Top 7 Activities At Lake Kivu : While on a safari at Lake Kivu there are many activities that one can engage in. Lake Kivu is one of the fresh water lakes in Rwanda which is shared with its neighbor the democratic republic of Congo. Lake Kivu is the eighth largest lake in Africa and the largest within Rwanda making it very important to the people of Rwanda. The lake is a home to 28 different fish species, water birds among others. The most top 7 activities include;
BOAT CRUISE
Boat cruise is the most done activity on Lake Kivu and all the boat cruises are rewarding with a number of attractions that can be spotted. In case one has a longer boat cruise, they can visit the different islands on the lake such as Amahoro Island, Napoleon Island among others.
BIRDING
While at Lake Kivu one can decide to have a birding safari. The lake has a number of bird species that can be spotted on the shores of the lake, others can be seen catching their prey from the lake. Bird species include knobs billed duck, white-faced whistling duck, yellow-billed stork, sacred ibis, African woodpecker, African king fisher, yellow throated greenbul, ashy flycatcher among others. These can be spotted while on a boat cruise or during the walks along the shores of Lake Kivu.
SPORTFISHING
This is an amazing activity at Lake Kivu. The fresh water lake is a home to a number of fish species such as the redbreast tilapia, blue-spotted tilapia, Nile tilapia, long fin tilapia, Lake Tanganyika sardine among others. With a number of different fish species to be caught makes the activity an interesting one and worthy of the energy exerted. The activity allows one to keep a fish to take home as a reward of participation which is motivating.
SWIMMING
With the existence of fresh and clean waters as well as bilharzia free makes it conducive for swimming. Therefore after the long walks and the scorching sun one can decide to take a dip into the waters to relax and cool off from the long day activities. However in case one doesn’t know how to swim, they can engage in other activities or there are people who can teach you how to swim. There are different beaches along the lake with lifeguards to make it a safe activity while on a safari.
VISITING ISLANDS
In case one has many days to spend at the lake you can explore the different islands on the lake such as Nyamirundi island where there is a large coffee plantation and you can have the opportunity to understand the whole coffee-making process from harvesting, drying, roasting and then grinding for consumption. You can have a chance to taste the organic coffee that is made from the land of a thousand hills with deep fertile soil. You can visit the Napoleon Island where you have a chance to see a number of bats within the trees. The island has a connection with the Rwanda genocide where many people ran to the island for safety but when the Hutus came to know about it they burnt the whole island with the people who were seeking refuge. Other islands include Peace Island or Amahoro Island, Serene Island, Nkombo Island, Gihaya Island, Akeza Island among others.
BIKING
Once on the shores you can have the biking as you experience the breeze from the lake but biking isn’t the only sport that is carried out along the shores. Other beaches along the shores of Lake Kivu, one can participate in activities like beach soccer, volley ball, kayaking, windsurfing and so much more so as to make the trip a memorable one.
VISITING THE IMBABAZI ORPHANAGE
While at Lake Kivu, you can as well visit the imbabazi orphanage which was established by Rasmond Carr who was an American humanitarian as well a friend to the late Dian Fossey who was a very important factor in the conservation of the mountain gorillas. The orphanage was established to act as a home to the orphans whose parents were killed during the Rwanda genocide of 1994. With the loss of many people during the genocide, many children were left with no parents and when Rosamond saw this, she decided to establish the orphanage in order to take care of the orphans. Therefore while on your safari you can visit the orphanage and even donate to them or give emotional support.