1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure
Overview of the One Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure
Experience a captivating blend of culture and scenic beauty with our 1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure, crafted by Universal Journeys Rwanda for travelers seeking a meaningful connection with Rwandaโs heritage and landscapes. This well-curated one-day journey combines cultural immersion with a lakeside escape, making it the perfect short yet enriching experience in Rwanda.
This 1-day culture tour with an adventure at Lake Kivu begins with an early morning departure from Kigali, taking you through the stunning countryside towards Gisenyi. Along the way, youโll enjoy a cultural stopover in Musanze, where youโll immerse yourself in Rwandaโs rich traditions and local customsโan essential part of this 1 day Rwanda culture tour. This cultural encounter adds depth and authenticity to your journey, offering insights into the daily life, music, dance, and history of the region.
After the cultural experience, continue your journey to the shores of Lake Kivu, one of Africaโs Great Lakes nestled within the breathtaking Albertine Rift. Upon arrival, the lakeโs tranquil beauty and surrounding hills create the perfect setting for relaxation, exploration, and lakeside activities.
Whether youโre drawn to its calm waters, scenic boat rides, or lakeside charm, this 1-day Lake Kivu adventure trip combined with cultural tour offers a perfect escape into the heart of Rwanda. Ideal for travelers short on time, the 1 day culture tour in Rwanda paired with a lakeside retreat delivers an unforgettable day of discovery, connection, and natural wonder.
Itinerary Details ofย one day Culture Tour and lake kivu adventure.
Your day begins with an early morning departure from Kigali as your driver-guide from Universal Journeys Rwanda takes you on a scenic drive toward Gisenyi. As you travel through Rwandaโs northern region, youโll be treated to breathtaking views of lush green hills and terraced landscapesโearning Rwanda its well-deserved nickname, โThe Land of a Thousand Hills.โ
Along the way, enjoy a refreshing stop in Musanze at Migano Cafรฉ, where you can stretch your legs, use the washrooms, and grab a quick drink before continuing the journey. This comfortable break sets the tone for a day of both relaxation and exploration.
Upon arrival in Gisenyi, immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of Lake Kivu with a peaceful boat ride across its serene waters. Discover hidden islands, soak in panoramic views, and enjoy the calm lakeside environment. Youโll also visit the natural hot springs, known for their therapeutic propertiesโoffering a gentle โmassageโ effect and believed by locals to have healing qualities.
As the afternoon sets in, begin your journey back to Kigali. En route, make a cultural stop in Musanze with a visit to IbyโIwacu Cultural Village, located near Volcanoes National Park. This enriching experience provides insight into traditional Rwandan lifeโincluding ancient medicine practices, traditional weddings, and lively dance performances. Itโs also a perfect moment for memorable photographs with stunning backdrops of dormant volcanoes.
Return to Kigali in the early evening, concluding a remarkable day filled with cultural discovery and lakeside adventure.
โ Whatโs Included of one day Culture Tour and lake kivu adventure.
- Comfortable transportation in a 4ร4 safari vehicle
- All meals and soft drinks during the tour
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access in the vehicle
- Bottled drinking water throughout the day
- Services of a professional, English-speaking driver-guide
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or residence in Kigali
โ Exclusions of one day Culture Tour and lake kivu adventure.
- Any services or items not specifically mentioned above
Important Information:
Kigali Car-Free Days:
Please note that Kigali observes car-free hours on the first and last Sunday of every month from 07:00 AM to 10:00 AM. During these times, some roads are restricted, and we plan alternative routes to ensure a smooth experience.
Umuganda (Community Service Day):
On the last Saturday of each month, Rwanda holds a national community work program known as Umuganda from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. On these days, tours begin at 12:00 PM.
What to Bring:
We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. A sun hat and sunglasses are also advised in case of warm or sunny weather.
Cancellation Policy:
All bookings are non-refundable, and all sales are final once confirmed.
Book for this lake & cultural tour
Sandrine G2025-09-22Verified 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. Dr. Katina2025-09-19Verified 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!! Anona W2025-09-07Verified 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. Kaushik I2025-09-04Verified 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. Khaled m2025-08-20Verified 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. Shiloh Therrien A2025-08-19Verified 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 moreโit was incredible!If youโre 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! Jasmine C2025-08-14Verified Great experience It was a great experience with this company. On time . Professional. Highly recommend. Our driver was the best! Forgettable experience Heidi B2025-08-11Verified 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 wasnโt in a rush. Thank you once again!! Highly recommended!! Marc H2025-08-10Verified An unforgettable trip to Uganda! ๐ฆ๐ฟ 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 didnโt meet any French, only Belgians, Germans and Americans. A destination still little frequented... and to discover absolutely! KABERA S2025-08-10Verified 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 โค๏ธ