Category: Tourism

It is among districts with natural features and other touristic attractions luring visitors to prolong their stay. Located in Western Province, the district has been taking advantage of its proximity to Lake Kivu separating Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to fast track development.

Like many other districts, Karongi is characterized by a hilly topography with attractive features as well as cultural and historical vestiges of great significance to the country.

These include the Congo Nile Divide, spectacular view of Lake Kivu shores, Methane Gas, Nyungwe National Park, Gisovu Tea Plantation, Muciro natural forest and Ndaba rock among others.

In consideration of these attractions, investors have also taken advantage of this opportunity to set up hospitality establishments for visitors to enjoy a memorable sojourn in the district. So far, the district has registered 14 hotels, majority of which being constructed at the shores of Lake Kivu.

Apart from hotels, the upgrading of infrastructures is also ongoing to make Karongi more attractive.

Below is a list of top ten hospitality establishments adding up to the magnificence of Karongi district:

{{Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel}}

Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel is a five-star facility located in Bwishyura sector at the shores of Lake Kivu. It has 10 rooms where the cheapest one is booked at US$200 per night.

{{Moriah Hill Resort}}

The four-star hotel is also built in the vicinity of Lake Kivu. A guest standing in each of the hotel’s room gets a better view of Lake Kivu.

Moriah Hill Resort has 19 rooms and a multipurpose hall with the capacity to accommodate 150 guests.

{{Kivu Lodge Hotel}}

Kivu Lodge Hotel is a four-star facility with 21 rooms and one conference hall. It is built at a peninsula located in Gishyita sector.

{{Bethany Hotel}}

Bethany Hotel is among hospitality establishments welcoming a large number of guests in Karongi. The four-star hotel has 55 rooms and four conference halls.

{{Golf Eden Rock Hotel}}

Golf Eden Rock Hotel is among prominent hotels in Karongi. The two-star hotel has 116 rooms, 3 multipurpose halls, with the capacity to accommodate from 300 to 30 people.

{{Romantic Hotel}}

The hotel located at the shores of Lake Kivu has 35 rooms, 2 conference halls with the capacity to accommodate from 80 to 25 people.

{{Delta Resort Hotel}}

Delta Resort Hotel is a three-star facility situated in few meters from the Environmental Museum in Karongi town. Located at the edges of Lake Kivu, the hotel has 20 rooms.

{{Rwiza Village Resort}}

The three-star hotel comprised of traditional buildings is located at the shores of Lake Kivu. It has 10 rooms and 1 multipurpose hall.

{{Home Saint Jean}}

Home Saint Jean is a two-star facility build at the edges of Lake Kivu. It has 33 rooms and 2 conference rooms.

{{Cormoran Lodge}}

The three-star hotel is situated at the shores of Lake Kivu and has seven rooms with the capacity to accommodate up to 10 people.

{{INZORA ROOFTOP CAFÉ}}

If you are looking for a place to relax alone, read a book while sipping on a cup of coffee sight on a magnificent landscape, you should probably check out Inzora rooftop café.

This quiet place is located in Kacyiru inside Ikirezi bookstore. It is a perfect place for bookworms. Their menu includes vegetarian meals and gluten free options which are affordable. They offer Takeout, Seating, Free Wi-Fi and Outdoor Seating.

{{GATE 10}}

On a first date, things can get a little bit awkward. It is better to go to a luxurious place where you will both have lots to talk about like GATE 10. The latter is full of interesting details that start up conversations. Located in Kimihurura, the place has an amazing interior design packed with significant meaning and other traditional features. If you love history, it is a plus. Besides, the menu is mainly Rwandan and very affordable.

{{SARAY SPA}}

Massage, waxing, facial? SARAY SPA is a good option. In this luxurious Spa, you can pamper yourself after a busy week in Kigali. Located in Kigali Marriot Hotel, the staff is friendly and professional. The treatments are wonderful accompanied by relaxing music. It is somewhat pricey but worth every penny.

{{BRACHETTO}}

For lovers of wine, check out BRACHETTO. Located in Kacyiru, Brachetto is a modern Italian Restaurant which uses fresh, quality products combined with a touch of creativity. An incredibly diverse wine list from Italy, France and South Africa. Brachetto is a good place to go out with your friends on Saturday night but you should keep in mind that brachetto is not easy on the wallet.

