Lake Kivu
- Updated: 1 month ago
- By Webmasters Killasites
Lake Kivu Safaris, Best time to visit & Location
It is easy to consider blending different types of traveling as superfluous. Your imagination will, however, shift the very first time you visit the edge of Lake Kivu. The sight of the lake presents an unforgettable view; the water seamlessly flows in gentle waves as it illuminates like a huge slab of liquid glass. Looking at the distant shore gives the impression that it is merging with the sky.
The sense of tranquillity that accompanies you in Lake Kivu is difficult to put in words. If you came from Kigali’s buzzing city center or the Volcanoes National Park’s dusty roads, the moment you step on the lakefront, time feels like it comes to a standstill. Your breath becomes deeper, and as your shoulders drop, you finally realize the unnecessary tension they were under.
The beauty of Lake Kivu is captured in its ease. Rather than being a lake of spectacle, it is a lake of contentment.
Why Visit Lake Kivu
Surrounded by the long days of safari or the thrilling experiences of gorilla trekking, Lake Kivu offers a superb way to ease into Rwanda’s travel offerings. Considered one of Africa’s Great Lakes, Lake Kivu aligns beautifully with the rhythm of travel in Rwanda.
You can spend a morning serenely gliding along the shoreline on a wooden boat as your guide recounts tales about the formation of the lake. If you are enthused, you might learn that far beneath the surface, there are massive stores of methane gas being painstakingly extracted—something you won’t see but can ponder about while you float.
It is also safe to swim in the lake, and feels like a minor miracle after traveling through regions where every body of water seems to conceal something excessively hostile. Step into the shallows, and the temperature feels almost perfect. It is cool enough to refresh you but warm enough that you won’t flinch.
Along the edges, small towns and villages are huddled around the hills. Gisenyi or Rubavu as it is sometimes called is the most popular stop. It boasts a relaxed vibe that grows on you quickly. You can sit in a café with your toes buried in the sand, watching fishermen in their long canoes heading out as the sun begins to dip behind the mountains.
Cruising is one of the best and most beautiful ways to experience the lake and its sunset. The color of the water as the sun sets is a hue I like to call bronze, the outlines of the hills darken and begin to look like they have been painted. Spending this moment with a loved one makes me want to tuck moments like this into a memory bank.
If you would prefer to stay active, you can also hike to lookout points above the water, kayak along the shore, or even visit the nearby hot springs. However, most visitors to Lake Kivu come here primarily to unwind and allow themselves to relax, take a break, and do virtually nothing.
Best Time to Visit Lake Kivu
The region around lake Kivu has a mild climate year-round, but seemingly has a preferred season from June to September or December to February. During these months, jackted warm days and sunsets that feel clearer become the norms.
On the other hand, June to July has its own appeal. Low-hanging rain showers and a deeper vibrant green color to the hills also have their appeal.
For travelers that don’t mind walking with an umbrella, this gives them flexibility in how they plan their travels.
Lake Kivu Gallery
Lake Kivu Location
Lake Kivu is located on the western border of Rwanda next to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is approximately 56 miles long, which means you can drive along the lakeshore for hours and still feel as though you are discovering it for the first time.
In the northern part, Gisenyi is the biggest town and serves as the best starting point to navigate the lake. Further south, one can find Kibuye (also known as Karongi) and Cyangugu (also known as Rusizi). These towns have distinct characteristics; Gisenyi is chilled and somewhat cosmopolitan, Kibuye is more intimate and quieter, while Cyangugu is near the Nyungwe Forest for those looking to combine the lake with rainforest hikes.
How to get to Lake Kivu
For most visitors, Kigali is the starting point. The drive to Gisenyi takes approximately three to four hours, depending on traffic as well as the number of stops made to admire the view. Along the way, one gets glimpses of lush green tea plantations and small villages, children waving from the roadside.
To go to Kibuye, it is closer, about three hours from Kigali. You can hire a private car, arrange a transfer with your hotel, or take a bus if you don’t mind sharing the ride with locals and occasional stops along the way.
Once you’re by the lake, getting around in the smaller towns is easy either by moto-taxi or on foot.
Lake Kivu Accommodations
Looking for something refined or simple don’t matter as there is no shortage of places to stay around Lake Kivu.
You can find a few higher-end hotels in Gisenyi set right on the water. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is popular for its wide stretch of private beach and a pool that feels tranquil at sunrise. The rooms are spacious and there is a long terrace to sip coffee in the morning while the lake wakes up.
If mid range is preferred, Paradise Malahide is a warm welcoming cozzy spot. The thatched bungalows are simple but comfortable and you can listen to the water lapping the shore while sitting outside in the evening
Kibuye has a number of small hotels situated on the hills with balconies that overlook the lake. If you enjoy rising early and watching as fishermen row home, this is a region for you.
Budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels provide basic rooms and meals made to order. Friendliness goes a long way to make up for the lack of polish.
Tips for Your Visit to Lake Kivu
While it is easy to let time escape from your hands, a few pointers can help improve the overall experience.
- Bring sunscreen even when not planning to spend hours in the water. The sun reflects off the water and can be a pleasant surprise.
- Carry a light jacket. Sitting by the lake after dark can cool off quickly.
- Rather than negotiating directly on the beach, consider guided boat tours. Many hotels can arrange guides that know great places to see birds and small islands.
- For swimming, always check local advice for current conditions. Though Lake Kivu is generally safe, caution is wise.
- Be sure to taste the grilled fish from one of the restaurants by the lake. They often pair it with sides of fried potato and rice. The best part is, you can eat it with your hands.
Final Thoughts on Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu doesn’t try to dramatize anything. You won’t find the Big Five or climb a volcano before breakfast. It offers something very different—a space to breathe, and a place to think about how it feels to simply be.
You might find yourself touring the place in kayaks and on foot, or perhaps relaxing on a terrace, shaded from the sun, lost in a book you brought ages ago but never opened. Regardless, the lake gently lightens the burdens you came with.
Your departure won’t involve record-breaking sights, or stories that seem crafted. Instead, you will remember feeling the warm waters, the gentle and quiet morning waves, and most importantly, slowly but surely, letting go.
Lake Kivu invites you to contemplate whether calmness can also be a form of adventure. With a visit, you can explore and discern its secrets for yourself.
