Lake Kivu is located in western Rwanda and is shared with Democratic Republic of Congo with beautiful beaches, great tropical weather, and beautiful scenery. The lake provides the ideal place for rest and recuperation while on your safari in Rwanda. Some of the activities on the lake include, sunbathing, swimming, and water sports like Kayaking, wind surfing & canoeing.
You can visit Lake Kivu as part of your Rwanda safari itinerary or for a weekend if you work and live in Rwanda. It is an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep, green terraced hills and Islands. It is easily accessible from Kigali and all the national parks. Lake Kivu covers most of the western border of Rwanda with main tourist areas being Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangungu, which lie along the lake’s shores.
Top activities to do on Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Africa that does not have any hippos or crocodiles, making it one of the best places to swim in safety as well as enjoying a wide variety of water-based activities.
Sport Fishing
For keen anglers out there, Lake Kivu has some superb fishing. There are nearly 30 different recorded species of fish in the lake and as a reward for your exertions trying to catch them, you’re allowed to keep one fish for yourself, perhaps taking it back to your accommodation where the chef will prepare and cook it to perfection for you to so you can enjoy your spoils over an evening meal and a glass of wine.
Mountain Biking and Hiking
Rwanda, as a whole, has some superb mountain biking and hiking routes, with one of the more famous being the ‘bike packer’ Congo Nile Trail which is around 160 miles long and over five days takes you through some of the most stunning scenery and trails you’ll come cross in Africa. The mountain biking and hiking trails around Lake Kivu are not as long in distance or duration but take you through vibrant local communities and along the beautiful shores of the lake making for great alternative ways to explore the area.