{{INEMA ART CENTER}}

If you are looking to have a free and fun creative weekend, INEMA ART CENTER is the place to go. Located in Kacyiru, the facility is filled with creative things to do like painting, gallery visiting and also a yoga class and dance performance, you should also stay for the happy hour. It is a place to go with your friends, girlfriend or spouse where you can do spontaneous activities together.

{{SPIDERMAN GAME CENTER}}

For an affordable fun place to take your Kids this weekend, you should take a trip to Masaka at the SPIDERMAN GAME CENTER and yes it is a thing! Kids are very into Spiderman these days. Spiderman game center will surely make your kids happy and as they say, ‘Happy Parents Happy Kids’.

{{KIGALI GOLF RESORT AND VILLAS}}

If you love golf or would like to start playing, start this weekend at KIGALI GOLF RESORT AND VILLAS. Kigali Golf Course in Nyarutarama is a beautiful 18-hole Gary Player Design Course. It is a great way to spend your weekend with some physical action. It is ecologically responsible for environmentalists and affordable with subscription options.

The weekend is starting. Make a budget, hit up your friends, go out and have fun within available means. Weekends in Kigali should be enjoyed to the fullest.

This commitment was formalised through Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, which includes ‘Ecotourism, Conservation and Payment of Ecosystem Services’ as one of 14 programmes of action.

{{Below are five ways Rwanda is promoting ecotourism and conserving its natural heritage.}}

{{Creation of Gishwati-Mukura National Park and designation as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve}}

In 2016, Gishwati-Mukura was established as a legally protected area and the Rwanda’s fourth national park. Four years later, the landscape was named among the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The rehabilitation of the Gishwati-Mukura landscape and the creation of the national park was made possible by the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC) Project implemented by Rwanda Environment Management Management Authority with the support of the Global Environment Facility through the World Bank, and the Forest of Hope Association.

This achievement has led to the sustainable conservation and management of Gishwati-Mukura National Park, new opportunities for community empowerment, education and research for sustainable development as well as for eco- and community tourism.

{{Mountain gorilla conservation and re-introduction of threatened and endangered species}}

The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board and in collaboration with conservation partners, has achieved success in protecting and increasing the endangered mountain gorilla population and conserving its habitat.

With community led conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif has increased from 480 in 2010 to 604 as of June 2016. Today, mountain gorillas are the only great ape species increasing in number in the world and the species were recently down-listed from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List.

In 2015, the Government of Rwanda teamed up with African Parks to reintroduce lions to Akagera National Park after two decades of local extinction. This conservation milestone was followed by the reintroduction of 18 critically endangered Eastern black rhinos in 2017, further advancing the restoration of the park’s biodiversity. In 2019, five additional rhinos from European zoos were translocated to Rwanda to increase the genetic diversity of the country’s rhino population.

As a result of these efforts, the populations of these endangered animal species have increased, playing a crucial role in saving them from extinction.

{{Investments in ecotourism}}

Rwanda’s tourism sector is the country’s leading foreign exchange earner. In 2019, the sector earned US$498 million. Within the industry, ecotourism is quickly becoming dominant, thanks to the demand from travellers seeking low-impact experiences.

Rwanda has positioned itself as a high-yield, low volume destination in keeping with its conservation-centric approach to tourism. This strategy has attracted several high-end lodges and professional management such as international brands including Singita, One&Only, Wilderness Safaris and Mantis Collection and local brands such as The Retreat, Amakoro Songa Africa, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and The Bishop’s House.

These and other hospitality brands have made a valuable addition to the tourism offering, providing a diverse range of world class accommodation and experiences and contributing to conservation efforts – especially reforestation. As a result, Rwanda has been recognised by leading international travel publications as one of the top global destinations for luxury ecotourism.

Rwanda’s conservation efforts would not have been a success without the power of partnerships. The Government of Rwanda works hand-in-hand with several conservation partners including the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, International Gorilla Conservation Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Gorilla Doctors, African Parks, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Albertine Rift Conservation Society and the African Leadership University among others. These partnerships support the promotion of biodiversity conservation, and enable Rwanda to invest in nature and communities.

