DESTINATION GUIDE // RWANDA
Lake Kivu
One of the African Great Lakes, with no crocodiles or hippo, so you can actually swim in it.
2,700 km2
LAKE AREA
485m
MAX DEPTH
Safe
FOR SWIMMING
6th
DEEPEST IN AFRICA
150 km
FROM KIGALI
Quick answer: Lake Kivu covers 2,700 square kilometres on the border between Rwanda and DR Congo and reaches 485 metres deep. Unusually for an African lake it has no crocodiles, hippo or bilharzia, which makes it safe for swimming and watersports.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Lake Kivu At A Glance
Kivu is where most Rwanda itineraries decompress. After the effort of gorilla trekking, a few nights on the lake at Gisenyi, Kibuye or Rusizi is the natural counterpoint. The water is warm and safe to swim, the shoreline is steep and green and the Congo Nile Trail runs along it for walkers and cyclists. Boat trips out to the small islands and the evening singing of the fishermen are the things visitors most often remember.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Western Rwanda, on the DR Congo border |
| Distance from Kigali | Approximately 150 km to Gisenyi, 3 hours by road |
| Size | 2,700 km2, up to 485 metres deep |
| Main towns | Rubavu (Gisenyi), Karongi (Kibuye), Rusizi (Cyangugu) |
| Known for | Safe swimming, Congo Nile Trail, island boat trips |
| Best paired with | Volcanoes and Nyungwe, which sit at either end of the lake |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Swimming and Watersports
No crocodiles, hippo or bilharzia, so swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding are all safe, which is rare among African lakes.
Congo Nile Trail
A 227 km route along the shoreline for hiking or mountain biking, usually done in sections over a few days.
Island Boat Trips
Napoleon Island with its fruit bat colony, and Amahoro Island, are both reachable on short boat trips from Kibuye.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Sep | Long dry season, warmest and clearest | Medium |
| Dec to Feb | Short dry season, good lake conditions | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, frequent afternoon storms | Low |
| Oct to Nov | Short rains, quiet and green | Low |
EXPLORE MORE
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