Lake & Leisure · Rwanda
Lake Kivu
One of Africa's Great Lakes — a thousand emerald hills sliding into calm blue water, with lakeside towns made for slowing down.
One of Africa's Great Lakes — a thousand emerald hills sliding into calm blue water, with lakeside towns made for slowing down.
Kivu's shoreline unrolls in beaches, coves and misty headlands for nearly 90 kilometres. Swim in bilharzia-free waters, kayak to island monasteries, and watch night fishermen sing their boats out at dusk in perfect three-boat formations.
Gisenyi's palm-lined promenade and Kibuye's hillside terraces are made for long lunches and longer sunsets.
Plan This Experience
Tour a lakeside washing station and taste Rwanda's world-famous bourbon coffee metres from where it grew. Boat to Napoleon Island's fruit-bat colonies, then walk or cycle a stretch of the Congo Nile Trail through banana groves and fishing villages.
Kivu is the exhale after gorilla trekking — plan at least two nights.
Plan This Experience
Everything you need to know before you go — timed and tailored by our local experts.
Sunny lake days, calm water and perfect trail conditions.
Beautiful swimming weather and vivid green hills.
Kivu works year-round as the restful finale to any Rwanda itinerary.
One of the rare African Great Lakes that's bilharzia- and hippo-free.
Taste bourbon arabica at the washing station where it was grown.
Paddle at sunrise, island-hop by afternoon, bonfire by night.
Africa's loveliest lakeside walking and cycling route.
After the gorillas raise your heartbeat, Kivu lowers it again — gently, beautifully. We'll make you enjoy every bit of it.
Four of our favourite journeys through this destination — every one fully customisable.
3 Days
5 Days
4 Days
21 Days