WHAT CAN I DO IN LAKE KIVU?
Lake Kivu – Lake Kivu Beach Tour – Lake Kivu Holidays
Lake Kivu is situated along the boundary between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lake Kivu is a remarkably pristine and stunning crater lake that is part of the Albertine Rift region of East Africa.
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Due to the absence of crocodiles, hippos, or bilharzia, the lake is suitable for swimming and boating. Along the lake’s edge, it is simple to travel between villages and see how people live their lives through fishing. Visiting the lake will provide you a well-deserved opportunity to unwind and unwind as your trip to Rwanda or your tour of the Congo.
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Lake Kivu is the sixth largest in Africa with a surface area of 2700 square meters and is located at a high elevation of 1460 meters (4790 feet) above sea level. The DRC (58%) and Rwanda (42%), which are split nearly evenly, The volcanic activity in the area is caused by the rift’s own plates, which are slowly drifting apart.Although the lake is mostly free of harmful marine life, it is notorious for another sleeping monster 200 meters below the surface: masses of methane gas created by local bacteria and volcanic activity are trapped in the water.
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Lake Kivu Swimmers and marine animals close to the lake’s surface are not at risk from the gas. However, the phenomenon known as “lake overturn,” which is the release of the confined gases into the air above the lake, concerns scientists. Although they are unsure what could cause Lake Kivu to overturn, scientists believe that nearby Virunga volcano eruptions may be the cause. Currently, there are over 2 million people living around the lake in small, thriving communities in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Many of them are visitors.
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The people who live around Lake Kivu primarily rely on fishing and subsistence farming; however, they also raise cattle, plant tea, plant coffee, and keep honeybees. If you’d like to watch and taste fresh coffee being made from bean to cup, you can visit the coffee processing facilities in Cyimbili and Kinunu. People brew beer on the islands and along the coast. Chemical engineers, mechanics, and other workers are employed in the methane extraction industry from the lake and in the hydroelectric power generation industry. The tourism sector, which includes hotels, markets, stores, and restaurants, also generates additional revenue for the localities.
Lake Kivu is encircled by lovely round hills that each provide a panoramic view of the lake, its islands, and the surrounding mountains. One can wonder at the lake’s clarity and the numerous fish that swim close to the surface wherever one goes on the lakeshore, which is in some places sandy and in others rocky. Take a dip off a pier into the crystal-clear, chilly sea while enjoying a lunch by the waterside among palm trees that are lazily waving.
Enjoy sea kayaking close to Kibuye and navigate your boat through the serene seas to Peace Island or Bat Island, which is home to 5 million fruit bats. Friendly inhabitants who love to chat with lake tourists and provide information about their homes, families, and cultures may be found on the islands of Nkomo and Bugarama. In the neighboring marshes, you can also see pelicans, kingfishers, and cormorants. You may eat regional specialties like sambaza, a tiny, fried fish served whole and garnished with lime, and akabenzi, a pork dish prepared with bananas, at any restaurant.
There are three lakeside settlements to choose from on the Rwandan side of the lake. The most distant town from Kigali, Cyangugu, is home to stunning views and a grand old mosque. From the peaceful lake resorts of Kibuye, you easily access the Bat Island and Peace Island, or you can party with the locals next to the expansive sand beaches of vibrant Gisenyi. The lake is well-known for being a great area for friends, couples, and families to unwind before or after a gorilla tour in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park.
