What to Know about Lake Kivu in Rwanda

Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes lying on the boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.Lake Kivu is found in the Northern Province of Rwanda and can be visited on Honeymoon Adventures.

As well as boasting a number of delightful beach resorts, this beautiful lake is also a great place to cycle the Congo–Nile trail.

Running along the Congolese border for 90km, the 2,370km² Lake Kivu is one of a string of ‘inland seas’ that submerge much of the Albertine Rift floor as it runs southward from the Sudan to Zambia. It is very a beautiful lake, hemmed in by steeply terraced escarpments containing several peaks of 2,800m or higher, including the smoking outline of volcanic Nyiragongo in the far north, and it has long served as a popular weekend getaway for residents of this otherwise landlocked country.

Kivu has a smaller surface area than the two most expansive Albertine Rift lakes, the more southerly Tanganyika and more northerly Albert. Nevertheless, a maximum depth of 480m and total water content of 333km3 places it among the world’s 20 deepest and 20 most voluminous freshwater bodies. In addition, the 285km² Idjwi Island, which falls entirely within Congolese territory, is the second largest inland island in Africa and tenth largest in the world.

A shallower and larger incarnation of Kivu probably formed about two million years ago as a result of the same tectonic activity that created the Albertine Rift and other associated lakes. Back then, Kivu would have been contiguous with the lower-lying Lake Edward on the Uganda.  About 20,000 years ago, however, a natural dam created by lava from the Virungas isolated Lake Kivu from Lake Edward. As a result, Kivu’s surface rose to its present-day altitude of 1,470m, the Rusizi River which had formerly drained out of Lake Tanganyika into the southern tip of Kivu reversed its flow, and the lake became part of the Congo Watershed.

Kivu supports an impoverished fauna by comparison with other large Rift Valley lakes, as a result of an unusually high level of volcanic activity. The geological record suggests that the release of methane trapped below the lake’s surface has resulted in regular mass extinctions every few thousand years. As a result, fewer than 30 fish species are known from the lake and, while this does include 16 endemics, it pales by comparison with the many hundreds of species recorded from Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika.

High methane levels probably also explain the complete absence of hippo and croc, and are also cited by those who claim that the lake has no Bilharzia. Kivu’s attractively irregular shoreline, with its verdant slopes and sandy beaches, is served by three main resort towns. The most northerly of these, Rubavu/Gisenyi, has the best tourist facilities, partly because of its proximity to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park .

Karongi/Kibuye, further south and with the advantage of being far closer to Kigali, also has a few decent lakeshore hotels. At the southern end of the lake, overlooking the exit point of the Rusizi River, Rusizi/Cyangugu can easily be visited in conjunction with Nyungwe National Park and Huye/Butare, and has recently gained its first hotel meeting international standards.

Capture the Beauty of Rwanda in a Day

Rwanda the only land of lovely views in Africa with variety to see and Explore from lakes, National Parks, Beaches, Museums, genocide memorials, Cultural sites mention to a few. While in Rwanda you might think your not in Africa since the country shines just like other foreign countries. Cleanliness is the order of the day followed by tight security making it the outstanding safest nation in the region. Are you planning to visit Africa for vacation or business?-Rwanda has it all and when it comes to Tour/Safari adventures its even more attractive since you can enjoy one of the world’s best adventure “Mountain Gorilla safari tracking” in Just a day. Many tourists to Rwanda take on this trip since its saves both time and money. It’s more flexible that you can leave Kigali Rwanda’s Capital on the very day for tracking and still catch up with the trek at Volcanoes National Park.

If your flight back home is the day of the gorilla trek, it’s very possible since from the Volcanoes National Park to Kigali Airport is just 2-3 hours drive. Sometimes you can chose to drive around the city before your drop off. Alternatively you can shop around town, visit a few Genocide memorial sites – Kigali Genocide Memorial to return home with some facts and history life of Rwanda. Lake Kivu beaches are an amazing place to be after the trek if time permits-cool off the day’s hassles, relax in leisure and also feed your eyes with all the captivative hill views set in front of every glance you take. For unusual fun plan with a team of experienced knowledgeable Tour professionals who have been in service for a while and Walmark safaris Rwanda is the best choice for your Rwanda holiday.

Indeed it’s in Rwanda where you can do short treks, walks to most the countries national parks-Nyungwe forest, Volcanoes & Akagera National park. They include hikes to Karisimbi and bamboo forest hikes in volcanoes national park, short hilly walks to local communities, forest walks in Nyungwe among others. Besides you can also visit the Two Africa’s Great Active volcanoes in Democratic republic of Congo (DRC)- Nyamulagira the most active volcanoes in Africa) and Nyiragongo (the outlook of a natural disaster in 2002 where people were displaced by Africa’s historical eruption) though Nyiragongo has the world’s fastest flowing lava which makes the place more popular and famed in the travel world.

Mount Karisimbi Hike

This dormant volcanic mountain is located in Rwanda in the famous mountain gorilla national park- volcanoes national park along the Rwanda border with Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s the highest in Rwanda, in the Virunga volcanoes and the sixth highest on the African continent at 4,507 meters above sea level. Mount Karisimbi is located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley with snow at its peak- locally known as ‘amasimbi’ by the Rwandese. The mountain is bordered by mount Nyiragongo in the west, mount Mikeno in the north and mount Bisoke in the east.

