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Lake Kivu

One of the Great Lakes of Africa is Lake Kivu. 
It is located in the Albertine Rift, the western arm of the East African Rift, and is the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The Ruzizi River, which drains Lake Kivu, empties into Lake Tanganyika towards the south.
The lake’s surface size is approximately 2,700 km2 (1,040 sq mi), and its elevation is 1,460 m (4,790 ft) above sea level. The DRC’s borders enclose 1 370 km2, or 58 percent, of the lake’s waters. The lake’s maximum depth of 480 meters (1,575 feet), which ranks eighth in the world, is caused by the lake’s location on a rift valley that is gradually being forced apart. This causes volcanic activity in the region.

The lakebed sits upon a rift valley that is slowly being pulled apart, causing volcanic activity in the area, and making it particularly deep: its maximum depth of 480 m (1,575 ft) is ranked eighteenth in the world.

The world’s tenth-largest inland island, Idjwi, lies in Lake Kivu, as does the tiny island of Tchegera, which also lies within the boundaries of Virunga National Park; while settlements on its shore include Bukavu, Kabare, Kalehe, Sake, and Goma in Congo, and Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Cyangugu in Rwanda.

What TO DO AND SEE AT LAKE KIVU

For adventurers and those who enjoy fishing and boat cruises, Lake Kivu is the ideal vacation destination. There is never a shortage of things to do at the lake.

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Lake Kivu fishing

Fishermen in Lake Kivu use a unique technique called isambaza for catching little fish. They collect fish in nets strung below their boats by tying three vessels together and using gas lamps at night to draw the fish to them. Every year, fishing is prohibited throughout the months of September and October to allow the stocks to repopulate. Additionally, fishing is prohibited during the full moon since the fish are not drawn to the light.

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Taking a swim on Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is one of the safest lakes in Africa and one of just a handful where swimming is permitted due to the following factors:

. There are no hippos.
. Very little schistosomiasis (bilharzia)
. There were no large-scale or localized gas explosions.

. Methane and carbon. dioxides are both trapped below Lake Kivu.

Coffee Experience

Coffee Experience

View the entire coffee life cycle. You may observe every step of preparing a great cup of coffee at Cyimbili and Kinunu, from watching the coffee beans develop on the bush to enjoying a delicious cup of locally produced coffee. The Congo-Nile Route The Congo-Nile Trail can be traveled by bicycle, foot, or car. From Gisenyi to Kamembe, this 227-kilometer trek follows the picturesque Lake Kivu shoreline.

. Gisenyi and Kibuye offer bicycle rentals and sales.

. The Congo River can be cycled along with bicycle guides and porters.

. Create a sea kayaking and cycling combination tour along the Nile Trail.

Nyungwe forest national park

Other Things to Do

Gorillas

. Follow up on Mountain Gorillas from Ruhengeri in Rwanda or the DRC

. Follow up on Lowland Gorillas close to Bukavu

Rainforests of the Alps

. Visit Nyungwe Forest’s new canopy walk while hiking there.
. Wander through the Giswati Forest, a brand-new wilderness area
. Follow the chimps