Kigali Day Trip Lake Kivu Cruise

Kigali Day Trip Lake Kivu Cruise is a 1-day tour that departs and ends in Kigali and is an unforgettable journey to discover Lake Kivu – a must-visit destination in Rwanda.  Lake Kivu is among the Great Lakes of Africa and lies approximately 3 hours drive from Kigali City. This 1-day excursion offers an enchanting boat cruise on Lake Kivu – one of the African Great Lakes in Rwanda. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake, and the sixth-largest lake in Africa and lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The lake is in the Albertine (western) branch of the Great Rift Valley and empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.

A day trip to Lake Kivu takes a 3.5-hour drive from Kigali by road and is a fantastic and pleasant way to spend some time relaxing on the water as you enjoy a little peace and quiet. Boating on the lake offers very beautiful scenery, calm, and peaceful. The local boat captains give you an insight into Rwandan culture and rural life in the fishing villages at the lake’s edge.  During your day trip to Lake Kivu from Kigali, you may visit Gisyeni or Kibuye town. In Kibuye, your visit can include a boat cruise to some of the lake’s islands to see the local fruit bat population and enjoy the quiet. Visitors to Gisyeni can pay a visit to the local hot springs, enjoy a cultural visit to a traditional fishing village, or simply have lunch and relax on the shores of the lake. 

A boat ride on Lake Kivu offers a chance to see a variety of birdlife and different animals like monkeys and otters on the lakeshore. The Lake Kivu region is home to over 400 species of birds, ranging from small passerines to large waterfowl. Some of the most common species in the region are white-breasted cormorants, pied kingfishers pelicans, crowned cranes, malachite kingfishers, and osprey.  A short hike to Napoleon Island is also included to see a large colony of bats and also to look for giant African millipedes, water snakes, eagles, and a wide variety of water birds. This action-packed private tour includes lunch and is conducted by an English-speaking guide. You travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle, seeing some of the scenic Rwandan countryside as you drive from Kigali to Lake Kivu and back again.

Kigali Day Trip Lake Kivu Cruise is a 1-day excursion that offers an enchanting boat cruise on Lake Kivu – one of the African Great Lakes in Rwanda. A day trip to Lake Kivu is a fantastic and pleasant way to spend some time relaxing on the water as you enjoy a little peace and quiet.

The boat cruise also gives visitors an insight into rural life in the villages at the lake’s edge. The lake lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and is in the Albertine (western) Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.

During your day trip to Lake Kivu from Kigali, you may visit Gisyeni or Kibuye town. In Kibuye, your visit can include a boat cruise to some of the lake’s islands to see the local fruit bat population and enjoy the quiet. Visitors to Gisyeni can pay a visit to the local hot springs, enjoy a cultural visit to a traditional fishing village, or simply have lunch and relax on the shores of the lake.

A boat ride on Lake Kivu offers a chance to see a variety of birdlife and different water animals on the lakeshore. The birdlife around Lake Kivu is fantastic: pelicans, crowned cranes, malachite kingfishers, etc.

A short hike to Napoleon Island is also included to see a large colony of bats and also to look for giant African millipedes, water snakes, eagles, and a wide variety of water birds.

0730 Hours: Depart from your Kigali hotel after breakfast and drive to Lake Kivu. The distance from Kigali to Lake Kivu is 187 km on a tarmac road and takes about 3 hours with no rush. Heading north we proceed to the Volcanoes Mountains base town of Musanze located about 95 km, (approximately a 2.5 hours drive).

Musanze is Rwanda’s most mountainous district, containing the largest part of the Volcanoes National Park. The area is home to most of the last mountain gorillas on Earth. We drive through Musanze and head west – to the shores of Lake Kivu, forming Rwanda’s western border with DR Congo another 65 km (approximately 1.5 hours drive).

The real joy of this area is driving in this area, is that every corner produces another gorgeous view. Eucalyptus trees line the road, while every inch of the hills seems to be terraced with bananas. Villagers smile, and wave, and children constantly call out “Abuzungu!” as you drive past (the Kinyarwanda term for white people, like “Muzungu” in Swahili).

You’ll end up with hands tired from waving, and feel like royalty at the end of the trip!

1100 Hours: Upon arrival at Lake Kivu, we immediately embark on a 2-hour boat excursion on Lake Kivu. The boat trip takes you around the nearby islands, passing close to Rwanda’s main breweries (BRALIRWA), Paradise Island, a distant view of the Methane Gas Plant, and enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the terraced hillsides, amongst other attractions.

1300 Hours: The excursion returns to Paradis Lake Kivu Lodge waterfront, where you disembark and proceed for lunch at Paradis Lake Kivu Lodge restaurant.

1400 Hours: We depart Lake Kivu for a scenic drive back to Kigali making an optional stop for souvenir shopping en route to the city. (Distance about 160 km/ about a 4-hour drive).

1800 Hours: Approximate arrival in Kigali, with drop-off at your Kigali hotel, or at the airport for your evening outbound flight.

Kigali Day Trip Lake Kivu Cruise Prices Include:

Lunch + All entrance fees + Bottled mineral water for refreshment while on the trip + Round trip transportation from Kigali to Lake Kivu and back + Services of our professional full-time English speaking Driver Guide & Boat ride (1 to 2 Hours) on Lake Kivu to see the surrounding areas, people, animals and birds

Notes

* Please advise any specific dietary requirements for lunch at the time of booking
* A moderate amount of walking is involved. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair

Kigali Day Trip Lake Kivu Cruise Prices Exclude:

* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Drinks soft drinks, alcohol, beers, and spirits
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

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