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One-day Kivu Lake Adventure: Experience a Boat Trip to Napoleon and Other Islands
4.9
17 Ratings
Kibuye
Embark on a thrilling one-day adventure in Kivu Lake. Take a boat trip to Napoleon and other islands, enjoy a delicious lunch, and visit Musanze town. Explore better with us!
Embark on a thrilling one-day adventure in Kivu Lake. Take a boat trip to Napoleon and other islands, enjoy a delicious lunch, and visit Musanze town. Explore better with us!
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Lake Kivu - Upon arriving in Kibuye, a boat will transport you on a scenic water journey to Napoleon Island, as well as Monkey and Peace Islands on Lake Kivu. During your time on Lake Kivu, you will disembark at Napoleon Island for a hike, allowing you to take in the stunning views both during the hike and from the summit. After returning from the…
- Lake Kivu - Upon arriving in Kibuye, a boat will transport you on a scenic water journey to Napoleon Island, as well as Monkey and Peace Islands on Lake Kivu. During your time on Lake Kivu, you will disembark at Napoleon Island for a hike, allowing you to take in the stunning views both during the hike and from the summit. After returning from the boat excursion, enjoy a delightful lunch by the water before traveling north to the town of Gisenyi.
- Migano Cafe - On the route through Musanze, there will be a stop at Migano Cafe for a brief rest, where you can stretch your legs and use the washrooms before continuing on to Kigali.
What's Included
- Professional driver-guide
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Boat trip admission to Napoleon and other islands in Kivu lake
- Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city
- 220-240V electrical current for phones and portable devices
- Shared transport, or private if opted
- Professional driver-guide
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Boat trip admission to Napoleon and other islands in Kivu lake
- Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city
- 220-240V electrical current for phones and portable devices
- Shared transport, or private if opted
What's Not Included
- Breakfast
- Non-local drinks with lunch
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
- Breakfast
- Non-local drinks with lunch
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
Additional Information
Depart from Kigali City at roughly 06:30, or around 08:30 for late-night reservations, and journey for approximately four hours to experience a scenic boat ride to Napoleon and additional islands in Lake Kivu. Delight in a midday meal prior to travelling north and returning to Kigali City through the Northern province’s town of Musanze.
Experience More With Us!
Depart from Kigali City at roughly 06:30, or around 08:30 for late-night reservations, and journey for approximately four hours to experience a scenic boat ride to Napoleon and additional islands in Lake Kivu. Delight in a midday meal prior to travelling north and returning to Kigali City through the Northern province’s town of Musanze.
Experience More With Us!
Location
Lake Kivu
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(17 Ratings)
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Tenacity75
Jan 4, 2026
Lake Kivu visit - We took a bus ride from Kigali to lake kivu. It took us 31/2 hr from Kigali the road was smooth but really windy, but our bus driver did good. We got to kivu on time, got into the boats accompanied by our guide. He was really nice. While on the lake we saw different island and some had names some didn’t. The one that stood out to me was the one the called the pregnant lady. It sure looked its name. Got to the island where we had a 45 mins hike to the top and 45 mins back. On that island they had these really healthy looking cows that frequently come to drink water by the edge of the island and our guide told us that they were brought there by people to graze, but that no one lived on the island. After we got down we headed to the another island on the lake that had monkey. When they noticed we were around and gave them bananas they suddenly started increasing in number, we kept a safe distance though it was nice. Left that island to see more of the lake and got to see some really nice looking lake resorts while heading back to our starting point. It was a nice experience and a most do will in Rwanda. Make sure you visit Lake Kivu!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stay43210633251
Jul 16, 2025
Highly recommended! - Excellent contact with Olivier, very professional communication. The guide was very punctual at the agreed pick-up point (even 5 minutes early). Our driver/guide (Anaclet) was fantastic. He was able to explain an incredible amount about the country and culture. We had a really great day and will always be happy to recommend the agency and the people involved.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_k
May 29, 2025
Lovely day trip in Lake Kivu with excellent driver - The day-trip to Lake Kivu was lovely, especially since we had nice weather. Our driver, Bachou, was excellent and was with us all the times. The only thing we did in the lake was the boat ride (and the lunch). The boat ride lasted almost four hours because we had an issue with the engine of the boat and we had to wait for a replacement (they were able to replace it though within 30mins) but other than that the boat ride was great. The views from Napoleon island were great although the route there isn’t as well maintained as we expected. At the end we also opted to see the swimming cows. It was a fun thing to see but there was an extra $10 fee per person. To return to Kigali we chose to return using the same road we came instead of passing from Musanze as it was a few hours quicker.
Review provided by Viator
937bonnieh
Aug 14, 2024
Beautiful views throughout the tour - The tour was very well-organized. I loved the beautiful views throughout the trip (while we were driving to and from, and also at the lake). Jean-Paul was great. He showed up on time, made sure I got to see more of the countryside during our drive, and even got us back to Kigali after the tour at a reasonable hour. Would definitely recommend going on this tour to see more of the country.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Victor_p
Mar 10, 2024
The driver was excellent-... - The driver was excellent- an honest, knowledgeable, safe, and fun driver to spend the day with! I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Johannes_b
Dec 17, 2023
The lake, but also the trip! - Kivu lake is wonderful. But also the trip from Kigali to the lake and back is awesome. You’ll see half of Rwanda with gorgeous landscapes, numerous towns and villages and a colourful street life. Never a dull moment if you’re interested in how Rwandan people live!
Review provided by Viator
O4207xochristianr
Oct 2, 2023
Excellent Tour Guide! - Lake Kivu was a beautiful location, and were fortunate to have a great tourguide who took the time to explain the history of the area. Very charismatic as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad747260
Sep 25, 2023
Superb country with varied landscapes and welcoming people - Kigali deserves several days of visits and walks, Akagera park is unmissable, the volcano park is financially unaffordable, Lake Kivu and its surroundings as well as the northern lakes are superb...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T9194dnemilyg
Aug 12, 2023
Lake Kivu Rwanda - Our 1-day Lake Kivu trip was very enjoyable. We traveled with our guide, Shadidi, who was very knowledgeable and organized. Our boat was captained by Captain Tony, who took us to many of the local islands, including a hike up Napoleon Island, which affords a commanding view of the Rwandan coastline of Lake Kivu. It was beautiful. On the island is a colony of bats, which were fun to see. Also, we stopped by Monkey Island and were not disappointed...a family of monkeys came to meet us. The boat ride was excellent and the company engaging. I recommend this trip wholeheartedly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Climber06192009659
May 5, 2023
Excellent service and a great experience! - Overall an excellent experience. Shadady was a great driver guide. Happy, calm and has a great sense of humour. He learned me a lot about Rwanda during our ride to the lake and back. The ride itself is already amazing as you can see the more rural areas between Kigali and Lake Kivu.
At the lake there were some amazing views during the boat trip and on Napoleon island. I was lucky to spot some monkeys at Monkey island as well. Communication before the trip was excellent. Definitely would recommend going on a trip with countryside Rwanda.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
