Lake Kivu

One of East Africa's largest lakes, Lake Kivu, is located between Rwanda to the east and Congo (Kinshasa) to the west. It has a total area of 2,700 km2, is surrounded by gorgeous mountains, and boasts deep, emerald-green waterways. The sixth-biggest lake in Africa, it is also the largest lake in Rwanda. Lake Kivu is a terrific area to spend a few days just taking in the tranquility of one of Africa's most beautiful regions. It is ideally situated as a resting point between the gorillas of Volcanoes National Park and the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest National Park. When you're not lounging by the pool, you'll have plenty to do with the availability of kayaking, cultural trips, and boat cruises.

Beautiful beaches, peninsulas, and islands like the Idjwi, Goma (Congo), and Bukavu (Congo) surround Lake Kivu to form an archipelago. Lake Kivu is home to the tenth-largest inland island in the world. The fact that this lake has a substantial amount of methane gas makes it important. A methane extraction facility with an estimated 65 cubic kilometers of methane is located within the lake. A number of companies currently employ methane, which was once extracted from the Bralirwa Brewery in Gisenyi and used to power boilers there. Even more carbon dioxide is present. With the nine notable volcanoes in the Virunga Range, the entire region is volcanic.

The Serena Hotel, a luxurious hotel with a beach in front, is located close to Gisenyi at the northern end of the lake. Here, guests may relax in a tropical setting while swimming, boating, skiing, and engaging in other sports and spa treatments. There are also a few more modest lodgings with magnificent vistas of the lake and its smaller islands. These islands include Tshegera and Idjwi. On both the Congo and Rwanda sides of the lake, there are numerous communities, notably Gisenyi, Cyangugu, and Kibuye. A weekend visit to Lake Kivu is the ideal way to cap off a safari in Rwanda. The majority of visitors stay in one of the larger lakeside communities or at a resort farther from any residential areas, like Kinunu Guest House or Rushel Kivu Lodge.

Location: Border of Rwanda and Congo