After all the adventurous experiences in the three national parks of volcanoes national park, Akagera national park and Nyungwe national park of Rwanda, an enroute relaxation tour at Lake Kivu is one of the most fascinating activities that one shouldn’t miss on their safari in Rwanda.
Lake Kivu is located in western Rwanda bordering Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the largest lake in Rwanda with an area of 2700 sq.km, a length of 70km and a width of 50km approximately.
It is also among the African great lakes located in the Albertine rift on the western side of Rwanda. This lake pours its fresh waters southwards into River Ruzizi in Burundi that also empties into Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania.
This lake is well known for its stable tide and diverse attractions that have enabled a number of economic activities to take place around and on the lake. Lake Kivu is neighbored by the towns of Kibuye, Cyangugu, Gisenyi in Rwanda and Bukavu, Goma, Sake, Kalehe and Kabera for Democratic republic of Congo.
Lake Kivu is an ideal place for relaxation and contemplation for tourists on a Rwanda safari, for it is engaged with numerous fun activities and attractions that anyone can enjoy.
Attractions and things to do at and nearby the lake include the following; –
Idjwi Island: This is the tenth largest island in the world and the second largest in Africa. This Island is the sub Kivu Island in the territories of Democratic republic of Congo. It is found in the Virunga ranges, a boat trip to this island and an interaction with the local fishermen is truly worth an encounter on every Rwanda safari.
Imbabazi orphanage: This orphanage was established in 1994 by an American woman called Rosamond Carr. This was constructed predominantly to accommodate the orphans that survived the Rwanda genocide, but later other orphans were admitted. It is a home to over 100 orphans, the Imbabazi orphanage take care of the children and it also helps to reunite them with their family members. A visit to this home of hope can surely be humbling and rewarding.
Kibuye genocide memorial center: This memorial site is near a church in Kibuye where a great massacre slaughter took place during the genocide time. This place has a number of physical presentations of the remains of people during the genocide era. A tour around this place gives a lifetime experience as one gets to know about the Rwanda history.
Napoleon Island: Interestingly, this island was named after Napoleon Bonaparte because the island is shaped like the hat of Bonaparte. This island has numerous fauna for example the African giant millipedes, Colony of bats and numerous water birds.
Hot springs: Lake Kivu neighbors a number of hot springs that a traveler can visit and see, for example Kinigi hot springs, Cyangugu hot springs, Nyamumba hot springs and Gisenyi hot springs. Besides historical attractions at Lake Kivu, there are number of adventurous activities one can enjoy while on their tour around the land of thousand hills. These include; –
Swimming: The fact that Lake Kivu is a fresh water body with clear water and free from dangerous animal creatures, this makes it ideal for swimmers to enjoy a drop in the smooth clear waters of Lake Kivu.
Boat cruise: A boat cruise on Lake Kivu is another fanatic activity that one enjoys while on the waves of this lake. This cruise gives an opportunity to view Rwanda’s aquatic beauty. A chat with the fishermen and visiting the different islands on the lake can be rewarding.
Hiking and biking: Lake Kivu has beautiful white sand shore and engaging surroundings that are ideal for a hike and biking around the lake shores of Kivu.
Sport fishing: This is another interesting activity at Lake Kivu with a huge number of fish species that can be caught, this is a joyous activity. Fish species that can be got include the long fin tilapia, Nile tilapia, blue spotted tilapia, Redbreast tilapia and many more.
Birding: For bird lovers, Lake Kivu is a good place for bird watching with numerous bird species, for example the African wood pecker, African kingfisher, yellow billed stock, speckled pigeons, ashy fly cater, scared ibis, knobs billed duck and so much more.
With the beautiful diverse attractions in Rwanda, Lake Kivu is among the must see on your Rwanda safari for a relaxing and rewinding experience like no other, especially during a Lake Kivu Boat Safari.
