Rwanda Boat Safaris offer a fantastic way for tourists to access places that are hard to reach by traditional safari vehicles. Adding a boat cruise to your Rwanda safari can make your experience even more enjoyable. These boat tours allow you to see a variety of aquatic life and take in stunning views.
Although Rwanda is known for its mountains, over 10% of its land is covered by lakes, swamps, and rivers. The largest of these is Lake Kivu, which is also shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In addition to lake Kivu, Rwanda has other significant water bodies, including Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, River Kagera, and Nyabarongo. You can enjoy boat safaris on most of these lovely waters. Typically, a boat cruise safari lasts about 1-2 hours. Visitors can join a morning or afternoon boat safari, all guided by experienced professionals to ensure a safe and memorable adventure.
What to expect to see on Rwanda Boat safaris
While on a Rwanda boat safaris, you’ll gave a different experience compared to guided game drives or gorilla trekking tours. From the comfort of your private boat, you can take in n the beautiful sights of various a quantic animal. You might see large groups of hippos as they swim in large schools, the basking crocodiles, and a variety of birds that live by the water.
Best places to go for Rwanda Boat safaris
Boat safaris in Rwanda are best done in different places including Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park, Lake Kivu, and Twin Lakes.
Boat safaris on Twin Lakes
Visitors to the Twin Lakes can enjoy a delightful boat ride on either Lake Burera or Lake Ruhondo. These scenic boat trips are a great addition to the gorilla trekking experience at Volcanoes National Park. You can spend roughly 3 hours gliding across the lakes, while taking in the stunning views, watching various birds and soaking up everything that area has to offer.
While you’re on a boat cruise, you’ll have the chance to visit some beautiful islands like Bushongo, Muhabura, Bishosho, Munanira, and Cuza among others. The Twin Lakes are located in the Musanze district in northwestern Rwanda and the border with Uganda just at the base of Mt. Sabyinyo, Bushongo, Muhabura and Gahinga. They were formed from volcanic activity and are now considered some of the top attractions in Rwanda.
During your boat ride, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of bird species, such as the cormorant, Kingfisher, darters, black sawing, African fish eagle, sacred ibis, yellow-bill storks, and Hamerkop can be seen by visitors on a birding adventure. Tourists that visit Rwanda’s twin lakes can also engage in fishing activities on the lakes.
Boat safaris on Lake Ihema
When visiting Rwanda, taking a boat ride on Lake Ihema while exploring the hidden gems of Akagera National Park. Boat safaris offer a fantastic opportunity to see wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic bird species. You can opt for the morning session or afternoon, making is a great addition to your wildlife adventure. Boat tours on Lake Ihema are led by a knowledgeable guide and captain. This exciting safari lasts for about 1-2 hours, exploring the charm of Lake Ihema and its wonders.
Lake Ihema is located in the southern part of Akagera National Park and situated within the Albertine Rift and part of the African Great Lakes, has a surface area of over 2,370 square kilometres. The lake covers an area of 100 sq. km, making it one of Rwanda’s largest lakes. it sits at an altitude of 1292 meters. The lake ranges from 5-7 meters deep and is home to a wide variety of aquatic life. Birdwatchers can spot impressive species like sandpipers, malachite kingfishers, plovers, shoebill storks, herons, hawks, among others. More so, Lake is also surrounded by lush papyrus swamps, which supports diverse wildlife throughout the year.
Boat safari on Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is a fantastic spot in Rwanda for boat safaris. Lake Kivu is part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Kivu in the west of Rwanda is surrounded by magnificent mountains and has deep emerald green waters covering a surface area of 2,700 km2. This beautiful lake is located between Rwanda and Congo, making it a unique destination. Lake Kivu is one of the best places to visit in Rwanda on your holiday, worthy getaway such as sun, sand, surf, delicious local cuisine, interesting cultural sites, and, most importantly, potent cocktails. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides while feeling the refreshing cool breeze. These boat cruises typically take place in the morning and during sunset, lasting about 2 to 3 hours each time.
Boat safaris in this stunning lake gives you an opportunity to visit Islands such as Serene Islands and Amahoro Island, tea Plantations, Visit the coffee station, Fishing landsite and the Hot springs. The lake has no hippos and crocodiles. The shores of Lake Kivu, there exist diverse bird species. They include osprey, waterfowl, white-breasted cormorants, and pied kingfishers to mention but a few. Birding tours on Lake Kivu are best done around October to February.
Packing List for a Boat Safari in Rwanda
When planning to embark on a boat safaris in Rwanda, its important to bring the right gears. Be sure to include a safari hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, snacks, bottled water, a light rain jacket, and others.
In conclusion, when planning a boat safari in Rwanda, you have the options includes a variety of activities. Your cam combine combined with game drives, gorilla safaris, chimpanzee tours, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, birding, nature walks, cultural tours among others. For help in organizing an unforgettable boat safari adventure in Rwanda and beyond, reach out to us!
