisenyi are a relaxing retreat for swimming, canoeing and water-skiing. About 110km from Kigali, the road to Karongi is paved and in good condition.
Activities
Karongi is one of the most relaxing and romantic places in Rwanda, and is an ideal place to enjoy lakeside recreation. A picturesque lakeside resort town, there are ample beaches with crystal clear water. Along with modern water sport facilities, traditional boats can be used for exciting nature discovery tours and authentic experiences within local Rwandan daily life. Visitors can take boat rides from many of the local hotels visiting Napoleon’s Island (home to a colony of fruit bats) and dine at the Amahoro Island restaurants and even go night fishing with locals
About Location
Adventure awaits at Karongi with opportunities to hike and bike the Congo Nile Trail, visit the Congo Nile Divide watershed, have a taste of the ‘crop to cup’ coffee and tea experiences within the local community, or visit the moving Bisesero Genocide Memorial with breathtaking views of the lake.
About Trip
About three hours drive from Kigali, the road to Gisenyi is also paved and in good condition.
Gisenyi is one of the most relaxing and romantic places in Rwanda, and is an ideal place to enjoy lakeside recreation, Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district in Rwanda’s Western Province. Gisenyi is contiguous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Boat Trips
If you are looking for a variation on the usual safari experience, a boat trip on Lake Ihema will not disappoint. Drift along the forest-fringed lake edge, past huddles of hippo and basking crocodiles. For the serious birder a boat trip is a must. Trips are scheduled four times per day at 7.30am, 9am, 3pm and 4.30pm. Non-scheduled, private, trips can also be arranged at other times
Twin Lakes
Visit the twin lakes in Rwanda Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo in Musanze after or before Rwanda Gorilla trek or Golden monkey trek.
Local activities around the twin lakes
There are a number of community based tours on offer such as village visit, local fishing using traditional methods. A boat trip or a canoe boat can be taken along the water of lake Burera and lake Ruhondo sightseeing
Lake Muhazi
is a long thin shallow lake in the east of Rwanda. The bulk of the lake lies in the Eastern Province, with the western end forming the border between the Northern and Kigali Provinces.
It is a flooded valley lake, lying predominantly in an east to west direction, but with numerous offshoots in a north to south direction, formerly the location of tributaries. The lake has a concrete dam at the western end, constructed in 1999 to replace an earth dam which had existed since time immemorial. The lake empties into the Nyabugogo River, which flows southwards to Kigali where it meets the Nyabarongo River, part of the upper Nile.
Kayaking and Canoeing
If you’re looking for a fun outdoors activity, try kayaking on Lake Kivu or canoeing near the gorillas with Kingfisher Journeys . On Lake Kivu, they organised short excursions from Gisenyi and Kibuye as well as full-day and overnight journeys that are an exciting way to discover some of the most spectacular scenery in Rwanda.