Lake Kivu

What It Is and Where

Kivu sits in the western branch of the Great Rift Valley. It is deep, reaching roughly 480 meters, and most of its waters lie on the Congolese side. Rwanda's main lakeside towns are Rubavu (formerly Gisenyi) in the north, Karongi (formerly Kibuye) midway down, and Rusizi in the south. Visit Rwanda notes there are no hippos or crocodiles, which makes paddling here relaxed.

What You Do There

• Kayaking: guided trips from a couple of hours to two or three days, including sunset paddles with the fishermen who head out singing in the evening.
• Boat trips to small islands, including Napoleon Island near Karongi, home to a colony of straw-colored fruit bats.
• The Congo Nile Trail: 227 kilometers along the lakeshore from Rubavu to Rusizi, in six stages, for hiking or mountain biking.
• Coffee farms and washing stations on the hills and islands around the lake.

When to Go and How Long to Stay

The lake is pleasant year-round, with water temperatures of roughly 23–27°C. The drier months, June to September and December to February, are best for hiking and biking. One or two nights is enough for most travelers, often as a break after gorilla trekking.

Getting There

Rubavu is about an hour's drive from Volcanoes National Park, which makes it the easiest add-on after the gorillas. Karongi and Rusizi sit farther south and connect well with Nyungwe.

Where to Stay on Lake Kivu

Accommodation on Kivu is simpler than at the parks, with lakeside hotels in Rubavu and Karongi. We do not have a Lake Kivu lodge page on the site yet. Tell us what kind of stay you want and we will suggest the right town and hotel.