Lake Kivu, Resorts
Lake Kivu and Its Resort Towns:
Beautifully located amid numerous mountains and steep, green terraced hills, Lake Kivu, the largest lake in Rwanda. It is a veritable inland sea with a surface of 2,650 km2. It is an extraordinarily beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep, green terraced hills along the Congolese border.
The beautiful lake is enclosed by the steep terraced hills that are characteristic of rural Rwanda and sitting on its shores are the three lakeside towns of Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi; the perfect tourist transit points between the Chimpanzee tracking destination of Nyungwe Forest National Park in the south, and gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans in the north.
Lake Kivu is the largest of numerous freshwater bodies that shimmer in the valleys of Rwanda. Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, close to the gorilla tracking centre of Ruhengeri, are oft-neglected gems, deep blue waters ringed by steep hills and tall waterfalls, with the nearby Virunga volcanoes providing a spectacular backdrop.
Attractions and Activities:
Discovering these three colourful lakeside resort towns, pursuing the various water sports they have to offer, and boating to the numerous islands on the lake are just some of the activities available in the area.
Birding:
Birdlife around the lake is fantastic: flotillas of pelicans sail ponderously across the open water, majestic crowned cranes preen their golden crests in the surrounding swamps, while jewel-like malachite kingfishers hawk silently above the shore and much more.
Napoleon’s Hat Island:
This Island is shaped like an old French military hat, offering hiking and hill climbing possibilities. At the foot of the peak, thousands of bats have found their home, darkening the sky when people approach too close.
Away from the main resorts, Lake Kivu offers visitors rewarding glimpses into ancient African lifestyles. Here, fishermen ply the water in dugout canoes unchanged in design for centuries.
Other Activities Include:
- Lake cruises between popular resort towns such as Cyangugu, Kibuye and Gisenyi.
- Boat rides on the lake.
- Nature discovery tours around the many deserted islands with largely unexplored natural attractions.
- Island of Peace: Swimming, relaxing, beach volleyball, eating and drinking, watching the sunset.
- Hot springs near Gisenyi, boiling eggs in the heated waters of the adjacent Lake Kivu.
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