Destinations · Western Rwanda
Lake Kivu: Rwanda's Great Lake
Lake Kivu, in the west of Rwanda, is the country’s great lake, edged by green hills, fishing villages and coffee farms. It is about 3 to 4 hours by road from Kigali, or about 1½ hours from Volcanoes National Park to Rubavu, and it is good to visit all year, driest from June to September. We plan private stays at Rubavu and Karongi (Kibuye), with island boat trips, coffee cooperative visits and kayaking.
At a glance
Lake Kivu in Brief
The key facts we share with every traveller planning time by the lake.
All year
Best season
Good all year, and driest from June to September.
3 to 4 hours
From Kigali
By road, west through the hills.
About 1½ hours
From Volcanoes
To Rubavu, an easy add-on after gorilla trekking.
Rubavu and Karongi
Where to stay
The two lakeside towns we use as a base.
01 — On the water
Island Boat Trips on Lake Kivu
A morning boat trip takes you out to the islands, including Napoleon Island with its fruit bat colony, and Amahoro Island. You travel at an easy pace, with time on the water and views back to the green hills.
Kayaking and lakeside walks fill the rest of the day, and sunsets over the lake are a highlight of any stay.
Best for
Island boat trips, kayaking, rest
Islands
Napoleon Island, Amahoro Island
Pace
Slow, with time to rest
02 — Coffee and lakeside life
Coffee Cooperatives and Fishing Villages
The hills around Lake Kivu are covered in coffee farms, and a visit to a coffee cooperative shows how the coffee grown here is produced. Fishing villages line the shore.
The lake makes a relaxing finish to a gorilla or chimpanzee safari. Our 5 Days Gorillas & Chimpanzees journey drives along the lake between Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
Visit
A coffee cooperative
Combine with
Volcanoes or Nyungwe
From Volcanoes
About 1½ hours to Rubavu
03 — Where to stay
Lodges on Lake Kivu
Our Lake Kivu stays use Cormoran Lodge in Karongi (Kibuye) or Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Rubavu, or similar, both by the water.
Two nights gives you a full day on the lake with time to rest. Every journey keeps your own vehicle and English-speaking Rwandan driver-guide from arrival to departure.
Karongi (Kibuye)
Cormoran Lodge or similar
Rubavu
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or similar
Ideal stay
2 nights
Lake Kivu trips
Private Lake Kivu Trips from Kigali
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing at mid-range lodges, with permits included where listed. Solo travellers, larger groups and luxury lodges are priced on request.
3 days
Lake Kivu Retreat
Island boat trips, a coffee cooperative and quiet evenings in Karongi. From US$850 per person.
5 days
Gorillas and Chimpanzees
Gorillas in Volcanoes and chimpanzees in Nyungwe, with a drive along Lake Kivu. From US$3,550 per person.
7 days
The Rwanda Grand Journey
Kigali, Akagera, Volcanoes and Lake Kivu, from east to west. From US$4,200 per person.
Good to know
Lake Kivu: Frequently Asked Questions
In the west of Rwanda. The main lakeside towns are Rubavu in the north and Karongi (Kibuye) further south, about 3 to 4 hours by road from Kigali.
Boat trips to the islands, including Napoleon Island with its fruit bat colony and Amahoro Island, coffee cooperative visits, kayaking, lakeside walks and sunsets over the water.
Yes. Rubavu is about 1½ hours from Volcanoes National Park, so the lake is an easy place to rest after gorilla trekking. Our 7 Days Rwanda Grand Journey includes both.
Two nights is enough for a full day on the lake and time to rest. Our 3 Days Lake Kivu Retreat follows this plan from Kigali.
Lake Kivu is good to visit all year, and driest from June to September.
Our 3 Days Lake Kivu Retreat is from US$850 per person, based on 2 people sharing at mid-range lodges, with the island boat trip and coffee cooperative visit included.
Plan your trip: read our guides to the best time to visit Rwanda, how many days you need, what a safari costs and visa requirements. Lake Kivu pairs well with the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees in Nyungwe and Akagera.
Written by the Epic Rwanda Safaris team in Kigali. Prices checked October 2026.
Begin the journey
Plan Your Lake Kivu Stay with a Rwandan Team
Share your dates and who is travelling. We arrange your guide, vehicle, lodges and activities, and reply to every enquiry within 24 hours, or message us on WhatsApp.