Things to do in Kibuye Rwanda

Things to do in Kibuye Rwanda, Kibuye is a city in Rwanda’s Western Province. It is the administrative center of the country’s Karongi District and is officially known as Karongi. The city is on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, between Gisenyi and Cyangugu. It is about 135 kilometers (84 miles) west of Kigali, which is the capital and biggest city of the country.

There are three important towns on the shore of Lake Kivu in Rwanda. In the middle, between Gisenyi (to the north) and Cyangugu (to the south), is Kibuye. This small town by a lake is one of the most popular adventure spots in Rwanda. It has the best resorts because the water is so clear and the hills are so green.

Kibuye is also only 85 kilometers away from Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is known as Rwanda’s primate paradise and is where chimpanzee trekking trips take place. A beautiful waterfall can be found just a few kilometers from Kibuye. In Kibuye, there is a shrine to the genocide that remembers how 90% of the Tutsi people who lived there were killed during the Rwandan Civil War.

How to Get to Kibuye

The road leads from Kigali to Kibuye, which is about 135 kilometers away. Kigali International Airport is about 140 kilometers away. It takes two to three hours to drive from Kigali to Kibuye. Between Kigali Nyabugogo Bus Station and Kibuye, there are also buses that run often. The Capital bus line, the Impala Express bus line, and some other minibuses make it up.

It costs about 2500RFr to go one way. You can also get to Kibuye from Cyangugu or Gisenyi. There used to be only one bus that went from Gisenyi to Kibuye. Today, though, there is a Poctual bus service that runs all day and night.

Things to do in Kibuye

Check out Lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu is a calm lake with fresh water in western Rwanda, close to the border with Congo. It is a Great African Lake that lies between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The big river Ruzizi gets its water from Lake Kivu. It runs south and into Lake Tanganyika. It has a surface area of 2,700 square kilometers, a maximum width of 48 kilometers, and a length of 89 kilometers. Kibuye and other nearby towns on its beautiful beaches depend on it for their survival.

On the Rwandan side of the lake, there are several beautiful white beaches where people can relax and soak up the sun. People can take beautiful boat rides on the lake and its beautiful islands, swim in the Bilharzia free freshwater lake, go kayaking, sport fishing, or birdwatching, or they can just rest at one of the beautiful lodges or hotels on the lake’s shores.

Go see Ndaba Rocks and Waterfall.

One of the most interesting places to visit in Rwanda is Ndaba Rocks, which is also known as “Urutare rwa Ndaba” in the local Kinyarwanda language. People come to the Karongi area to see the rocks and waterfall because they are beautiful and because of the stories that surround them. The rocks are about 28 kilometers from Kibuye and are well-known among people who love wildlife and hiking. From Kibuye, you can drive to the Ndaba rocks and waterfall.

Things to do in Kibuye

The Congo Nile Trail is a popular trail for hikers and bikers, and it’s one of the best places to start exploring while on a safari in Rwanda to Kibuye. From the north to the south side of Lake Kivu, the Congo Nile Trail runs for about 227 kilometers (141 miles), offering exciting adventure travel along the water. The trail does not directly lead to the Nile or Congo rivers, even though its name suggests that it does. Neither of these rivers are in Rwanda. Its name comes from a place where the Congo and Nile rivers meet.

Besides its name, the Congo Nile Trail goes through some of the most beautiful parts of Rwanda. A lot of people agree that it is one of the best bike trails in East Africa. The road was made to go along the beaches of Lake Kivu, which have beautiful views and other interesting things to see. The trail goes from the northern Rubavu (Gisenyi) area to the southern Rusizi district, stopping at Rutsiro, Karongi, and Nyamasheke along the way. It can be used for hiking and biking trips. There are two ways for tourists to see the Congo Nile Trail: a 10-day hike or a 5-day bike trip.

The Genocide Memorial and the Environment Museum are both worth seeing.
Like Kigali, Kibuye has a shrine to the Rwandan genocide in Home Saint Jean. There is a lot of information on this site about the 1994 genocide, as well as about Rwanda’s past and culture. The Kibuye slaughter Memorial was built to honor the people, mostly Tutsi people from Kibuye, who were killed on purpose during the slaughter. Along the shore, there is also an environmental center that helps people learn about all the different types of energy and how they affect the environment.

Visits to the Kibuye community

One more fun thing to do in Kibuye is to check out its bustling neighborhoods. Go to the nearby Kibuye villages to learn about the people who live there and how they live, and to help them stay alive. Some of the things you can do are buy souvenirs, visit a local school or town, and volunteer. Through community visits, tourists can not only connect with the locals but also give back to them by tipping the local tour guides, which helps them make a living.

Go to Muyira Hill.

In Kibuye, Lake Kivu, on Muyira Hill, more than 4,000 people came together to stand up against the brutal Interahamwe who were killing people during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. People from the area fought for their lives from the top of Muyira Hill with stones and spears. They were ready to protect themselves at any cost. People can go to the hill and learn about the important historical events that happened there.

Also, Kibuye is a province that is only an hour’s drive from the famous Volcanoes National Park. While you’re visiting the beautiful town, you can visit the endangered mountain gorillas and get up close and personal with them.

Where to Stay in Kibuye

There are more hotels in Kibuye, and they are spread out all over the city. The prices range from cheap to moderate to high-end, and all of them have the latest services and comforts. Home Saint Jean is the most cheap place to stay in town for people on a budget. The simple guesthouse is perched on a rock above Lake Kivu, so you can almost always see beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The rooms at the hotel aren’t very fancy, but the kitchen bar is well-stocked and the water is always hot.

Cormoran Lodge is the most popular choice for a moderately priced place to stay. On a hilltop near Lake Kivu, the camp has the best views of the lake and the area around it. This cabin is made up of 5 cottages that are all made of wood, which makes it feel cozy.

The Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, on the other hand, is better for people who want a more fancy and comfortable stay in Kibuye. The hotel is farther to the north, in the town of Gisenyi. It has its own beach and a big pool. This big resort looks and feels more like a beach resort in Europe than a resort in Rwanda. A great place to stay and relax.