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Lake Kivu

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, provides a tranquil retreat with its crystal-clear waters, scenic shorelines, and opportunities for water-based activities. The verdant hills create a picturesque backdrop for houseboat tours* and boat safaris. Picture gliding over the calm waters, casting your eyes over the magical forests along the banks – a quintessential experience during a Rwanda luxury safari.

*Note: The Kivu Queen houseboat is in for repairs at the moment, but it should be back in the water by July 2025.

Must-Visit Areas in Lake Kivu

This region is an ideal stop during Rwanda safaris for beach relaxation, watersports, birdwatching, and more:

Rubavu: Beach Town

Previously known as Gisenyi, Rubavu is a postcard-perfect resort town complete with sandy beaches and luxury accommodation. This is the ideal stop after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. There are bustling markets and tree-lined streets to explore, a brewery for beer tasting, and trendy bars for sundowner cocktails.

Kibuye: Lakeside Birdwatching

From the lakeside town of Kibuye, enjoy the sweeping vistas of flourishing plantain fields, misty rainforests, and picturesque islands. Kibuye is the perfect base for boat trips on Lake Kivu. A Rwanda safari here is ideal for birdwatching; see pelicans, crowned cranes, and malachite kingfishers.

Cyangugu: Portal to Primate Trekking Safaris

Located at the southern end of Lake Kivu, Cyangugu is a gateway to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the best places for a primates safari in Rwanda. While here, head to the lake for boat safaris, kayaking, and swimming. Travel to the national park for chimpanzee trekking and birdwatching. Visit the Mashesha Hot Springs, a natural cauldron of boiling water bubbling from the earth.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Lake Kivu?

The long dry season in Rwanda is from June to September. During this time of the year, you can enjoy clear skies, minimal rain, and warm temperatures. These months are extremely popular, so make sure to book far in advance. December to February is the shorter dry season; birdwatchers will enjoy spotting the migrant species that fly into Rwanda during this period.

Animals Found in Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is safe for swimming, as it’s free from dangerous animals like hippos and crocodiles. There are a number of fish species in the lake, with the main species being sardines, sambaza, and ndugu. Lake Kivu birdwatching is excellent, with more than 400 species calling this region home. Keep a lookout for kingfishers and cormorants.

How to Get to Lake Kivu

The lakeside town of Rubavu is approximately a three- to four-hour road transfer from Kigali International Airport. Alternatively, you could fly to Gisenyi Airport right by Lake Kivu.

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"This is the second safari holiday we have used Dev to organise. We had the privilege of visiting three beautiful lodges on this trip, Devs recommendations in three different locations, Sabi Sands, Timbavati, and Makalali, which entailed a lot of organising ..."

Vivienne Lister, Australia21 May 2026

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"I contacted a few agency, Discover Africa was fast to respond. Every steps of the way in planning to the very end of departure, all things were planned with precise accuracy. Adelle was always in communication and ready to help and answer everything. Fra..."

Boaz Leung, United States21 Feb 2026

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"Justin Van Wyk from Discover Africa Safari did an outstanding job in planning our perfect Safari. All travel and transfers between airports and game lodges have been flawless! The lodges and safari experiences have been awesome."

Roland Braun, United States05 Jan 2026

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"From start to finish, every phase of our trip was seamless. From the man who greeted us at Nairobi airport when we arrived to the woman who assisted us at our departure, we were taken care of perfectly. Our lodges at Saruni Samburu and Saruni Mara were beau..."

Lynne Calero, United States20 Nov 2025

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"Discover Africa and their trip advisor Megan Warrington did a fantastic job arranging our trip to Cape Town, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), and the Chobe River and Kwara Camp in Botswana. We originally planned this trip a few years ago, but had to cancel. Megan..."

Roger Pennifill, United States12 Nov 2025

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"I booked a three-day safari through Discover Africa, including flights, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Communication was clear, timely, and genuinely helpful, making the whole trip easy and worry-free. The safari itself was exceptiona..."

Daniel, Sweden13 Oct 2025

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