{{Protection of national parks}}

The protection of national parks and payment of ecosystems count among significant conservation achievements in Rwanda. This has been achieved through the expansion of the Akagera National Park buffer zone, the long term protection of Nyungwe and Akagera national parks through a unique partnership with African Parks, as well as the rehabilitation and establishment of Gishwati-Mukura National Park.

The Government of Rwanda also recently announced plans to expand Volcanoes National Park due to its growing mountain gorilla population and vision for community livelihood improvement. This once in a generation initiative will expand the park by approximately 23%, increasing its size by 37.4 square kilometres (3,740 hectares).

To ensure the best use of community benefit funds, Rwanda promotes close ownership, participation and technical support from local communities. Promising projects include payment for ecosystem services schemes with tea factories compensating forest-adjacent communities for water filtration services provided by protected areas and promoting the rehabilitation of degraded areas such as Gishwati and Mukura forests.

In addition, 10% of park tourism revenue is invested in the communities surrounding Rwanda’s national parks, which fosters ownership and builds a constituency for conservation. Rwanda has also established a fund to compensate for any damage caused by wildlife, which is financed by 5% of tourism revenue.

Rwanda’s conservation efforts aim to maintain and expand the country’s protected areas as key economic assets supporting climate-resilience, and acting as havens for biodiversity and sources of vital ecosystem services.

{{Utilising Payment for Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital Accounts}}

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) occurs when a beneficiary or user of an ecosystem service makes a direct or indirect payment to the provider of that service.

The idea is that whoever preserves or maintains an ecosystem service should get an incentive for doing so. To promote this model of environmental conservation, Rwanda has partnered with Costa Rica and is developing a scalable PES system.

Rwanda has also developed Natural Capital Accounts for land, water, minerals and ecosystems (key natural resource pillars of economic development and sustainable growth). Natural Capital Accounts (NCA) are an important resource for tracking progress on socioeconomic, environment, and natural resource indicators.

The country has also set a target to allocate 37.7% of land to conservation in its National Land Use and Development Master Plan. This demonstrates the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to environment protection, natural resource management and climate change preparedness.

{{Rwanda is at the Forefront of Covid-Testing (and Thus Protecting) Their National Parks}}

All tourists and locals must provide a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours before entering park gates. This is to protect the animals in the parks including the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. And if travelers are spending a chunk of time in Rwanda, they have to make sure their Covid test is still within the 72-hour window, or they have to get another one (which means multiple Covid tests during their stay).

This is good news for visitors (and for the animals of Rwanda). Regular testing ensures those visiting the park are Covid-free. Travelers will have a strong sense of security visiting the national parks of Rwanda, knowing that the country places such a high value on keeping everyone safe and healthy. There are four national parks in Rwanda, all worth visiting.

{{Rwanda Opens the Newest National Park in Africa (and You Can Trek with the Chimps)}}

Gishwati Mukura National Park is one of the youngest national parks in Africa. In December 2020, the park officially opened its doors to the public (although with Covid, the park still has not seen many visitors). This means that parts of the vast montane forest that once stretched across much of central Africa now has permanent protection and is open to visitors.

Gishwati is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees, making it one of only two places in Rwanda to go on a bucket-list worthy chimp trek. There are also a variety of other primates visitors can see including golden and blue monkeys. The park is currently part of an ambitious landscape restoration program. Previously, the area was nearly depleted largely due to resettlement, illegal mining in the mineral-rich forest and livestock farming. Now, the park is addressing those issues by increasing the number of trees to improve soil fertility, stabilize slopes and regulate stream flow.

Additionally, park officials are working with people living in the surrounding areas to create positive impact on their livelihoods, which in turn offers the forest a better chance of regeneration in tandem with the potential to raise living standards in the longer term.

For tourists, the upside is that they can book a chimp trek now (which normally has a waiting period of three months to a year).

