Lake Kivu is a Great Rift Valley lake shared by Rwanda and the D.R. Congo. It is located in the western part of Rwanda, 160km in north western part from Kigali. It covers an area of 2,700km2 and lies 1.460m above sea level. It’s 89km long and 48km wide, its average depth is 220m, and its maximum depth is 485m. It is one of the great lakes of East Africa and lies within great rift valley of Africa.
The lake is a good resort for watersports, like kayaking, jet skiing, boat riding, and even swimming and beach sports. Lake Kivu plays a vital role in the water transportation of both countries, as it is used for the transportation of people and their goods from or to both countries. Also, there is a boat access(Munezero) connecting you to the other parts like Karongi and Rusizi, and the primate circuit of volcanoes and Nyungwe national parks, and lake kivu bluebird boats; a colorfully painted blue and white boats that offer tours of lake kivu, can be found in karongi part of the lake.
The lake is also a great source of fish; people of both countries work all night to catch the fish, which contributes to the development of the society they live in.
At the shorelines of Lake Kivu, there are hotels (like Kivu Serena Hotel and Steppe hotel), beaches (like New Tam Tam and Gisenyi public beaches), which are beautiful places to relax in the Rubavu district.
The lake is providing best view of the birdlife, as it is near the Congo-Nile trail and gives access to the endemic Albertine Rift’s birds of the afro-montane of the western region of Rwanda.
At the shoreline of the lake, you will find Bralirwa, also known in French as Brasseries et limonaderies du Rwanda, an internationally recognised and the largest brewery and beverage company in Rwanda. It produces local beers like Mutziig, Primus, and even international brands like Guinness, Amstel, and a range of soft drinks.
The lake is a beneficial energy resort for both countries, as it has Methane gas for an electricity plant, the world’s first plant that was developed in Lake Kivu in 2005, and the station started producing power in 2008. The plant is considered a tourist attraction due to ecological value, and also has a rig which can be seen in the distance on Lake Kivu.
The Explore Rwanda tour is very pleased to recommend you to this lovely and very secure destination( home of entertainment), where you will see and get connected to the beautiful islands, hot springs, and other beauties of Gisenyi in Rwanda and Goma in DR Congo. Enjoy the cool air blowing overnight, it is like no other place to stay overnight in the world than Kivu Lake, and even study how it is playing a great role in people’s lives.
