Kibuye Attractions
Kibuye as a destination:
Kibuye is becoming more and more popular with both local and international visitors as it is the most quickly accessible resort town from Kigali. Kibuye is a city in Karongi district, and the capital of West Province in Rwanda. The city lies on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, about halfway down, and between Gisenyi and Cyangugu. It is known as a beach resort and is home to a genocide memorial marking the massacre of the town’s Tutsi population in the Rwandan Civil War.
The landscape around Kibuye is rather unusual and unexpected because numerous hills planted with pines and eucalyptus offer a pristine, almost Alpine and certainly not tropical atmosphere.
Getting to Kibuye:
Kibuye can be accessed by boat or road.
Kibuye is connected by an all weather (tarmac) road to Kigali. The drive Kigali-Gitarama-Kibuye takes two hours and half. The Kibuye - Cyangugu road is corrugated. The drive Kibuye-Cyangugu takes 4 Hours. Likewise the drive Gisenyi-Kibuye road is corrugated and it takes four hours.
You can access Kibuye by boat from Cyangugu or Gisenyi.
Kibuye Major Attractions/ Activities:
Lake Kivu:
Being on the Rwanda/Congo border, Kibuye is home to the beautiful Lake Kivu. The Lake is more like an inland sea - surrounded on all sides by magnificent mountains and looks absolutely amazing with its deep emerald green waters. It covers a total surface area of some 2700 km and stands at a height of 1460 metres above sea level.
Swimming:
Accordingly, the town is one of the most relaxing and romantic places in the country, and definitely an ideal surrounding for a couple of days of lake-side recreation with comfortable resort accommodation and a range of activities on the lake and its many islands. Apart from modern water sport facilities, traditional boats can be used for exciting nature discovery tours and interesting experiences with local life.
Napoleon’s Hat Island:
Major attractions include Napoleon’s Hat Island where thousands of bats darken the sky. 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.
Bisesero Genocide Memorial Site:
This memorial is composed of nine small buildings which represent the nine communes that formerly made up the province of Kibuye. One should remember that this site, where the memorial has been built, is now called “Hill of Resistance” because of the heroic resistance mounted by the people of Bisesero against their assassins.
Accommodation:
Kibuye Guest house:
The Kibuye Guest House is located besides a small beach with great views and idyllic sunsets. Swimming in the lake is safe at Kibuye. Kibuye Guest has boats for hire. Kibuye Guest House is currently closed for renovation.
Hotel Centre Bethanie:
Hotel Centre Bethanie has a beautiful location overlooking the lake. Currently it is the only comfortable property in the area and the demand is very high.
Eden Golf Rock Hotel:
Eden Golf Rock Hotel offers an alternative if you cannot get a room at Bethanie. The Hotel is large overlooking the lake but the rooms are not that great.
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