The Kivu Experience on a Boat

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Lake Kivu, renowned as one of the largest freshwater lakes in Rwanda. I commenced my exploration from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, and made my way to Rubavu, a town that sprawls along Lake Kivu’s edge. After disembarking from a small boat that ferried me across the lake, I began exploring the lake. As we journeyed along Lake Kivu, I was entranced by the picturesque beauty of my surroundings. Lake Kivu sits languidly in a basin encompassed by rolling mountains, each of their flanks covered in thick, dark green woods; the lake’s waters are an entrancing shade of blue.

The boat tour landed us on several islands, including Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island. While we waited for the boat to take us to Napoleon Island, we saw several indigenous birds that inhabit the lake, among them African fish eagles and kingfishers. We enjoyed the splendid sandy beaches on Amahoro Island and took a dip in the sparkling waters of Lake Mutanda. One of my favorite aspects of the boat cruise was watching local people engage in their fishing activities. We saw them dropping their nets into the lake and pulling up the day’s catch.

It was intriguing to explore the old practices of fishing and see how the entire fishing industry functions and impacts the local economy. As the sun set and darkness began to creep over the lake, we paddled back to the lodge. Our dinner was ready: grilled fish served with the freshest of local veggies. After a long day of hiking, I relished every bite. There was no better way to top off the “boat and lakeside” portion of our adventure than to enjoy a simple meal of freshly caught fish. Our guide had told us that as recently as a decade ago, the fishing community struggled to survive. Now, he said, the fishery is the point of the economy around the lake.

Whenever the opportunity arises for you to travel to Rwanda, I wholeheartedly recommend a boat tour of Lake Kivu as the experience of a lifetime! Should you choose to explore the lake, you must be adequately prepared, and I will help you with that. First and foremost, sunscreen is essential because the sunlight is intense, and you’re in even more danger of being sunburned while out on the water. Bring along a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Cap: A cap is very effective in keeping the sun out of your face. On a particularly hot day, the cap will also help prevent your head from overheating. Pair it with a bandana and the combination will protect your neck from sunburn and excessive heat as well. If you think swimsuits do not do much in the way of covering your body, think again! My swimsuit has saved me several times from skin damage. Since most swimsuits are made of quick-drying, lightweight material, they also work well for diving or wading into the shallows and for swimming. Just remember, the water can be very cold, so pack a towel!

Stay well hydrated in the sun; carry a water bottle to fill up throughout the day.

Bring along a camera (or an updated phone with a good camera) to capture not only the shots that show off the beautiful boat ride you’ve taken but also, and more importantly, the moments from that ride that mean something to you, the particular memories that you’ll want to relive after the fact.

You may be fortunate enough to avoid getting bug bites while you’re on the boat or in the area around it, but if you’re not, then you’re probably going to find it pretty hard to enjoy the ride. You might want to take along some insect repellent just in case.

Whether you have a meal or munchies affects how long your boat trip will last. If you plan to eat before you take a fishing tour, your boat will probably return in time for the afternoon snack. If you take along some munchies, they should not be over-the-top in the way that trail mix can be if it is mostly sweet. While some tours may allow you to use a credit card, it’s wise to bring cash for tipping your guide and for the souvenir purchases you will want to make to commemorate your boat trip. A Light Jacket. Whether it’s in the boat or by the water, your tour guide may request that you wear a light long-sleeve jacket. Rwanda’s tropical weather can surprise you with cool temperatures, especially if you’re on the water in the evening.

In general, taking a boat cruise on Lake Kivu in Rwanda is an amazing experience, as long as you are equipped with the right gear and the essentials that can make your excursion more enjoyable.