Lake Kivu
Rwanda planning guide
Planning Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s great lakes and Rwanda’s most relaxing destination — a vast, deep body of fresh water cradled in green hills along the Congolese border, dotted with islands and fringed by easy-going lakeside towns. With no crocodiles, hippos or bilharzia, it is safe for swimming, and after the exertion of gorilla and chimpanzee trekking it offers the perfect change of pace: kayaking the indented shoreline, boat trips to islands and fishing villages, stand-up paddling, and quiet days by the water. The terraced hills behind the lake form the start of the Congo Nile Trail, a scenic route for hiking and cycling, and the surrounding region grows some of Rwanda’s finest coffee. Strung between Volcanoes and Nyungwe, Lake Kivu is the natural place to slow down and unwind on a Rwandan journey.
Practical Planning
Use these details to judge how Lake Kivu fits the pace and priorities of a wider Journey.
Landscape
Deep freshwater lake among terraced green hills on the Congo border, 1,460m
Best time
June–September and December–February, the drier seasons
Ideal pacing
1 to 2 nights
Primary species
Otters, Kingfishers, Cormorants
Distinctive Wildlife
Species recorded for this destination. Visibility varies with habitat, season, recent movement and time in the field.
Otters
Kingfishers
Cormorants
African Fish Eagle
varied lakeshore and wetland birds
Places to stay
Design Your Journey
We can help place Lake Kivu within a route that accounts for season, access, available time and the kind of experience you value.
Speak to a travel specialist