3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour
Overview of the 3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour
Experiencing our 3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour by Universal Journeys Rwanda which offers an exciting mix of exploration, culture, and natural beauty. This three days Lake Kivu adventure begins with immersive visits to some of the lake’s most iconic islands, including Napoleon Island, Peace Island, Monkey Island, and various agricultural islands, each offering a unique insight into the region’s biodiversity and way of life.
As part of this enriching 3 days Lake Kivu adventure and culture tour, you’ll also enjoy a brief stop in the charming lakeside town of Kibuye before heading northward to Gisenyi, a beautiful town located on the Rwandan border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here, travelers get the rare opportunity to witness life at the edge of two nations and appreciate the peaceful coexistence of communities on both sides.
The journey continues as you drive back toward Kigali via Musanze in Rwanda’s Northern Province. Along the way, the 3 days culture tour in Rwanda with Lake Kivu adventure includes a captivating visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll learn about traditional Rwandan customs, local medicine, marriage ceremonies, and ancestral dance.
This visit is a highlight of the 3 days Rwandan culture tour, offering unforgettable cultural interaction and perfect photo opportunities with the stunning backdrop of dormant volcanoes. Ideal for travelers seeking both leisure and learning, this 3-day Lake Kivu tour combined with a cultural tour delivers the perfect balance of lakeside relaxation and authentic cultural immersion—an exceptional 3 days adventure in Rwanda.
Itinerary of 3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour
Day 1: Kigali – Kibuye & Lake Kivu Islands Exploration
Your journey begins with a morning pick-up at 06:00 AM from your hotel in Kigali by your professional driver-guide. Enjoy a scenic 3.5-hour drive to Kibuye, a charming lakeside town on the shores of Lake Kivu. Upon arrival, your first stop will be a visit to the Environmental Museum, where you’ll gain insights into Rwanda’s ecology and sustainable practices.
Afterward, enjoy lunch in a serene setting followed by some relaxing time by the lake. In the afternoon, embark on a guided boat trip to explore the famous islands of Lake Kivu—including Napoleon Island, Monkey Island, Peace Island, and Agricultural Island—each with its unique features and stories. After a full day of adventure, check in to your hotel around 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Kibuye – Gisenyi & Evening Fishing Experience
After breakfast, depart Kibuye at 8:00 AM and drive along the scenic lakeside route towards Gisenyi, one of Rwanda’s most vibrant lake towns. Enjoy a midway stop to admire the beautiful tea plantations that carpet the hills of Western Rwanda.
Arrive in Gisenyi around noon and enjoy lunch before checking into your hotel. Spend your afternoon relaxing by the lake or taking in the peaceful atmosphere. In the evening, witness or participate in the traditional night fishing experience with local fishermen on Lake Kivu—a cultural and scenic highlight that captures the spirit of Rwandan lakeside life. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: Gisenyi – Musanze – Kigali (Cultural Tour & Return)
Begin your final day with a guided tour around Gisenyi town, including a visit to the border point between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo—an eye-opening experience that offers a look at the shared history and daily life between the two nations.
After exploring Gisenyi, start the return journey to Kigali. On the way, stop in Musanze for lunch and a cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you will learn about Rwanda’s traditional customs, including ancient medicine practices, royal marriage ceremonies, and vibrant dance performances. It’s also a perfect opportunity to capture memorable photos with the dramatic backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Arrive back in Kigali by early evening for drop-off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your unforgettable 3-day Lake Kivu adventure and culture tour.
✅ What’s included in 3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour
- Transportation 4×4 jeep
- Meals and soft drinks
- Wi-Fi internet
- Bottled water
- Professional driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation
- Night fishing activities
- Boat fees
- Museum
- Pick-up & Drop-off
❌ Exclusions in 3 Days Kivu Lake Adventure and Culture Tour
- Anything not explicitly mentioned.
🧳 Important Information
Kigali Car-Free Days:
Please be aware that Kigali observes car-free hours on the first and last Sunday of every month from 07:00 AM to 10:00 AM. During this time, certain roads are closed to vehicles. Our tours will continue as scheduled, with alternative routes planned to avoid restricted areas.
Umuganda – National Community Service Day:
On the last Saturday of each month, Rwanda holds a nationwide community service activity known as Umuganda, taking place from 08:00 AM to 11:00 AM. On these days, tours will begin at 12:00 PM to comply with local regulations.
What to Bring:
We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, and bringing a sun hat and sunglasses to ensure comfort, especially during warm weather.
Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable, and all sales are final. Please ensure your travel plans are confirmed before making a reservation.