The mountain has various vegetation types at different zones starting with the dense equatorial rain forests at its foot hills afro-montane and bamboo vegetation and lastly the snow capped peak. The equatorial rainforests are homes to one of the world’s most endangered species the mountain gorilla that can only be found in only three countries in the world but best viewed in Rwanda in the rainforests along the gentle slopes of mount Karisimbi. All tourists going for the mount Karisimbi hike have very many chances of viewing the mountain gorillas plus other major attractions like primates especially chimpanzees and monkeys, different bird and butterfly species.

Hiking mount Karisimbi is not that simple! It requires some fitness and energy but its hike can be very rewarding with unforgettable tourist experiences. The hiking can be done in 2 days with roughly 6 hours of ascending the first day and 6 hours of descending the second day.

On the day of hiking, tourists are expected to be at the Kinigi headquarters for briefing and then take a 16 kilometers ride from the head quarters to the trail head where the road ends at a car park for tourist going for the hike in about 30 minutes. Porters can be got at this point and if a tourist has some luggage and cant carry it on his own; he can hire one at around $20 per day.

The Hiking Process

The adventurous climb starts at the mountain foot hills around 2,600 meters above sea level very early in the morning. The Dian Fossey research center and grave yard is at around 2,067 meters above sea level and any tourist interested can visit the place at an extra cost. Hiking goes on through the various vegetation layers to the camping site and resting place at about 3,700 meters above sea level. Here hikers have an overnight, relax and prepare for the completion of the volcanic hike the next day. While at this camp, one can clearly view mount Bisoke which is at the same attitude plus the spectacular evergreen rain forests down hill.

The next morning, you will be expected to wake up early enough for break fast and then continue to finish the hike. As you go higher, the temperature becomes a little colder with very steep slopes and reduction in visibility. After a few more hours of the hike, you will reach the Karisimbi summit which is very cold because of the snow and the cold breezes from the forests on the mountain slopes.After reaching the final destination-the summit, you will then embark on your descending journey which also takes about 6 hours including resting at the camp which is at 3,700 meters above sea level until you reach again to the car parking area on the foot hills if the mountain.

All those interested in hiking mount Karisimbi are advised to wear enough warmth clothes especially in the higher altitudes to avoid getting sick. Heavy jackets, sweaters, hats plus many other head wearing gears, hand gloves and water proof pants and coats are highly recommended; this is mainly because the mountain has equatorial rain forests with high evaporation rates and therefore high chances of rainfall even in the dry season. While uphill, one is supposed to strictly follow the guides’ instructions and is not supposed to make a lot of noise or leave his fellow hiking group members because it might be insecure.

Hiking mount Karisimbi can be best done during the dry season with minimal and limited chances of rain fall that can increase the hiking duration. Good hiking shoes and a walking stick are very good option to enable easy movement through the muddy slopes especially after it has rained.

For better safety while on the hike, tourists are expected to make earlier preparations and get all the necessary gears they will need on the hike especially clothes and sleeping bags. Those with health complications can first seek for medical personnel’s opinion of their quest; after being approved,they can then proceed for the hike.

Would you like to climb Mount Karisimbi? Hiking permits are available at $175 including guiding services and the hike takes two days. You can also take this hike after your gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park. According to the park management, the hike must be booked atleast two weeks before the date you intend to take the hike.

Go Fishing along Lake Victoria in Uganda

Uganda boasts of the 2^nd largest fresh water lake in Africa – Lake Victoria. This lake offers great opportunities to both locals and tourists who want to go fishing. The lake is a great place to unwind or rewind and its islands are among the most beautiful tropical inland beaches in Africa. Looking for a relaxing holiday on the lake shores. The lake Victoria shores are very good and sky blue beaches will rejuvenate your brain from the usual tussle and hustles.

How to Get There

would you like to go fishing? Whether you take a fully inclusive guided safari or take an independent self drive in Uganda, you will have the best of your time in Uganda. There are many local tour operators who offer a guided fishing safari in Uganda as well as local car rental agencies who will reserve a good and reliable car for you.

On the day of this trip, you will wake up very early in the morning and have a cup of tea. Then at exactly 7:00 am, you will start your ignition and drive for about 40km from the Kmapala city Centre to Entebbe on Lugard Avenue just outside Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. You will park your vehicle here and walk just a stone’s throw to the pier from where you will take a boat to this lake.

These boats are equipped with an overhead sun canopy, rain suits (there can be a certain amount of spray when the lake is rough), mobile phone, life jackets, basic first aid box and fire extinguisher on board for your safety. Some even have a cooler box on board for cold drink storage.

For fishing, there are two sessions- one that is conducted in the morning which commences at 9:00 Am and goes on up to 11 Am and another one that runs from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.However,you can opt for a full day fishing trip which is approximately 8 hours on the water and a half day around 4 hours. Fishing is done around local islands about a 45 minute boat trip from Entebbe.

The areas fished will depend upon the weather and how the fish are biting. At certain times of the year the lake can be very rough with large swells and so then you utilize the sheltered bays for fishing.

You will carry your picnic lunch and a cool box of beers, mineral water and sodas as well as tea and coffee. You will leave this lake very late in the evening and drive back to your hotel of residence in either Kampala or Entebbe and this will mark the end of your one day self-drive fishing vacation to L.Victoria.