{{Visiting Rwanda’s Baby Gorillas}}

Each year, Rwanda holds a special ceremony naming the new baby gorillas born in the last twelve months. The ceremony is called Kwita Izina and this year it was held on September 25, World Gorilla Day. This year’s ceremony was the 17th anniversary of the tradition and the theme for 2021 is ‘Conservation and Sustainable Tourism – A Foundation for Future Generations’. A surprising 24 baby mountain gorillas have born in the country’s Volcanoes National Park over the last 12 months. To date, 328 baby gorillas have been named since the first Kwita Izina was held in 2005.

Visitors to Volcanoes can not only see the beautiful silverback adult male gorillas, but they can also see one of the adorable babies.

{ {{This article was first published by Forbes on 4th October 2021}} }

Another perhaps surprising fact? While the sense of adventure is strong, travel in Rwanda is also steeped in luxury. It’s a true safari destination in that sense. This is a bucket-list journey if ever there was one, where couples can cuddle up in incredibly intimate lodges and camps set in spectacular landscapes with wildlife unlike anything you could find stateside—not to mention Pinterest-worthy design and exceptional cuisine. It’s incredibly green, and not only when it comes to the colors surrounding you.

The country is a sustainable development leader in the world, practicing many thoughtful ways of protecting the planet’s resources.

Every Rwandan honeymoon must start in Kigali (home to the international airport), which you’ll find to be one of the cleanest—and safest—cities on Earth. It’s where you’ll find the ultimate boutique hotel introduction to this great destination: The Retreat by Heaven. With its 12 solar-powered, custom-built teak dwellings complete with patios, outdoor rain showers, and colorful printed bathrobes, this bolthole is an idyllic place to rest up, get acclimated, and explore the city. (If you’re looking to spend a bit less, there’s Heaven Boutique Hotel next door.) The cuisine at the adjacent open-air, buzzing Heaven Restaurant is some of Rwanda’s best, the result of an overwhelming successful social enterprise idea.

For less of a scene, Fusion Restaurant at The Retreat offers fine-dining vibes on a smaller scale.

By day, there’s plenty to engage with—from art and culture, fashion, culinary and nature tours by Heaven taking interested parties all over the dynamic city and its surroundings, to the somber yet must-visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, which provides the difficult and moving context you’ll need to interact in this ever-healing nation. For a caffeine fix, stop by Question Coffee. But for a more intoxicating beverage, visit the 1000 Hills Distillery, Africa’s first small-batch craft distillery—it gives tours and tastings, or you can simply go for cocktails.

The Inema Arts Center is a worthy visit, as is the Kandt House Museum if you’re history buffs. Fashion fans can’t miss Rwanda Clothing Store, a jewel box of a retail gem for both women’s and men’s clothing, plus, irresistible jewelry and accessories, and gorgeous home decor, all by a young local female designer.

After a couple days in Kigali you’ll be ready to commune with nature. Some travelers like to visit Lake Kivu, which lies across Rwanda’s western border and is a serene place to relax, hike, bike, and play in the water. For wildlife lovers, however, the ideal next stop is Akagera National Park, which was recently graced with its very first luxury safari camp, Magashi, by Wilderness Safaris. The slow, smooth drive there (four hours) feels quite long from Kigali, but it’s generously scenic, a constant stream of lush, patchworked hills rolling by like a sea of green carpet. Magashi guests are the only ones allowed to enter the park’s north entrance, giving them more exclusive access to, say, a large herd of elephants playing welcome wagon.

This is an escape that feels gloriously far from the real world, romantic and natural. There are just six luxury tents, each with a king bed swathed in rose-colored mosquito netting at its heart. Large wooden decks overlook shimmering Lake Rwanyakazinga, its prolific population of hippos constantly popping their heads up like whack-a-mole to say hello as you enjoy a drink from the extensive minibar or a yoga session using the provided mat (there’s a jumprope and resistance band, too). But that’s far from the only place to chill and appreciate your surroundings—there’s also a swimming pool with a view, a fire pit, a seductively lit communal lounge, and an outdoor deck where you can appreciate animals coming incredibly close, as the camp is not fenced. Mealtimes are special highlights, since the food—from buffet breakfasts and brunches to firefly-lit multi-course dinners—is positively mouthwatering.

