Lake Kivu is one of the biggest freshwater bodies in East and central Africa. This water body is the best place for swimming because its hippo and bilharzia free.
Lake Kivu is the best place to end your safari because you can swim and lounge on sandy beaches and take a dip in the lake and enjoy a refreshing swim in Lake Kivu.
For most, it is simply a place to relax and chill out, while others take nature walks, go bird watching in a boat or on land, explore some of the islands, the nearby hot springs and more. This lake has three major towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu. These are well-developed towns and attract tourists.
Top Things to Do and See on and around Lake Kivu
1. Relax and Chill out at the shores of Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is the best place to relax and chill out in Rwanda after gorilla tracking once or twice, hiking up Volcanoes, Biking or Hiking the Congo Trail, Chimpanzee Tracking in Nyungwe National Park.
Relaxing and Chilling out along Lake Kivu is the best way to bring your Rwandan Safari to a memorable end.
Lake Kivu is the perfect place to just be instead of doing, the relax, read a book, enjoy the tropical sun, the splendid views of the Lake, the Islands, the Mountains, fishing boats, the smell of the water, the light breeze once again. Lake Kivu the best place to relax and chill out in Rwanda as you will enjoy your time along the shores of Rwanda’s most scenic Lake.
2. Swimming in Lake Kivu
There are many beautiful lakes in East and Central Africa but Lake Kivu is not only a lake where you can relax and chill out, but you can swim in the Lake.
Lake Kivu is a fresh water body that is crocodile free, hippo free and bilharzia free. The water in lake Kivu has a cool temperature and all those who would want to cool down especially on a hot day are free to jump in the lake and relax.
There are beautiful beaches along the lakeshores with fine sand where one can relax in the mild sun after having a great swim in the lake. Better swimming points can be got from the major towns of Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu.
3. A visit to the Imbabazi orphanage
The Imbabazi Orphanage was started by a florist called Rosamond who lived in the Mugongo area. She had a flower garden that supplied flowers to nearby hotels and guesthouses. The orphanage was started in 1994 in Gisenyi and it mainly works with children. It attracts many tourists who come to visit Lake Kivu as well as Rwanda.
During the genocide, the orphanage moved from one place to another due to insecurity reasons however after the genocide in 1994, it was permanently moved back to Gisenyi and at that time the orphanage was home to over 400 orphans.
The orphanage is well structured with beautiful gardens, a restaurant that prepares classic and standard food and also provides great views of the Virunga volcanoes in the background.
4. Hiking and biking along the shores of Lake Kivu
This lake offers good – nature walks and bike rides. This includes taking a walk on the newly developed Nile-Congo Trail where you can hike or bike along – it is a very good experience.
A walk along Lake Kivu exposes you to fresh air from the breeze of the lake. Hiking along the lake is a good exercise that can be enjoyed by tourists after a safari or those on a honeymoon. With great views of the freshwater body, a walk at the shores of the lake with cool breezes from the waves will give you a remarkable and unforgettable experience.
There are hills that you can climb around this lake and coast back down on your bike. Just let us know what you are interested in hiking during your time at the lake and we will arrange it for you.
5. Water sporting activities along Lake Kivu
There are many sport activities on the lake like; water skiing, windsurfing, paddling and enjoying a motorboat on the lake. Fishing is also a common activity on the lake.
Fishing is done on local dugout canoes or using engine boats. Cruising on this fresh water body enables one to discover more of the land of a thousand hills. Excursion boat rides can be made within a few meters of the lake even while having dinner while other longer trips can be made to the major islands in the lake especially the Napoleon and Amahoro island. Relaxing on cruises and water trips on the lake makes one somehow forget about their problems and feel home away from home.