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Lake Kivu

Emerald green waters fringed by stark mountains along Africa's Great Rift Valley

Rwanda’s largest lake, Lake Kivu is set in a wide valley surrounded by the majestic Virunga mountains. Known as one of the great lakes of East Africa, with delightful attractions that make it well worth visiting, this biodiverse area of deep glistening waters is located on the boundary between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When visiting Rwanda, Lake Kivu offers a picturesque breakaway, with its multiple islands, sandy beaches and small resort towns, while the predator-free parts of the lake are great for water-based activities.

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The best time to travel to Rwanda is during the dry season, which is from June to September. However, the country can be visited year-round, as the temperatures are mild and there is no extreme weather.

Rwanda is generally considered a safe destination for visitors. The country has made remarkable progress with low crime rates and a stable political environment and is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. However, travellers should take common travel precautions. Follow these safety tips: 


  • Keep a close eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas.
  • Respect wildlife, maintain a safe distance, and never provoke or feed them.
  • Follow the guidelines from local authorities or your Viatu Travel Expert


There is so much to do in this beautiful country. Since we have limited space, here are some of our favorite things to do:


  • Go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
  • Visit the genocide memorial in Kigali.
  • Relax on the shores of Lake Kivu.
  • Visit the Nyungwe Forest National Park.
  • Go birdwatching in Akagera National Park.
  • Learn about Rwanda's rich culture and history.


The cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is USD 1,500 per person per permit. This includes the park entrance fee, the services of a ranger, and the use of a community-based tourism enterprise.

Tipping is not expected in Rwanda, but it is appreciated. A small tip of a few hundred RWF is sufficient.

The following health and safety precautions are recommended when traveling to Rwanda:


  • Get vaccinated against yellow fever, hepatitis A, and typhoid.
  • Take malaria medication.
  • Drink bottled water and avoid tap water.

Consult with your GP before travellling to Rwanda.

Rwanda can be easily combined with other East African destinations, such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. These countries are all home to stunning wildlife and beautiful scenery.

The main airport in Rwanda is Kigali International Airport. There are direct flights from many major cities in Europe and Africa. You can also get to Rwanda by road or train from neighboring countries.

The official currency of Rwanda is the Rwandan Franc (RWF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The best places to exchange foreign currency are banks, which can be found in major cities and towns. It is advisable to carry the local currency for smaller transactions. Most ATMs in Rwanda dispense local currency and accept international credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard. However, many bespoke and luxury hotels charge in USD.

One or two weeks is a good amount of time to see the highlights of Rwanda, such as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, visiting the genocide memorial in Kigali, and exploring Lake Kivu.

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We had an incredible journey with Viatu and many unforgettable memories in South Africa. The journey was tailor-made to our wishes and the communication with Alex really easy, friendly and helpful. All the information was accessible online at any time, nicely presented and structured in an overview.

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We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

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With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

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The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

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Jan

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I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

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Christoph

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We loved using the Viatu Trip Builder to design our holidays in South Africa. It was super easy and transparent. Our holidays were great and the few times we needed support, our consultant Benoit was very quick and helpful.

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Anita

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I had a once in a lifetime trip with Viatu. It was extremely exciting, adventurous and diverse! As my first trip, I found it to be very enjoyable. Everything was totally planned out from A to Z.

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Irina

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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

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Nicole

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Our Viatu experience was just amazing, starting with the first discussions and the planning of our trip to Namibia. The Viatu team did a great job planning the trip according to our wishes and preferences.

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Stefano

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What can I say? We've had an absolute blast traveling through Namibia. Soooo many good new memories! We booked our trip a bit last minute but had amazing support from Viatu to get all the information in time.

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Anna

verified iconVerified Traveller

We had an incredible journey with Viatu and many unforgettable memories in South Africa. The journey was tailor-made to our wishes and the communication with Alex really easy, friendly and helpful. All the information was accessible online at any time, nicely presented and structured in an overview.

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Michèle

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We had the most wonderful experience with Viatu and the trip of a lifetime. My sister and I travelled for 3,5 weeks through Namibia and South Africa, and everything was perfectly planned and just amazing.

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Valerie

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With super short notice, they organised a trip that was just perfect. Loved everything about it! Will definitely recommend Viatu to all my friends!

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Margherita

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The recommended accommodations were perfect for us and everything was as expected. Even though we booked on very short notice, everything went smoothly and was well managed by Viatu.

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Jan

verified iconVerified Traveller

I'm very thankful for my first Viatu experience. The 3-week trip across Namibia combined incredible landscapes and nature, mindblowing eco-friendly lodges and utter peace of mind. The organisation and support of the Viatu team were spot-on - this is the way to impress. Thanks a lot!

avatar icon

Christoph

verified iconVerified Traveller

We loved using the Viatu Trip Builder to design our holidays in South Africa. It was super easy and transparent. Our holidays were great and the few times we needed support, our consultant Benoit was very quick and helpful.

avatar icon

Anita

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I had a once in a lifetime trip with Viatu. It was extremely exciting, adventurous and diverse! As my first trip, I found it to be very enjoyable. Everything was totally planned out from A to Z.

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Irina

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