Lake Kivu day trip from Kigali: Boat tour, islands and museum

The boat ride circles islands you can only reach by water.

A full-day private tour from Kigali to Lake Kivu includes hotel pickup, Environment Museum entry in Karongi town, a boat tour of the lake visiting different islands, a hike on Napoleon Island for views of the water and surrounding mountains, and return transport to Kigali. The nine-hour itinerary accounts for six hours of transfer time between the city and the lake. Your guide speaks English or French and travels with you throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kivu Lake adventure and museum visit

• Pick up from Kigali
• Transfer to Karongi town
• Visit Environment Museum
• Boat tour on Lake Kivu
• Hike Napoleon Island
• Boat tour back to hotel
• Lunch at hotel
• Visit Amusing Waterfall
• Learn history of Ndaba rock
• Transfer back to Kigali

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Kigali hotel and a drive to Karongi town on the shore of Lake Kivu. You begin at the Environment Museum, where the guide explains the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region before moving to the water. From there, you board a boat for a tour of the lake, stopping at different islands and landing on Napoleon Island for a hike to a viewpoint overlooking the water and the mountains beyond.

After descending from Napoleon Island, you return by boat and head to lunch at your hotel before the drive back to Kigali. The route includes a stop at Ndaba Waterfall, where your guide shares the history of the site and the man the rock formation is named after. Muhanga Town, about an hour from Kigali, is also part of the itinerary. Your guide is trained to explain what you are seeing and to adjust the pace to your comfort. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Kigali hotel.
• Environment Museum entrance.
• boat ride on Lake Kivu.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 9 years): free · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Unique Africa Ventures

Is this one for you?The nine-hour day is split between six hours of driving and three hours at the lake and museum, so plan this as your main activity and keep the rest of your day light. Families with young children can go, though the long transfer time works best if your child travels well in a vehicle.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (5 to 9 years): free; Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much of the day is spent driving between Kigali and Lake Kivu?

Transfer time accounts for six hours round trip, leaving the remaining three hours for the museum, boat tour, island hike and waterfall stop.

What islands does the boat visit on Lake Kivu?

The boat tour visits different islands on the lake. Napoleon Island is the main landing where you hike to a viewpoint of the water and mountains.

Is the Napoleon Island hike difficult?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the hike. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy.