Maison » Destinations » Lac Kivu : le plus grand lac d’eau douce du Rwanda
Soyez témoin du monde
Jun-Sept
4-5 days
Napoleaon Island, Singing fishermen at Dusk, Rubavu Volcanic Panoramas
329 Km2
Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi & Rusizi
Couples and Honey mooners
In the heart of East Africa, there lies a small, beautiful, and clean country known as Rwanda. It is a land of a thousand hills; Lac Kivu, a natural beauty, stands as a shining jewel of both serenity and geological wonder. Its serene waters stretch across the western border of Rwanda while mirroring the blue skyline above and cradling a glance that intertwines beauty, danger, and a unique connection to Earth’s restless depths.
As the largest lake in Rwanda and sixth largest in the whole of Africa, Lake Kivu is more than just a catchment of water; it is a natural testament to the complex interplay between the forces of nature and the originality of humankind. It portrays something very unique; being the biggest freshwater lake and the biggest in Rwanda, it gives a clear picture of the natural beauty
Le lac Kivu est un immense lac d'eau douce situé le long de la frontière entre Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake is 89 kilometres in length and 48 kilometres wide, covering a surface area of 2,700 km squared at an average depth of 240m with a maximum depth of 480 metres, a water volume of 500 km³, and a surface elevation of 1,460 metres. Lake Kivu also stores huge quantities of methane gas that Rwanda is extracting to produce electricity.
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes and is 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. In the early centuries, Lake Kivu drained toward the north, contributing to the White Nile. And about 13,000 to 9,000 years ago, volcanic activity blocked Lake Kivu’s outlet to the watershed of the Nile. The volcanism produced mountains, including the Virunga, which rose between Lake Kivu and Lake Edward, to the north.
L’eau du lac Kivu a ensuite été poussée vers le sud, vers le sud, vers la Ruzizi. Ceci, à son tour, a fait monter le niveau du lac Tanganyika, qui a débordé vers le bas de la rivière Lukuga.
It has recently been discovered that Lake Kivu contains approximately 55 billion m3 of dissolved biogas (Methane)at a depth of 300 metres. Until 2004, the gas was extracted on a small scale and used to run boilers at the Bralirwa brewery in Gisenyi. As far as large-scale exploitation of this resource is concerned, the Rwandan government has negotiated with a number of parties to produce methane from the lake.
The breathtaking Lake Kivu in Rwanda harbours various aquatic species, such as the Ripon Barb, East African red-finned barb, red-spotted barb, Pellegrin’s barb, and catfish. Lac Kivu also contains tilapia species such as the Nile tilapia, red-breast tilapia, long-fin tilapia, Blue-spotted tilapia, and the Lake Tanganyika sardine, which was recently introduced into the lake.
Le lac Kivu est un les ornithologues amateurs with its diverse ecosystem, inhabited by over 400 bird species, making it a prime location for birdwatching. From the graceful African fish eagle to colourful sunbirds and elusive shoebills, the region is a bird paradise.
The shores of Lac Kivu provide a perfect ground and backdrop for relaxation and calmness. Various resorts are situated along the coastline, offering awe-inspiring views of the lake and the surrounding vast landscapes, such as hills. Here, you can unwind, savor local cuisine, and indulge in spa treatments while soaking in the soothing atmosphere of the lake.
Pour les amateurs d'aventure, le lac Kivu compte de nombreux water-based activities such as Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding allow you to glide across the calm waters while taking in breathtaking views, while Jet skiing and speedboat rides provide an adrenaline rush, creating memorable experiences for water sports lovers.
Les communautés locales le long et autour du lac Kivu sont riches en diversité culturelle et en patrimoine. Participez à des interactions authentiques avec la population locale et découvrez leur mode de vie, leurs traditions et leur talent artistique. Visitez également les marchés locaux animés, où vous pourrez acheter des souvenirs artisanaux et vous immerger dans les couleurs et les saveurs vibrantes de la culture est-africaine.
Les vastes collines impressionnantes entourant le lac Kivu offrent d'excellentes possibilités de randonnée et de trekking. Des sentiers traversent des forêts luxuriantes, offrant un aperçu de la faune et des espèces d'oiseaux. L’une des randonnées remarquables est le Congo Nile Trail, qui s’étend le long du lac et offre des vues captivantes à chaque tournant.
