Discover Lake Kivu’s real beauty and culture in a single unforgettable day. Sail across peaceful water, explore volcanic islands, taste fresh local coffee, and join local fishermen at night. This tour blends nature, local life, and unique sights into a day you’ll always remember.
Tour Plan
1. Islands Exploration by Boat
Start your adventure with a scenic boat ride, visiting some of Lake Kivu’s most interesting islands:
Napoleon Island ;Hike to the top for panoramic lake views and see a large colony of fruit bats.
Nyenyeri Island; Spot velvet monkeys from the boat as they move freely among the trees.
Mbabara Island; Discover local plants and crops like banana and macadamia trees on this quiet, uninhabited island.
Amahoro Island ; A calm, green island perfect for relaxing and taking photos.
Along the way, you will see the special swimming cows tradition, where cows cross between islands guided by farmers. You’ll also spot some of the unique birds that live around Lake Kivu.
2. Lake Kivu Coffee Tour
Visit a local coffee washing station to:
Walk through coffee fields and see how the coffee trees grow.
Meet local farmers and learn how they harvest and dry beans.
Watch traditional roasting methods.
Taste fresh Rwandan coffee right at the farm.
3. Lunch at Rushel Kivu Resort(optional)
Enjoy a fresh local meal by the water at Rushel Kivu Resort, with views over Lake Kivu.
4. Local Night Fishing Experience
After lunch, join local fishermen on the lake:
Watch them preparing the nets, lamps, and wooden boats.
Listen to the songs they sing to guide and encourage each other.
See how they catch sambaza fish using old fishing methods under the stars.
This peaceful night experience connects you to the local culture and traditions of Lake Kivu
Starting Point & Pricing
Kibuye (shorter & better price)
Gisenyi (Cost go higher)
Buick Contact & Booking
Phone / WhatsApp: +250789474864
Email: visitlakekivu@gmail.com
Come and experience the real nature, stories, and culture of Lake Kivu all in one perfect day.
EXCELLENT Based on 53 reviews Posted on Karoline BrunswickerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great time and experience on the lake Kivu. The boat trip with hike over Napoleon's island was superb, our guide knew a lot about plants and animals, also we took some time to watch birds and see a monkey on monkey Island. Also we could plan everything individually. We hired kayaks the other day, which was so easy! I would highly recommend kayaking on the lake, it was great 😊Posted on Michèle MartiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wir hatten einen wunderschönen Ausflug mit Aimable. Wir fragten sehr kurzfristig am Abend vorher an und konnten am Morgen bereits los. Er war zeitlich sehr flexibel und holte uns sogar am Bootssteg des Hotels ab. Wir genossen die gemütliche Fahrt, die Erzählungen zum Lake Kivu und den Tieren. In 2.5 Stunden sahen wir viele Kormorane und auf der Star Island Affen und die Fledermäuse auf der Napoleon Insel. Es war eine wunderschöne Zeit auf dem Lake Kivu und hat auch den Kindern gut gefallen. Herzlichen Dank Aimable für die wunderschöne Tour!Posted on Martina LansTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great boat trip and excellent guide!Posted on Todd PTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great island boat trip around the lake Kivu. The guide was very engaging and upbeat and honestly he made the whole trip. Highly recommend as nothing to fault it at all. 5* experience.Posted on Anthony BoysTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Patrick was very knowledgeable. The boat tour took us to many places. The price is reasonable.Posted on oolabodeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was truly a trip of a lifetime to Rwanda, shared with family and friends while celebrating a milestone birthday, and the Lake Kivu boat tour was without a doubt the highlight for our entire group. I would highly recommend this experience. Our package included a hike up Napoleon’s Hat Island, which was absolutely worth it — the views from the summit were breathtaking, and the sound of the millions of birds that call the island home made it even more special. The guides were fantastic: very knowledgeable, calmly talking us through the landscape as we cruised across the lake, and incredibly supportive during the hike. They encouraged us every step of the way, making the climb enjoyable and manageable for everyone. It was a real adventure, and we learnt so much about this beautiful lake. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again given half the chance. If you’re visiting Rwanda, this is an unforgettable experience and an absolute must-do on Lake Kivu.Posted on Olan OshTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This company is truly remarkable in professionalism. Provide very detailed tourism experience and going far beyond expectations to make sure all guest had a blast of experience. I boldly recommend their servicesPosted on HJGTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professionelles Team , sehr schöne Inseltour mit einem prima gepflegten Boot. Schwimmwesten und Wasser an Bord, bequeme überdachte Sitz- und Liegeflächen. Umfassende Erklärungen zur Umgebung und Tierwelt.Posted on Yohan RignacTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Super tour en bateau. Nous voulions voir des animaux, le guide a pris le temps pour nous repérer tous les oiseaux des îles. Nous avons même vu un cobra. A répondu a nos messages whatsapp rapidement. A recommander.Posted on Nathalie VanvelthovenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We managed to arrange a last minute boat tour thanks to the quick communication of our guide. We took the boat to Napoleon’s Hat Island where we hiked to the top and past the bats. We were able to take a quick swim in Lake Kivu and then watched the monkeys and wild life on the other islands nearby. Our guide Aimable was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Thank you!