Lake Kivu runs along Rwanda's western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the Great Lakes of the Albertine Rift. Its shores are steep and green, with small bays, wooded islands, fishing villages and coffee farms climbing the hills above the water. It is a place to slow down after the treks, and many of our guests say it is where the trip finally sinks in.
There are three main towns on the Rwandan side. Rubavu, still often called Gisenyi, lies in the north near the Volcanoes, with a sandy beach and a long lakeside promenade. Karongi, once Kibuye, sits midway down the shore among quiet inlets and islands. Rusizi, in the south, is close to Nyungwe. The Congo Nile Trail links them all along the lakeshore.
Days here are simple and unhurried: a boat trip to the islands, a kayak in the bay, a visit to a coffee washing station, and in the evening the fishermen paddling out in their long canoes, singing as they go.
Kivu has no hippos or crocodiles, which is unusual for an African lake. Birdlife is the main interest, with pied and malachite kingfishers, cormorants and fish eagles along the shore. On Napoleon’s Island near Karongi, a large colony of fruit bats roosts in the trees and takes off in a great cloud when disturbed.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
The lake is deep blue and steep-sided, its shores lined with eucalyptus, banana groves and terraced hills. Around Karongi, dozens of small islands and peninsulas break up the water, while at Rubavu the northern shore opens into a wide bay with the Virunga volcanoes behind. Evenings are often clear and golden.
Activities here
Kivu lies at about 1,460 m, and the climate is mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures of around 22 to 27°C and cool evenings. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains from October to November, though even in the wet seasons there is usually plenty of sunshine between showers.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 16 | 90 |
| Feb | 26 | 16 | 100 |
| Mar | 26 | 16 | 130 |
| Apr | 25 | 17 | 150 |
| May | 25 | 17 | 110 |
| Jun | 26 | 16 | 35 |
| Jul | 26 | 15 | 20 |
| Aug | 27 | 16 | 50 |
| Sep | 27 | 16 | 110 |
| Oct | 26 | 16 | 130 |
| Nov | 25 | 16 | 130 |
| Dec | 25 | 16 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
The long dry season runs from June to September, with a shorter, less reliable dry spell from December to February. Days are warm and sunny, around 25 to 27°C, the water is calm for kayaking and boat trips, and evenings on the shore are mild. Views across to the Congo shore can be hazy late in the dry season.
The long rains fall from March to May, with April usually the wettest month, and the short rains from October to November. Storms can build quickly over the lake, usually in the afternoon, and boat trips are planned for the calmer mornings. Between showers there is plenty of sunshine and the terraced hills are very green.
Lake Kivu is lovely all year. The dry months from June to September and December to February give the clearest views and the calmest water for boat trips and kayaking. In the rainy seasons, storms tend to pass quickly, and the hills are at their greenest.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Rubavu is about 3 to 3.5 hours from Kigali by road, or about 1.5 hours from Musanze and the Volcanoes. Karongi is about 3 hours from Kigali. The lakeshore road links Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi, and from Rusizi it is a short drive to Nyungwe. There are scheduled flights from Kigali to Kamembe, near Rusizi.
No permit is needed to visit Lake Kivu. Most visitors can get a Rwandan visa online as an e-visa or on arrival. Please see the Rwanda page for details.
Kivu is widely considered safe for swimming, and the lodges on its shore have their own swimming areas. The lake contains dissolved methane and carbon dioxide deep below the surface, which is safely monitored and extracted for power. It poses no risk to visitors.
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 & IslandsTwin Lakes Burera & RuhondoQuiet lakes below the volcanoesOur take
“Stay for the evening”
We like our guests to be on the water or on a terrace at dusk at least once. That is when the fishermen head out in threes, their canoes lashed together with long eucalyptus poles, and their singing carries across the bay. At Karongi, a short boat ride to Napoleon's Island to see the fruit bats is another favourite. Two nights here, rather than one, makes all the difference.
Safaris from
US$150 per person
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