Unparalleled Wildlife Experiences

Lake Kivu

Discover Lake Kivu in western Rwanda, where mountain-framed shores, kayaking, island boat trips and the Congo Nile Trail create a peaceful extension to your safari.

PRIVATE & SMALL-GROUP TOURS

CAREFULLY SELECTED LODGES & CAMPS

FLYING DOCTORS EMERGENCY COVER INCLUDED

TATO CERTIFIED

PERSONAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY

TANZANIA KENYA UGANDA RWANDA ZANZIBAR KILIMANJARO

EVERY SAFARI BEGINS WITH A CONVERSATION

462+ VERIFIED TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS

TAILOR MADE EAST AFRICAN SAFARIS

TRUSTED SAFARI SPECIALIST SINCE 2010

Country
Rwanda
Region
Western Rwanda
Recommended Stay
2–3 Nights
Best Known For
Lake Views & Congo Nile Trail
Overview

Lake Kivu brings a slower rhythm to a Rwanda journey. Its mountain-framed shoreline offers peaceful lakeside stays, green islands, kayaking, boat trips, coffee experiences and access to the scenic Congo Nile Trail.

At a Glance
Landscape:
Emerald waters, green islands, sheltered bays and mountain scenery
Wildlife:
Waterbirds, forested hills, islands and peaceful lakeshore scenery
Safari Style:
Lakeside stays, boat trips, kayaking, cycling and hiking
Suitable For:
Couples, families, active travellers and post-safari relaxation
Why Visit This Destination?
A Restful Safari Finale
Slow the pace beside the lake after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe.
Kayaking & Boat Trips
Explore sheltered bays and green islands by kayak or boat while enjoying mountain views and the peaceful rhythm of lakeside life.
The Congo Nile Trail
Walk or cycle scenic sections of the Congo Nile Trail through terraced hills, coffee-growing communities and lakeside landscapes.
Safari Through the Seasons
JAN–FEB
Warm Lakeside Days
Generally drier conditions suit kayaking, boat trips and relaxed time beside the lake, with warm days and cooler evenings.
MAR–MAY
Lush Green Season
Seasonal rains enrich the surrounding hills and create vivid scenery, quieter stays and dramatic views between showers.
JUN–SEP
Drier Outdoor Season
Drier weather makes this a popular period for kayaking, cycling, hiking and combining Lake Kivu with gorilla trekking.
OCT–DEC
Short Rains & Quiet Shores
Short seasonal showers refresh the hills while leaving time for boat trips, coffee experiences and peaceful lakeside stays.

Every season offers a different way to experience East Africa, from dramatic wildlife encounters and seasonal movements to lush landscapes and quieter safari moments.

Ready To Experience The Wild?

Lake Kivu

Discover Lake Kivu in western Rwanda, where mountain-framed shores, kayaking, island boat trips and the Congo Nile Trail create a peaceful extension to your safari.
Let's Talk
Start Planning
Your Safari

Tell us what you’re dreaming of and one of our East Africa safari specialists will respond within 24 hours with a personalised starting point for your journey — with no obligation.

+255 767 829 590
Speak with a SafariHQ specialist
+61 420 442 509
Also available on WhatsApp or Call
info@safarihq.com
Personalised replies within 24 hours
Safari Enquiry Form
To use reCAPTCHA, you need to add the API Key and complete the setup process in Dashboard > Elementor > Settings > Integrations > reCAPTCHA.

No commitment required · Response within 24 hours 

Your Safari Awaits
Every Great Safari Begins
With a Conversation.

Every SafariHQ journey is built entirely around you — your interests, your pace and your preferred style of accommodation. There are no fixed departures, only carefully crafted experiences.

4.9★
Guest Rating
20+
Years in East Africa
100%
Tailor-Made
TATO
Member
ATTA
MEMBER
(function () { 'use strict'; const MAP_URL = 'https://safarihq.computersprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/safarihq-east-africa-map-final.svg'; const destinations = { tanzania: '#country-tanzania', kenya: '#country-kenya', uganda: '#country-uganda', rwanda: '#country-rwanda', zanzibar: '#marker-zanzibar', kilimanjaro: '#marker-kilimanjaro' }; /* * Find the map currently rendered * inside the JetMenu mega menu. */ function getMapContainer() { return document.getElementById('safarihq-map'); } /* * Highlight a destination. */ function activateDestination(name) { const container = getMapContainer(); if (!container) { return; } const svg = container.querySelector('svg'); if (!svg) { return; } /* Remove all previous active states */ svg.querySelectorAll('.is-active').forEach(function (element) { element.classList.remove('is-active'); }); const selector = destinations[name]; if (!selector) { return; } const target = svg.querySelector(selector); if (!target) { console.warn( 'SafariHQ destination not found:', selector ); return; } target.classList.add('is-active'); } /* * Detect which destination is being hovered. */ function getDestinationFromElement(element) { if (!element) { return null; } const names = [ 'tanzania', 'kenya', 'uganda', 'rwanda', 'zanzibar', 'kilimanjaro' ]; let current = element; while ( current && current !== document.body ) { if (current.classList) { for (const name of names) { if ( current.classList.contains( 'destination-' + name ) ) { return name; } } } current = current.parentElement; } return null; } /* * Global hover handler. * * This is deliberately attached to * document because JetMenu creates * its mega content dynamically. */ function setupHoverHandler() { if (window.safariHQMapHoverReady) { return; } window.safariHQMapHoverReady = true; document.addEventListener( 'mouseover', function (event) { const name = getDestinationFromElement( event.target ); if (!name) { return; } activateDestination(name); } ); } /* * Load the SVG into the Elementor * HTML widget. */ function loadMap() { const container = getMapContainer(); if (!container) { return; } /* * Don't load the SVG repeatedly. */ if ( container.dataset.safarihqLoaded === 'true' ) { activateDestination('tanzania'); return; } /* * Prevent multiple simultaneous requests. */ if ( container.dataset.safarihqLoading === 'true' ) { return; } container.dataset.safarihqLoading = 'true'; fetch(MAP_URL) .then(function (response) { if (!response.ok) { throw new Error( 'SafariHQ map could not be loaded.' ); } return response.text(); }) .then(function (svgText) { container.innerHTML = svgText; const svg = container.querySelector('svg'); if (!svg) { throw new Error( 'SafariHQ SVG element was not found.' ); } /* * Let our CSS control the dimensions. */ svg.removeAttribute('width'); svg.removeAttribute('height'); container.dataset.safarihqLoaded = 'true'; container.dataset.safarihqLoading = 'false'; /* * Tanzania is the default state. */ activateDestination('tanzania'); }) .catch(function (error) { container.dataset.safarihqLoading = 'false'; console.error( 'SafariHQ Destination Map:', error ); }); } /* * Main initialization. */ function initializeSafariHQMap() { setupHoverHandler(); loadMap(); } /* * Initial page load. */ if ( document.readyState === 'loading' ) { document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', initializeSafariHQMap ); } else { initializeSafariHQMap(); } /* * Watch for JetMenu inserting the * mega-menu content dynamically. */ const observer = new MutationObserver(function () { if ( document.getElementById( 'safarihq-map' ) ) { loadMap(); } }); observer.observe( document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true } ); })();