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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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"We booked our 10-day safari in Tanzania and Kenya through Discover Africa, and it exceeded every expectation. From our first conversation through the end of our journey, everything was exceptionally well organized, allowing us to focus entirely on enjoying ..."

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"Booking with Justin at Discover Africa, to plan my safari and Victoria Falls adventure turned out to be the best choice I made. Right from the start, Justin was friendly, responsive, and incredibly thorough—he answered all my questions and provided a detail..."

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"We booked our safari trip through Justin van Wyk from Discover Africa, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. He organized and booked everything from A to Z, so we didn’t have to worry about anything at all. Throughout the entire trip, we stayed..."

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"This was my 6th trip to South Africa and Botswana and, as always, Matthys van Aswegen made it a happy, safe, and exciting experience! My roommate, Glenna, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to South Africa's Boulders Beach to visit the African Penguin Reserv..."

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"It was an extensive planning process to put together a 24 day safari and adventure trip covering Victoria Falls, Mana Pools and Hwange Park in Zimbabwe, followed by a wonderful experience in Botswana on the Chobe River and Okvango Delta. There were flight c..."

Tami Jones, United States•19 Nov 2025•

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John M, United States•08 Oct 2025•

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