Birding around the shores of Lake Kivu : Lake Kivu is the biggest lakes in Rwanda. It is located in the western part of the country, stretching from the north in the foothills of the Virunga mountains down to the south near Nyungwe forest national park. The lake is shared between the Democratic Republic of Congo and thereby making up the biggest part of the border between the two countries.
The lake is one of the beautiful lakes in the central Africa. It is surrounded by lush rolling hills and dotted with many beautiful green islands. This gorgeous scenery is largely because of its location in the Albertine Rift Valley. And how with a number of quality hotels, resorts, and beaches that have been set along the lake. It offers a perfect place to get away from the hustles and battles of the city. And those planning to explores the beaches lake kivu.
Rwanda is a small country in the heart of Africa that has in recent years attracted a growing number of tourists from around the world. The country is famous for its remarkable natural beauty and friendly local people and its rich history and culture make it a captivating place to visit, be sure to explore the country’s Lake Kivu to enjoy a tranquil beach experience.
Lake Kivu offers relaxing birding tours because of its rich water environment for the bird’s life. Bird watching at the lake shores can enable you see a number of bird species that are seen on the shores of lake some can be seen catching prey from the lakes which is usually the fish, the African kingfishers, Osprey, the African Woodpecker, Knobs Billed Duck, White-faced Whistling Duck, Yellow-billed Stork, Sacred Ibis, and the Hadada Ibis, Common Waxbill, Spotted Yellow-throated Greenbul, Speckled Pigeons, Chin-spot Batis, Ashy Flycatcher. Other bird species can be seen while o the boat cruise or during walks along the shores of Lake Kivu
Activities to combine with bird watching around Lake Kivu
Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
One of the major Tourist Activities one can do on Lake Kivu are boat safaris , Most tourists after their bird watching experience around Lake Kivu opts for this fascinating boat cruise experiences on the Lake as they get an opportunity to enjoy its serenity , visit some islands within the lake, spot various bird species and enjoy the peaceful surrounding sceneries. The boat cruise on lake kiva can be done from the different on shore towns mostly Karongi and Gisenyi however can also begin from define hotels that are very close to the shores at different time intervals, scheduled or unscheduled in the morning, afternoon or sunset with experienced local guides.
Swimming
Lake Kivu is a fresh water lake with clean blende free waters which makes it suitable for swimming therefore after you long walks and the enjoy sun fill free to take a dip in the waters to have a relaxing, calm adventure in the water and if you’re a not a good swimmer and you’re interested in the activity at Lake Kivu gives the best, worry not there are friendly people that are willing to teach you or help you out while you go swimming. There are different beaches along the lake with lifeguards to make your activity safe.
Bike riding safari Along Lake Kivu
A tourist can also do a bike riding on Lake Kivu, there is a great and commonly done rips along the Congo Nile trail which provides tourists a great opportunity to cycle through Rwanda’s fascinating scenery and terrains along Lake Kivu through the deep villages on the upper country from the northern part . This experience commonly gives tourists fascinating adventure moments off the beaten track with greatly rewarding and beautiful sceneries of Lake Kivu and its surrounding that include magnificent views on the other side of Congo.
Kayaking On Lake Kivu
Kayaking on lake kivu is one of the other unjoyful adventure experience tourist activities on Lake Kivu, with your relatives , you can duck yourselves in the tranquility of lake kivu as you fill through the scenic shores to relax your minds, enjoy the surrounding attractions and connect with nature. Kayaking rip can be done in the morning, afternoon or evening hours. Beginning points can also be from Gisenyi, Kibuye or a paradise kivu resort among others.
Visiting islands
Depending on your time at the lake, if you have longer time to spend on the lake, you can visit the different islands on the lake, for instance, Nyamirundi Island where there is a large coffee plantation where you will have the opportunity to understand the whole coffee-making process from harvesting, drying, roasting and then grinding the coffee for consumption. You will have a chance to taste the organic coffee that is made from the land of a thousand hills with deep fertile soil. During the many people fled to the island for safety in order to hide from the Hutus but when the Hutus got to know about their secret they came to the island and burnt it all with all the people that were seeking refuge there. Other islands on the lake include a serene island, Peace Island or Amahoro Island and so on.
Pack list for bird watching safari around Lake Kivu
When planning to go birding around Lake Kivu, there essentials to consider on your birding safari adventure such as;
Light Rain Gear; Lake Kivu’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack a lightweight rain jacket.
Insect Repellent; Keep those pesky bugs at bay.
Binoculars; High-quality binoculars are essential for spotting birds from a distance.
Sturdy Hiking Shoes; Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the diverse habitats around Lake Kivu.
Drinking Water and Snacks; Stay hydrated and energized during your bird watching excursions.
Field Guide; bring a birder’s book to help identify the various species you encounter. You can find these at tourism shops or park offices.
Camera or Smartphone; capture those beautiful avian moments!
Sun Protection; Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to shield yourself from the sun.
Notebook and Pen; writing down observations and notes about the birds you see.
Comfortable Clothing; Dress in layers for varying temperatures.
Backpack; Carry your essentials conveniently.
Best time for bird watching safaris around Lake Kivu
The best time to for birding safaris in Lake Kivu is during the dry months of June to October and December to February, this is therefore the best months for excellent bird watching at the Lake Kivu, with a maximum and minimum temperatures just a bit cooler than that. Choosing the right time to travel is important, and we as Achieve Global Safaris will help give you helpful guidance base on your travel experiences
Lake Kivu is one of the indisputable destinations in Rwanda that any tourist visiting Rwanda can’t forget to call on. This lake can be visited all the time of the year and various travelers both local and international have visited this magnificent water pint destination.
Where to stay during birding safari around Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu has got its accommodation facilities where you can stay and therefore there is no need for you to doubting about your accommodation arrangements and some accommodation facilities include lake kivu Serena Hotel, Garden Place Hotel, Inn on the Lake, Paradise Malahide, Kivu Paradise Resort, the Palm Beach Resort, Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Gorillas Lake Kivu, Western Mountain Hotel, Stipp Hotel Gisenyi and among other places where you can stay
