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Lake Kivu Boat Trips: Experience the Tranquility and Hillside Views of Lake Kivu, Rwanda
4.9
26 Ratings
Rubavu
Experience the tranquility and hillside views of Lake Kivu on a boat trip in Rwanda. Explore the islands in Karongi or enjoy a sightseeing tour in Rubavu. Pair your boat ride with a coffee tour, hike, or night fishing experience.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Nyamyumba Hot Springs - Visit the hot spring and enjoy a local massage, available exclusively in Rubavu.
![](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/11/ee/b7/79.jpg)
What's Included
- On-board WiFi
- Snacks
- Life Jackets
- All fees and/or taxes
Additional Information
Primarily in Karongi and Rubavu (Gisenyi), a tranquil boat ride on Lake Kivu offers breathtaking hillside vistas. Whether you choose a boat trip to the islands in Karongi or a lakeshore sighting tour in Rubavu, you can also include a coffee tour, a hike along the Congo Nile trail, night fishing activities, among others. Safety instructions will be provided before setting off and throughout the journey.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
New Tam-Tam Bikini
Avenue de la Production
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(26 Ratings)
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Navigator564932
Jul 26, 2024
Beautiful and informative - Sheba was a great guide. They met me at my desired location, Lakeside Bar and Restaurant and then we went around the lake and she pointed out all the cool spots and explained some of the history. The fishing village was cool. I took the trip from Gisenyi, but apparently Kibuye has more stuff to do.
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X6803tnkarinel
Jul 22, 2024
Not to be missed! - An outing not to be missed with many discoveries: the walk on Lake Kivu, the magnificent view from Napoleon Island, the fishermen of Sambaza, the animals: monkeys, bats, swimming cows...
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Namdahtours
Jun 1, 2024
Visit Rwanda - For nature lovers this is a must do whenever you are in Rwanda. #visitRwanda. Visited the several islands in Lake Kivu and the one that got our attention most was the island with the swimming cows.
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Margauxl416
Feb 1, 2024
Amedé is a golden guide - Amedé is a golden guide who shared with us the history of the lake and its culture. We were very happy to have shared a day with him. The experience on his boat will remain unforgettable for us.
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746jacekl
Dec 12, 2023
Boat trip on Kivu Lake - The trip was very pleasant and interesting. Josiane is very professional and kind, providing a lot of interesting facts about the history and nature of Lake Kivu. We did a trek to the top of Napoleon Island, passing through flocks of bats flying amid the treetops. This experience exceeded my expectations for a short boat trip. Those three hours made my day.
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H5693sipeterw
Sep 5, 2023
Night fishing with Josiane was a highlight of our trip - We loved our boat trips on Lake Kivu with Ames Boat Tours. One of the highlights of our month in Rwanda was an evening with the night fishermen, setting off from Cormoran Lodge at Kibuye and following their three connected fishing boats and watching them make their first catch of the night. We hadn't expected to be out on the lake until after 9pm but our wonderful guide, Josiane, persuaded us to hang around - and the result was the most magical experience. We watched the fishermen choose their spot to fish (amid a torrential thunderstorm!), drop their nets and place their lights to attract the fish. And then we waited, our boat tied to one of theirs, enabling us to listen as the crew members rested and spoke gently on their phones, or listen quietly to music (yes - there is even phone signal in the middle of Lake Kivu!), to the constant backdrop of sloshing water between the boats. This was simply stunning. Then suddenly, the nets were being hauled up, to produce a surprisingly small catch. Thank you Josiane for a memorable event - and for showing the marine corps who challenged us when travelling back to Cormoran Lodge in the dark, the required paperwork and permit! We also took a boat to Napoleon Island from Cormoran Lodge and climbed to the top - where we met Denise Uwimana, who has written a book on her experiences of the genocide. And another boat from Gisenyi to a coffee plantation for a fascinating lesson in how the beans go from tree to cup.
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Odyekfred5
Dec 12, 2022
Absolutely first class touch boat ride on Lake Kivu - I called to book a boat ride on last minute and Shema immediately confirmed my booking and pick me up and my lodge
I enjoyed the excursion and learnt more about the local people, the lake and surroundings
The boat is the best local boat on the lake with great service
Cold drinks and soft drinks are offered during the ride
Do not hesitate to book
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827annd
Sep 26, 2022
Definitely the best way to travel form Karongi (Kibuye) to Rubavu (Gisenyi) - We wanted to travel from Karongi (Kibuye) to Rubavu (Gisenyi) and boat is definitely the best way to do it.
AMES Boat Tours were excellent. The communication and flexibility with arrangements was superb. The boat arrived on time, we had life jackets, water and plastic covers for our bags in case it rained. Shema also suggested a couple of stops along the way to visit a coffee production plant and a bee keeping experience which were very enjoyable and interesting. All in all our boat trip with Shema and his colleagues was one of the highlights of our trip to Rwanda.
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Esthervandick
Sep 1, 2022
Great experience on lake Kivu! - Great experience to see lake Kivu by boat. We went to the hot springs with healing minerals from the vulcano and learned a lot about Rwanda, the area, the lake and the fishing. Our guide spoke good English and knew a lot!
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Raf
Jul 4, 2023
A pleasant experience - Very nice trip. Quickly got in contact with our guide, Josiane, who was willing to make changes according to our needs. The trip itself took 2-3h, during which we got detailed explanations on the surrounding and made a hike on one of the islands. Overall a very pleasant experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor