Boat ride Experience on Lake Kivu

Boat ride experience on Lake Kivu are mostly done in Karongi and Rubavu (Gisenyi) mostly. Enjoy the tranquility of Lake Kivu’s hillside views, by undertaking a boat ride in Karongi or Rubavu.

A full safety briefing will be given prior to departure, and throughout the trip, the crew will brighten your journey with numerous tales about local culture, historical exploration and the plethora of wildlife around you.

If you’re looking for a unique and romantic experience, why not explore the sunset around the beautiful Lake Kivu?

Boat ride in Gisenyi – Lake Kivu

Rubavu – previously known as 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.

Boat ride experience on Lake Kivu in Gisenyi, on this magnificent lake gives you opportunity to take a sundowner cruise on the lake, spot some beautiful birds and have great scenery views of the lake and its surroundings, with an ideal experience to visit the DR Congo side of Goma, as well as the view the Gisenyi hydro power plant.

You can do either morning or sunset boat tours on Lake Kivu Gisenyi. On a good day, the sunset boat tour may reward you with a great opportunity to watch the singing fishermen, going for their night duty.

Instead of boat trips on Lake Kivu consider, boat paddling, Kayaking, night fishing on Lake Kivu, coffee tours to Kinunu and Cymbiri, plus Congo Nile trail hiking, have attracted a number of tourists to the area. Some of the beautiful lodges include Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Paradise Kivu, Paradise Malahide, Inzu lodge, and much more.

It is as well very easy to drive and visit Lake Kivu, as part of your gorilla trekking safari, in case you have no time to stay over.

Boat ride in Karongi – Lake Kivu

Karongi, – half way along the lake, is a popular beach resort with hillsides covered in pines and eucalyptus serve as a backdrop to the sparkling lake. At dawn and dusk, the sound of local night fisherman singing carries across the water as they paddle in unison. The three fishing boats for the night fishermen, is a great attraction in Karongi. Just like Rubavu, Karongi, is a real gem for water sports on Lake Kivu, with the boat ride to Napoleon Island being the leading adventure in the area.

Local motorized canoe boats are used as major boats to explore the beautiful lake, operated by the local guides, who have extensive knowledge about the lake and its surroundings. Experience activities found near lake Kivu in Karongi includes, visit islands, birds watching, plantations, Boating to the Napoleon Island, climb it at the top and be awarded with an awesome view of the lake and fly fruitful bats found on it, expect cows on island and watch them swimming (in the morning). Back in the boat to see velvet monkeys on islands and join the fishermen in their excited three connected boats for the evening boat ride and experience fishing in Lake. Your local boat captain/ guide, will also stop on request to take you on a short walk along the lakeshore, or on some trips you can visit Nyamunini Island (colloquially known as Napoleon Island – because it’s shaped like his famous hat) where you’ll have the chance to hike to the summit and see a raucous colony of fruit bats that roost in the trees in the day time.

Both early morning and sunset boat tours on Lake Kivu are offered in Karongi, however, the sunset boat tours are more rewarding with a great opportunity to watch the fishermen.

Other activities that can be done in Karongi, other than boat ride, includes, Kayaking, fishermen experience, swimming cows experience, Congo Nile Trail hiking, tea tour and visit to Nyungwe National Park.

As you explore Lake Kivu with One More Adventure Safaris, you will get to learn more about Lake Kivu, with its numerous attractions, a perfect getaway. Karongi, has some of the most beautiful accommodation around, since it is a great place for relaxation after chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest as part of your Rwanda safari. Some of the accommodations include Cormoran Lodge, Cleo Kivu Hotel, Moriah Hills Resort, Inn The Lake Hotel, Bethany Hotel, to mention but a few. Those doing gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Bienga National Park in DRC, often relax in Karongi, after their lowland gorilla trekking, before they proceed with the next day drive to Kigali for their departure.

Karongi – Rubavu.

For those who would wish to connect from Karongi (Kibuye) to Rubavu (Gisenyi) or vice versa, the Lake Kivu boat ride is definitely the best way to do it, which rewards you with a great experience of exploring the Lake as well connecting you with the shortest time as possible in a friendly budget way. The boat ride takes roughly 2 hours to connect you between Karongi and Gisenyi. Much more than a transfer, as you journey across the water, they will show you the interesting sights and explain the places that you’re passing by.

Boat ride from Karongi to Gisenyi, can easily be arranged by our team at One More Adventure Safaris, please speak to one of our tour consultants, and have this included on your Rwanda safaris itinerary.

Giving people the chance to cruise around Lake Kivu in a wooden motorized local boat and take insights they have never seen before is something we never get tired of doing. The look of excitement and amazement never fades, and it’s something we want to try and help everyone experience. So come and join us for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime! We guarantee an amazing day.