Bustling, charismatic, clean and colorful, expect a warm welcome as you stroll along the tree-lined streets of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. Great for a night before you explore the country further, visit the moving Genocide Memorial, uncover the city’s exciting art and craft scene, join a Rwandan coffee master class, or head out of the centre to the surrounding hills for scenic hikes.
The country is home to some of Africa’s most famous properties frequently visited by celebrities and based in some of the most breath-taking surroundings.
Typically, Rwanda hotels and accommodation comes with all the high end services that you would expect from a high-end, luxury lodges and camps. Depending on the lodge, this can mean anything from private plunge pools, to personal butler service, to extremely spacious suites with unrivalled views.
If you’re after a more authentic experience at your camp or lodge, speak to your experienced travel consultant who can hand-select the right properties for your tours in Rwanda. Typically, no matter where you stay, the focus is ultimately getting out into nature and exploring the beautiful ecosystems that surround you.
Lake Kivu is located on the western edge of Rwanda, approximately an hour drive from the Parc National des Volcano, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kigali, and a four-hour drive from Nyungwe Forest National Park.
There are three main towns along the Lake shore – Gisenyi (Rubavu), Kibuye (Karongi) and Cyangugu (Rusizi). The towns are approximately three to four hours’ drive from each other.
Around Lake Kivu you will find long stretches of palm-fringed sandy beaches, dotted with friendly fishing villages, making it the perfect place to relax after your gorilla or chimpanzee trekking adventures.
There are no hippos or crocodiles in the lake, so you can safely swim here and you can also enjoy water-based activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, water-skiing, jet-skiing and windsurfing.
There are numerous activities to take part in during a stay at Lake Kivu, including guided kayaking trips from Gisenyi and Kibuye, excursions to the nearby coffee plantations, hiking through banana groves, rain forest and woodlands, mountain biking though the lush green hills, visits to local communities to gain an insight into rural life and Rwandan culture, boat trips to Napoleon Island to seek out the colony of bats, and bird watching trips to spot the kingfishers, pelicans and cranes and other bird species which can be seen along the shores of Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu is a year-round destination, however the best time to visit is during the long dry season from June to September and the short dry season from mid-December to mid-February.
During these months the weather is perfect for sunbathing on the sandy beaches, swimming in the lake, or enjoying water-based activities including kayaking and boat excursions. The dry months also offer ideal conditions for hiking and mountain biking in the lush hills.
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