Of course, as idyllic as it is at camp, what you go for is outside. Twice-a-day safari excursions happen by adapted truck as well as occasionally by boat, especially just before sunset, when cruising you might feel as if you’re in Switzerland or some other misty blue and green land of untold beauty. From the water—wine or G&T in hand—you might spot crocodiles, buffalo, silver monkeys, kingfishers, antelope, zebra, or even black rhinos. Game drives turn up white-tailed mongoose, hyena, warthog, leopard, giraffe, and many more species. You might spend the morning admiring lions with their profusion of cubs, playing in a pile like puppies, suckling, yawning, nibbling and cuddling to form bonds—and not a single other vehicle or tourist around.

A few days at Magashi and you will have settled nicely into safari life. But for as small as it is, Rwanda offers many different landscapes begging to be experienced. A helicopter could be arranged back to Kigali or, to extend the honeymoon, to the sumptuous tea plantation–adjacent One&Only Nyungwe House, backing up to the striking and serene jungle canopies of Nyungwe Forest National Park, where one offering is trekking to view wild—and shockingly humanlike—chimpanzees.

Whatever you do, make sure the grand finale takes place in the Virunga Mountains of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northeast, where inimitable primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey famously studied and lived aside mountain gorillas for decades. The over-the-top opulent options in that region are plenty, providing the cherry on top of a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Wilderness Safaris opened magical Bisate Lodge in 2017, and in 2019 Singita debuted Kwitonda Lodge, and One&Only followed with Gorilla’s Nest.

The latter feels more like a true luxury resort than an African camp, though your ecstatic drumming welcome feels wholly authentic. The property sits in a eucalyptus grove, landscaped beautifully with exotic imported roses and indigenous flora, the stories of which you can discover on a nature walk or mountain biking. With 21 individual dwellings up on stilts (the idea was not to cut a single tree) and hidden amid nature, there’s an incredible emphasis on pampering and privacy. A heated infinity pool with a state-of-the-art gym and pool bar, an indulgent spa using local ingredients such as coffee for out-of-this-world body scrubs, and ever-changing many-course meals informed by Rwandan flavors elevated for international appetites ensure the feeling is super-high-end and sophisticated.

At Kwitonda Lodge, an entirely different energy pervades. Sitting at the base of the Virunga Mountains, you’ll see a handful of jagged peaks and untamed grassy expanse serving as a buffer zone slash front yard to the eight suites, as deluxe, plush, and design porn-y as anywhere you’ve ever seen. By night, butlers escort couples back from the main lodge—encased in local cut stone and lined with curvaceous locally made terracotta brick and hand-woven accents—since buffalo are known to wander around (there’s even the occasional elephant or gorilla). Community is important here, and quite evident. There are large-scale artworks of many mediums, oil to vibrant paper scroll beads, and copper-clad lighting, creating an otherworldly yet incredibly comfortable atmosphere—rustic yet refined.

The standalone suites, featuring the same natural yet premium materials, are even more appealing to both the eye and body. They’re essentially the dream African abode. The warm palette of cozy textiles, leather, and wool play beautifully with the spectacle outside the massive picture windows (complete with window seats for reading, snuggling, or sipping vino or craft cocktails made at the chic kitchenette), not just nature at her best but also a private heated plunge pool and outdoor fireplace. The expansive bathrooms are host to not only a large soaking tub, showers (indoor and out), and double vanities, but a massage bed complete with incense and Tibetan singing bowl to set the mood. Heavenly spa treatments are done right there, ideally after your gorilla trek.

Speaking of, couples are educated by the staff conservation officer and wildlife specialist ahead of their trek. Before dinner—the meals at Kwitonda are endlessly delightful, with lovingly prepared tapas-style lunches and bright, vibrant dinners that might include a warm take on Caesar salad with crispy camembert cheese and broad beans, and gnocchi made of the iconic local potatoes with ginger butternut puree—you’ll get the lowdown on what to expect in an artifact-, book- and photograph-riddled conservation lounge alongside other guests. You’ll even get outfitted head-to-toe in the best protective, waterproof gear and, early the next morning, sent off with a perfect picnic lunch.