L'activité géothermique dans le lac Kivu a entraîné une augmentation sources chaudes naturelles. Ces sources thérapeutiques offrent une façon unique de se détendre et de se ressourcer. Gisenyi, une ville située au bord du lac, est célèbre pour ses sources chaudes au bord du lac, où vous pourrez vous baigner dans des eaux chaudes riches en minéraux au milieu de paysages à couper le souffle.
Le lac Kivu abrite de nombreuses îles qui ajoutent à l'atmosphère de la région. L'île d'Idjwi est le Kivu
Le lac Kivu est un ornithologue amateur
Le lac Kivu se trouve à environ 100 km de la capitale du pays, Kigali. Le lac est accessible par la route en utilisant des moyens publics ou privés. La durée du trajet dépend cependant de la ville que vous visitez. De Kigali à Gisenyi, cela prend 3 heures, de Kigali à Kibuye, cela prend 3 heures, de Kigali à Cyangugu via Kibuye cela prend 6 heures, de Kigali à Cyangugu via Butare cela prend 6 heures.
En conclusion, Lac Kivu a son charme unique, offrant un mélange de détente, d'aventure, de culture et de beauté naturelle. Que vous recherchiez une retraite sereine au bord d'un lac, une expérience culturelle immersive ou des aventures en plein air palpitantes. Explorez le Rwanda avec Safaris conviviaux avec les gorilles.
Napoleaon Island, Singing fishermen at Dusk, Rubavu Volcanic Panoramas
Jun-Sept
Faune, paysages fluviaux et safaris
Kayaking, Boat Cruise & Coffee plantation walking tours
By road where you move from kigali airport to the Rubavu that takes roughhly 3 hours & central town of Karongi takes 3 hours & the Rusizi town takes almost 5-6 hours
Inzu Lodge (Budget), Inn on the Lodge (Standard), Cormoran Lodge (Luxury)
The lake is called a killer lake because it has deep layers of the lake that hold massive trapped reserves of dissolved methane and carbon dioxide gases due to underlying volcanic activity. While a catastrophic sudden release or eruption, it is possible given its geology, no such event has ever occurred in recorded history; scientists monitor the gases closely, and the surface layers remain completely stable for regular activities. It is therefore advisable not to play around this lake.
Yes, definitely, swimming in this lake is generally safe. The deep, clear waters are free of dangerous large animals like crocodiles and hippos, and there is no risk of bilharzia. Always stick to designated local swimming areas in towns like Gisenyi and Kibuye. This is the largest freshwater lake in Rwanda, and it has large amounts of water; it is also the sixth-largest water body in Africa.
Yes, the gas is very important and very useful. Rwanda successfully extracts dissolved methane from the deep water through commercial initiatives like the KivuWatt project to generate clean electricity. This methane gas is used in different industries and companies to manufacture different products that include alcoholic drinks and other products.
The area has several activities surrounding it, and these activities attract very large numbers of people across the whole world; these activities include Water sports like Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Boating is also present, with scenic boat cruises between the small, hilly islands. There is always relaxation in enjoying the sandy inland beaches and peaceful lakeside resorts that are located on different parts and different angles of the Lake.
Aucune surprise. Votre devis explique l'hébergement, les permis, les frais de parc, le transport, les repas et les exclusions avant de réserver.
Votre voyage soutient les zones de conservation, les guides locaux, les porteurs, les lodges et les communautés liées au tourisme animalier.
Nous travaillons uniquement avec des guides expérimentés qui valorisent la faune, la sécurité, l'hospitalité et les expériences client significatives.
Vous bénéficiez d’un accompagnement personnalisé du début à la fin. Avant l'arrivée et une assistance fiable tout au long de votre safari.
Après réservation, aucun changement surprenant. Vos visites partent quand, comment et du même endroit que nous avons mentionné.
Tous nos safaris sont strictement conçus en fonction de vos intérêts, de vos dates de voyage, de votre niveau de confort et de votre budget et façonnent chaque itinéraire.
Tell us when you would like to travel, how many people are joining you and what you want to experience. We will help you build a private safari around your destination, accommodation preferences and available time.
octobre, novembre, mars, avril, mai
Juin, juillet, août, septembre, décembre
Camp de gorilles de Buhoma,

