Exploring Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, forms Rwanda’s western edge with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its calm, bilharzia-free water and sandy shores make it the country’s go-to spot to slow down — especially after the effort of a gorilla trek.

The lakeside towns

• Rubavu (Gisenyi) — the main resort town in the north, with beaches, waterfront hotels and an easy border crossing to Goma.
• Karongi (Kibuye) — quieter, set among green hills and islands mid-lake.
• Rusizi (Cyangugu) — in the south, right next to Nyungwe Forest.

Things to do

• Boat trips to the lake’s islands and to see fishermen singing as they paddle at dusk.
• The Congo Nile Trail — a scenic hiking and cycling route along the shore between Rubavu and Rusizi.
• Swimming, kayaking, or simply unwinding on the beach.

Getting around the lake

The three main towns string down the western shore — Rubavu in the north, Karongi in the middle and Rusizi in the south — linked by a scenic if slow lakeshore road and by boat. Karongi (Kibuye), among its islands and peninsulas, is the quietest and prettiest of the three for simply slowing down.

When to go

The lake is warm and swimmable year-round; the drier months (June–September and December–February) are the most reliable for beach days and boat trips, and pair best with a gorilla trek.

Getting there

Rubavu is about a three-hour drive from Kigali and close to Volcanoes National Park, so it pairs naturally with gorilla trekking; Karongi is a similar distance from the capital. See places to stay in Rubavu, Karongi and Kigali.