Of course, as much as there is to experience at Kwitonda House, not just eating happily but trying cooking interactions, basket weaving, stick making lessons, yoga, cycling, and visiting the Arakabo Nursery on-site (it’s here that much of the produce you savor is grown), the gorilla trek is the pinnacle. That journey is to some extent shaped by your guides, all of whom are incredible, and some of whom might have even known Fossey personally. But the gorillas are the ones actually in charge. For the trek, you’re put into a group of up to eight and assigned a gorilla group, the head of which is a dominant silverback male who, if you’re lucky enough to see his 400-pound self, will imprint in your mind forever.

The only sure thing, however, is that each outing is guaranteed to be unique and endlessly special. The first part involves some amount of hiking—fortunately you’ll hire a local porter to carry your hefty pack—that might be a breeze or could be a bit strenuous, through deep mud, weaving in and out of bamboo thickets and lush greenery, or maybe climbing higher into the Virunga Mountains. You might hear the gorillas first (after all they have almost two dozen different vocalizations) or maybe smell them, or you could even be greeted by a toddler beating his chest playfully. Once you reach them, you’ll get one life-affirming hour to observe their familiar behaviors, listen to their communications, and be moved by their intimate interactions—especially touching if there’s a baby in the group.

Words can’t do the experience justice—it’s something you truly must live to understand. Epic is an understatement. At the end of your adrenaline-filled excursion, when you return to Kwitonda Lodge, you’re met with a hot steaming towel, warm gluwein, and a staffer to remove your muddy boots and exchange them for plush slippers. You and your love might retreat to your suite for quiet reflection or a fevered recounting of the day’s highlights, take a dip, book another hike or trek to see golden monkeys, indulge in massages, or simply relax over some excellent South African wine and another memorable dinner. In many ways, it doesn’t get more adventurous or exciting than Rwanda.

{{This article written by Kathryn Romeyn was first published by BRIDES. }}

Rwanda’s scenery has always been a heady mix for me; one of rugged beauty, rich culture, attractive landscapes, impressive wildlife, and beautiful savannahs.

The land doesn’t demand your attention the way billboards do, or traffic lights, or people with their bright clothes and private thoughts.

Whether it’s staring into a clear night sky and imagining a curtain of black pierced by pinpricks of light from distant stars, or watching the animals stretch languorously, or trees towering majestically in their realm; I take these pictures, in the hopes of engraving every single movement, athletic prowess, or adventurous expedition that makes Rwanda so dear to my heart.

{{1. Wait for me, Tarzan!}}

A picture capturing an ape pooping mid-air. This image still sends me off in hysterics. A memorable moment that makes me miss the parks.

{{2. Share, Now!… Please?}}

A picture I captured of two birds trying to share a meal. The orange glow around the two birds gives it a wonderful feel of late autumn.

{{3. Color me Red}}

I took this picture on a super spontaneous trip to Kibuye. The soft rays cast from the late afternoon sun permeating the waters, bringing out all shades of red, green, and orange from within. As the sun sets, it gives off a mesmerizing, yet mysterious feel, to this shot.

{{4. Daydreaming in colors}}

The luxurious pelt and distinctive wondrous expression of this golden snub-nosed monkey evoked past days of daydreaming.

{{5. Eat your greens}}

The largest of all the great apes, six feet tall and weighing more than 400 pounds, achieves this impressive stature on a mostly vegetarian diet of roots, bamboo trees, and tree bark foraged in the thick forests of their habitat.

{{6. Straight out of a movie scene}}

Tucked away at the summit of Mount Bisoke, this beautiful crater lake is always a spectacular sight for sore eyes.

When I was perusing through my work, this dramatic capture brought out pure nostalgia. I would definitely hike again for hours, just to see this moment again.

{{7. Wild Majesty }}

A majestic African Fish Eagle perched on a branch in Akagera National Park, with its plumage perfectly in place.

{{Photo credits:}} {{Moses Niyonzima & Darcy Igirubuntu }}

The dazzling islands located in Lake Kivu with appealing lifestyle, Flora, Fauna are part of attractive landmarks luring tourists for prolonged stay in Rwanda.

Kivu the largest lake in Rwanda with two parts one being in Rwanda and the rest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

On Rwanda’s side, the lake touches four districts including Rubavu, Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi where different facilities including beach resorts and hotels were set up in the lake’s surroundings for tourists to enjoy seamless sojourn.

