Burera and Ruhondo sit side by side below the Virunga volcanoes, a short drive from Musanze. Separated by a narrow ridge, they are quiet lakes with steep, terraced shores, small islands and fishing villages. There is no big game here, just still water and wide views.
Most of our guests visit on a spare afternoon between gorilla and golden monkey treks. A canoe or boat trip across Ruhondo, a walk along the terraces, or a picnic lunch looking back at Muhabura and Gahinga make a gentle, peaceful break. It is one of the easiest ways to see rural Rwanda at its prettiest.
Birds are the main wildlife, with kingfishers, cormorants, herons and fish eagles along the shores.
Both lakes are long and narrow, with steep, green terraced slopes rising from the water and small islands scattered across them. On clear days, the Virunga volcanoes line the northern horizon. Burera is the larger and higher of the two, with Ruhondo just below it to the south.
Activities here
The lakes lie at high altitude near the volcanoes, so days are mild, around 18 to 24°C, and evenings cool. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains from October to November, with afternoon showers possible at other times.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23 | 12 | 100 |
| Feb | 23 | 12 | 100 |
| Mar | 22 | 12 | 140 |
| Apr | 22 | 12 | 190 |
| May | 22 | 12 | 130 |
| Jun | 22 | 11 | 30 |
| Jul | 22 | 10 | 20 |
| Aug | 22 | 11 | 40 |
| Sep | 22 | 11 | 90 |
| Oct | 22 | 11 | 140 |
| Nov | 22 | 12 | 150 |
| Dec | 22 | 12 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
The dry months, June to September and December to February, bring the clearest views of the volcanoes and the calmest water. Afternoons are usually the best time to be on the lake.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
The lakes are about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Musanze, and about 2.5 to 3 hours from Kigali. Most visitors come as a half-day or day trip from a lodge near the Volcanoes.
No permit is needed to visit the lakes. Please see the Rwanda page for visa details.
The lakes lie at around 1,800 metres, with cool evenings. Drink bottled or filtered water, and do not swim in the lakes unless your lodge advises it.
National ParkVolcanoes National ParkMountain gorillas in the Virungas
National ParkNyungwe National ParkChimpanzees and the canopy walkway
National ParkAkagera National ParkRwanda’s Big Five savannah
National ParkGishwati-Mukura National ParkRwanda’s restored rainforest
Lake & IslandsLake KivuLakeshore rest between treksOur take
“A gentle afternoon”
We think of the Twin Lakes as a reward after a long gorilla trek. A slow canoe trip on Ruhondo in the afternoon light, with the volcanoes behind you, is about as peaceful as Rwanda gets. Our guides can bring a picnic and arrange a local boatman, so all you need to do is sit back.
Safaris from
US$179 per person
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