Kibuye (Karongi), Lake Kivu
Kibuye
A bay town on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, where headlands and small islands interlace. Take a boat trip on the lake and visit Napoleon Island to see thousands upon thousands of fruit bats.
The town is built along the lake bay. Recommended activities include a boat trip to Napoleon Island (home to huge colonies of fruit bats), swimming at Peace Island, and watching fishermen sing as they head out on the lake at dusk to catch silver fish. A half-day boat trip costs about US$30–60 per boat. The Kibuye Memorial Church, which commemorates the victims of 1994, overlooks the lake. From the northern side of Nyungwe, it takes about 2–3 hours via the Congo-Nile Ridge Road. The lake water is free of bilharzia (schistosomiasis), so swimming is possible, but take care.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Bisesero Genocide Memorial
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Nyungwe Canopy Walkway
- Murambi Genocide Memorial
- Isumo Waterfall Trail
- Gisakura Tea Estate
- King's Palace Museum
- Rwesero Art Museum