Book for this Culture & Lake Adventure
Verified Rwanda Home of Big five Animals/ Akagera national park. Good safari Tour with Universal, animals were spotted very closer and guide John provided the necessary insights for animals behaviors/ Life style, we sow faux in big five which is not bad at all, Food was delicious too with lake view behind us.The list of animals viewed is too long: Elephants, buffalos, hypos, crocodile, giraffe, Lion, zebras, impala, Birds,.........Thank you John and your company to make this Tour enjoyable and funny. i highly recommend it to Anny one.Thank youSandrine.Posted onVerified Amazing Experience from the state of Florida in the USA My experience was amazing from the start (booking) to the end of the tour! They contacted me and advised me what was needed for the tour via WhatsApp. Additionally, they were patient in answering all of my questions. The driver Shadady was skilled and knowledgeable. He was the best!! The porters helped me make it to the top to see the gorillas after having breathing issues due to the high altitude. We trekked up the mountain for 2 hours because the gorillas kept moving. We were able to see the silverback!! The guide Francis was knowledgeable and ensured we were all okay. I would highly recommend this company for your needs. My husband and I had an amazing experience!!Posted onVerified Exciting adventure with expert guides! The gorilla trek exceeding my expectations. Our driver and guide, Christian, did a great job of navigating busy traffic to get us safely to and from Volcanoes National Park. He managed the gorilla permits and park fees so we did not have to think about it. The trek was the adventure of a lifetime! The expert guide and gorilla trackers found our gorilla family right away and primed us on how to behave. Porters were friendly and available to carry bags and provide assistance as needed. Trekking in the park involved some slipping & sliding on roots, so I think you have to be ok with falling down. After the trek, Christian met us with a thoughtful refreshment and took us to a delicious restaurant. Highly recommended.Posted onVerified Kind guide/driver Good choice for safari experience, Universal has been a good and professional company for my trip in Akagera national park , Christian my guide went beyond my expectations , we drove all corners and find out the animals, We have been able to spot Elephant, big troop of buffalos, hyena , zebras, giraffes, birds, crocodile , lions, hypos,...... Thank you Christian to make this safari Easy and Possible. i highly recommend it to any one. Thank you.Posted onVerified Top notch animals experience/ Akagera Amazing animals safari in Rwanda with my colleagues, within a short free period of our business trip in Rwanda we have booked the safari in Akagera one of the best national park of Rwanda, The company has provided excellent service and Richard the guide was friendly and passionate for his career job, he knows animas for any type and size. we did all park from southern to northern and have definitely enjoyed the safari, i can' wait to give recommendation for any one wish visit Rwanda and especial Akagera, Plan and Book Universal they are The Champion. Thank you.Posted onVerified Passionate Guide, Incredible Wildlife, Perfect Day! We had an unforgettable safari experience in Rwanda with Christian as our guide. From the very beginning, it was clear that he truly cares about the animals and the park. His passion and knowledge made the entire trip both exciting and educational.Christian made sure we felt safe, comfortable, and well taken care of the whole time. He explained what we were seeing in a way that was easy to understand and answered all of our questions with patience. Thanks to him, we were able to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, hippopotamus, and so much more—it was incredible!If you’re looking for a guide who is professional, caring, and genuinely invested in giving you the best experience possible, I highly recommend booking a tour with Christian. He truly made our safari one we will never forget!Posted onVerified Great experience It was a great experience with this company. On time . Professional. Highly recommend. Our driver was the best! Forgettable experiencePosted onVerified Memorable safari. Thank you very much for tour was a great experience! Definately Will do ir again. Our tour guide picked us up at the hotel early in the morning driving its about 3 hours and he took the time to explain everything we see during our way. Thank you Shaddi for taking us and driving so we can see a lot of the animals. We traveled to Kigali as a delegate of jehovahs witnesses our first time in Africa. And people are helpful and friendly. We went for breakfast as well where we meet a lot of friends there. He wasn’t in a rush. Thank you once again!! Highly recommended!!Posted onVerified An unforgettable trip to Uganda! 🦍🌿 Thanks to Rwindy, we had an exceptional experience: We had the chance to experience emotional highlights: watching mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, walking alongside chimpanzees, meeting elephants, lionesses, and so many other wildlife... All in absolutely spectacular landscapes, between jungle, savannah and misty hills, visits to schools and villages, all in breathtaking landscapes.Lodges (not high-end but very comfortable), tasty food with vegetarian options everywhere, and above all a remarkable guide, passionate and attentive, contributed greatly to the success of the trip.Surprisingly, we didn’t meet any French, only Belgians, Germans and Americans. A destination still little frequented... and to discover absolutely!Posted onVerified Vacation trip I came to Rwanda with my entire family in vacation trip, we did a trip of two days in Akagera national park our tourist guide was Christian he really managed time he came on time for a pick up and he gave us a short well understandable briefing. On our way he drove us well, he could answer every question we could ask up to the park after we arrived in the park he suggested us about doing bot trip experience on ihema lake and we spotted all aquatic animals such as hippos, crocodiles and different species of birds. We saw Elphant and buffaloes drinking water on the lake actually this experience was very impressive we even spotted four out of five big animals as well others like giraffes, antelope. I would like to conclude by thanking universal ventures especially tourist guide Christian I am kindly requesting that who ever come to travel in Rwanda with universal ventures would ask for Tour guide Christian on his or her safari thanks ❤️
