All About The Amazing Lake Kivu, Rwanda.
ABOUT LAKE KIVU
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika.
BRIEF HISTORY
Rwanda is possibly one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. In stark contrast to the grisly stories and shocking images of the 1994 genocide, the Land of a Thousand Hills is now stable and peaceful.
It’s also handsome. Take, for example, this side of Rwanda you likely haven’t seen: the calm of Lake Kivu, the country’s largest body of water and one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, it forms part of the Great Rift Valley.
Unimaginably, bodies were once seen floating in Lake Kivu but, today, it’s an ideal destination for fatigued visitors seeking R&R after tracking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Long gone are the hate propaganda and machetes. This lake is now scenic and safe.
Visitors need not be fearful of the volcanic activity below its deep waters either. In 2008, the Rwandan government started extracting methane released from the lake bed not only to prevent a volcanic eruption, but to harness the gas as a source of power in a country where 80% of its homes lack electricity. The potential of the initiative is vast and promising.
I made an overnight visit to Gisenyi, one of three sleepy towns on the edge of Lake Kivu. Just a few hours after my arrival, it lost power, underscoring the importance of the degassing strategy. But I didn’t fret. My camera batteries were fully charged, and let’s get real: if Rwandans can cope with electricity outages on a regular basis with laid-back ease, I could certainly do the same for a mere 20 hours.
Thankfully, though, I didn’t need power to enjoy the lake’s palm-fringed beaches, like this narrow stretch of golden sand with thatch-roof umbrellas at my guesthouse, Paradis Malahide.
EXPERT GUIDE ON TOURING LAKE KIVU, RWANDA
SERENA HOTEL AVAILABLE FOR STAY IN LAKE KIVU, RWANDA
The Breathtakingly beautiful lake lies on the western border of the country with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Beside the lake in Gisenyi town is the mid-range Lake Kivu Serena Hotel that comprises of a selection of three-storied structures built on a well-landscaped property.
Offering a private beach to its guests, it also provides facilities such as a free-form swimming pool with a wading section for kids, adequate spa services, wellness center, the “Maisha Health Club” and two tennis courts. You will spend your lake-side holiday in one of the 66 rooms the Kivu Serena Hotel has including 37 standard rooms, 23 family rooms, and 6 Luxury Suites, all of which face the lake. Of the Standard and Family Rooms, you can request for the ones with king-sized beds or twin queen-sized beds while the Luxury Suites include a separate living cum working area. Physically challenged tourists can stay in the room designed for their comfort while families can request for interlinked rooms with cribs or cots.
If you intend to smoke, please let the hotel know in advance so they can arrange for the room accordingly. Your accommodations include a seating area, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee making supplies, electronic safe for storing valuables and an attached balcony on the upper floors and patio on the lower floor where you can sit and revel in the beauty of Lake Kivu. Ensuite bathrooms come with a hairdryer and bathtub, though; the rooms with the luxury suites also include a shower area.
The hotel offers you room service, but you can opt to have your meals in their restaurants. The Kiyaga Restaurant offers meals buffet style, and you can choose from a selection of Rwandan and global cuisine. Order snacks at the Ziwani Beach Cafe and Bar or at the Lake View Bar and Terrace. When not enjoying the hospitality of Lake Kivu Serena, you must go exploring the quaint lakeside towns that are linked by scenic routes (view map of Lake Kivu). Trip out to the tea and coffee gardens of Rubavu, and later, visit the processing factories at Kinunu and Cyimbili where you can taste the superb flavors of Rwandan coffee. You could also go biking and hiking on the Congo Nile trail or indulge in the various water sports on the lake. Lake Kivu is safe for swimming in, and you can also go kayaking or traditional canoeing.
ADDRESS TO LAKE KIVU AND SERENA HOTEL
You can google search Lake Kivu Serena Hotel to see details on reviews, ratings and current price.
See Map BELOW:
Watch video showing lifestyle on lake kivu and serena hotel
AMAZING PHOTOS OF LAKE KIVU AND SERENA HOTEL RWANDA
The Hotel
REFERENCES: tinamagazine.com,africanmeccasafaris.com