The lake is also home to various islands with unique attracting features giving delight to touristic explorations.

To discover more about these islands, IGIHE has spoken to touristic travel company known as ‘Golden Rwanda Safaris Ltd’ to get a deeper insight into the beauty of these islands.

The attractive Flora and Fauna, Bird sighting and hiking are among other things fascinating visitors.

{{Most prominent islands in Lake Kivu}}

{{Nkombo Island }}

Nkombo is the largest island in Lake Kivu extended to 29.7 square kilometers of which 7 km2 are covered by water while the remaining 22,7 km2 land is inhabited.

Nkombo is one of sectors of Rusizi district.

With approximately 2000 population, the eye catching island attracts a large number of people to explore the topographical structure and different trends of their culture like their unique ‘Amashi’ language and ‘Gusama’ traditional dances.

The majority of Nkombo’s residents force their meal upon fishery and trade to DRC. Many tourists are interested to experience the lifestyle of the island’s population found nowhere else in the country.

The island that had lacked infrastructure in the past is currently shining with electricity, safe water, schools, health centers and a hotel.

{{Gihaya Island}}

Gihaya Island is also located in Rusizi district next to Nkombo but it is relatively small. Tourists like visiting the island for hiking exercise and sailing on Lake Kivu.

The island’s lifestyle is similar to Nkombo residents.

{{Akarwa k’Abakobwa}}

The island located in Nyamasheke district holds great history in Rwanda’s history. It is the place where girls with unwanted pregnancies would be dumped in the ancient Rwanda.

Tourists from different corners including women often visit the island to explore the area’s features.

{{Nyamunini Island }}

Nyamunini known as Napoleon Island, is located on the side of Karongi district. It is one of most visited islands due to the presence of eye catching bird species and fruits’ variety.

{{Amahoro Island }}

Amahoro means ‘Peace’. Located on the side of Karongi district, the island is renowned for giving comfort to people seeking calm whose hearts are soothed as they hear to the beautiful symphony of singing birds and fixing glance at waving water.

{{Nyakarwa Island }}

Nyakarwa is located in Karongi district. It is also home to various bird species always whose continues whispers lures tourists to stay.

{{Mpembe Island}}

Located in Karongi district, Mpembe Island is managed by an individual who established a four-kilometer area for people to enjoy foot walks. The place is renowned for giving comfort to visitors exploring its green vegetation with fresh air in the middle of Lake Kivu.

NB: Elaborated islands are the most visited ones as there are many more Islands in Lake Kivu. In 2012, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) revealed that Lake Kivu is home to 250 islands, 56 of them being on Rwanda’s side.

The cabinet meeting held on 18th January 2021 put Kigali city under total lockdown and called on Rwandans to heighten vigilance in observing COVID-19 health guidelines in order to slow the spread of the virus.

The meeting also decided that only essential services will continue to be offered.

In order to comply with the directives, RDB has issued new guidelines for tourism activities to be respected until further notice.

As per issued guidelines, travel for tourism within Kigali, other provinces and districts is permitted with strict adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.

The guidelines also read that arriving and departing passengers must present a negative SARS-CoV 2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) taken within 120 hours prior to arrival or departure.

Designated hotels for arriving passengers will remain open under strict COVID-19 preventive measures.

{{Other guidelines}}

Tourism activities including visits to national parks, museums and other tourist attractions as well as city tours will remain open to international and domestic tourists countrywide with strict adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. All tourism service providers facilitating guests will be required to inform and share itineraries with RDB.

Travelers including drivers, traveling to tourism within entities within Kigali and other provinces and districts are required to fill and submit movement requests together with copies of negative COVID-19 test results to visitrwanda@rdb.rw at least 24 hours prior to the trip.

Tourism establishments are required to apply for clearance for their staff on weekly basis at least 24 hours prior to movement.

Hotels will only be permitted to host essential conferences with a written approval by RDB.

RDB has reminded the public to adhere to health and safety directives issued by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 11 548 people have been tested positive out of 804 337 sample tests of whom 7580 have recovered, 3820 are active cases while 148 have succumbed to the virus.

Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.