Part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Kivu in the west of Rwanda is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald green waters covering a surface area of 2,700 km2. It is Rwanda’s largest lake and the sixth-largest in Africa.

Where to go on Lake Kivu beach holidays

Gisenyi Beach town Rwanda

Gisenyi is a large town on the northern edge of Lake Kivu, an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park and the perfect place to relax after gorilla trekking, once a colonial beach resort of note, Rubavu’s waterfront is lined with fading old mansions, hotels and trendy bars on the lakeshore, ideal for sundowner cocktails.

Karongi Beach town Rwanda

Karongi is perhaps the most popular beach retreat for families living elsewhere in Rwanda. It’s easy to see why, with its majestic vistas, tranquil atmosphere, and easy access from Kigali.

Hillsides covered in pines and eucalyptus serves as a backdrop to the sparkling lake, with accommodation to suit most budgets. At dawn and dusk, the sound of local fisherman singing carries across the water as they paddle in unison.

Rusizi beach town Rwanda

A small town on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo with views across to the Congolese city of Bukavu, Rusizi is the closest town to Nyungwe National Park, which is about an hour’s drive away. Budget accommodation here will appeal to self-drive visitors to the National Park.

Hiking the Congo Nile trail

The Congo Nile Trail extends 227 kilometers of breath-taking landscapes all the way to Rusizi in the south of Lake Kivu. The trail gently curves back and forth as it weaves through hills and mountains beside the lake with eucalyptus trees lining the road and every inch of the hills seemingly terraced with bananas.

For adventurous travelers, an exciting way to explore Rwanda is a kayaking tour on Lake Kivu, or Mountain biking or Hiking one of the 6 off-the-beaten-path stages of the spectacular Congo Nile Trail.

Best time to Visit Lake Kivu Rwanda

As for the two dry seasons, the major one lasts from June to September and the shorter one from December to February. However, the climate is not uniform throughout the country: it is generally dryer in the east than in the west and north. On occasion, the volcanoes of the north may be capped by snow, and evenings in Kigali can call for a sweater – as do days anywhere in the highlands should you happen to hit a cold snap! Nevertheless, every season is good for swimming and tanning on the banks of Lake Kivu.