Experience
Lake Kivu Experiences
Islands, night fishermen and somewhere to swim
01What it is
Boat trips, fishing, kayaking and swimming on Lake Kivu, based at Rubavu, Karongi or Rusizi.
Kivu is where a Rwandan itinerary slows down. The lake has no crocodiles or hippos, so swimming is simply part of the day, and the shoreline is broken into bays and islands that reward a boat.
The fishermen go out at dusk in wooden trimarans and come back at dawn, and they sing to keep the paddles in time. You can go with them, which is worth the very early night.
Beyond that: kayaking, coffee terraces on the hills above the water, hot springs near Rubavu, and sections of the Congo Nile Trail.
- Where
- Rubavu, Karongi, Rusizi
- Duration
- 2 hours to several days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Swimming
- Yes — no crocodiles or hippos
02What to expect
- 01
Island boat trips
Out to the islands, some inhabited, some given over to fruit bats that leave at dusk.
- 02
The singing fishermen
Wooden trimarans, paddled in time to song. You can join a night's fishing.
- 03
Swimming
No crocodiles, no hippos, no bilharzia concerns of the kind that affect other lakes.
- 04
Kayaking and cycling
The shoreline by kayak, or sections of the Congo Nile Trail by bike.
03Best time
Year-round. Mornings are calmest for boats.
- JanJan: best
- FebFeb: best
- MarMar: shoulder season
- AprApr: shoulder season
- MayMay: shoulder season
- JunJun: best
- JulJul: best
- AugAug: best
- SepSep: best
- OctOct: shoulder season
- NovNov: shoulder season
- DecDec: best
- Afternoon storms are common in the wet months — take boats in the morning.
04What to bring
- Swimwear
- Sun protection
- A dry bag
- A warm layer for the night fishing trip
05Requirements
- Boat trips are arranged through your accommodation or with us in advance.
- Swim from recognised spots and follow local advice.
Permit costs, age limits and park regulations are set by the Rwanda Development Board and its partners and change from time to time. We confirm the current position with you in writing before anything is booked.
07Journeys that include it
Tours
7 days · 6 nights
7-Day Rwanda Discovery
Gorillas, rainforest and the lake in between
Kigali, the Virungas for gorillas, down the shore of Lake Kivu, and into Nyungwe for chimpanzees and the canopy walk.
ClassicModeratePrice on request
10 days · 9 nights
10-Day Rwanda Complete Experience
The whole country, at a pace that lets you enjoy it
Kigali, Akagera's savannah, the Virunga gorillas, Lake Kivu and Nyungwe's rainforest — every landscape Rwanda has, without a forced march.
ClassicModeratePrice on request
Lake Kivu has no crocodiles or hippos and swimming from the lakeside hotels and beaches is normal. Swim from recognised spots and take local advice, as anywhere.
Add it to your trip
Plan lake kivu experiences
Tell us roughly when you want to travel and what you want to see. We will come back with an itinerary built around it, not a package pulled off a shelf.