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African Safaris and Tours
Lake Kivu Hotels in Rwanda
A Lakeside Break On Rwanda's Western Border
Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes, lying in the Albertine Rift along Rwanda's western border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda's shore runs from Gisenyi in the north, past Kibuye, to Cyangugu and Kamembe in the south, and after early starts in the parks, a few days beside the water are a welcome change of pace.
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel sits right on the lakefront in Gisenyi, with its own stretch of beach for guests, a pool set among palms and gardens, and kayaks and jet skis for an afternoon on the lake. Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel looks over the southern end of the lake from a hill in Kamembe. That part of Rusizi District, including Kamembe Airport, falls within an area where the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel, so check the current advice before choosing it.
Every stay is priced as part of a tailor-made safari itinerary, so your Lake Kivu nights can sit alongside gorilla trekking from our Volcanoes National Park lodges or chimpanzee tracking from our Nyungwe National Park lodges. Browse every area on our Rwanda lodges page, or tell us about your trip and we'll fit the lake into your route. We've been planning African safaris from Cape Town since 1999.
Lake Kivu Hotels In Gisenyi And Kamembe
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel stands on the lakefront in Gisenyi, with a private beach for guests, a pool among palms and manicured gardens, and the Kiyaga Restaurant facing the water. Kayaks and jet skis wait at the shoreline for an afternoon on the lake.
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel sits on a hill above Lake Kivu in Kamembe, at the lake's southern end, with a 25-metre pool, a sauna and rooms with lake views. Note: the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to this part of Rusizi District.
Lake Kivu Hotels – Frequently Asked Questions
Which towns on Lake Kivu are these hotels in?
These hotels are in Gisenyi, at the northern end of Lake Kivu, and Kamembe, at the southern end. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is in Gisenyi, Rubavu District, and Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel is in Kamembe, part of the Cyangugu area of Rusizi District. Kibuye, in Karongi District, lies on the Rwandan shore between the two.
Does UK travel advice affect either hotel?
Yes, it affects Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Rusizi District within 10 km of the DRC border, including Kamembe Airport, about 1 km from the hotel. That restriction does not cover Gisenyi, but check current FCDO advice for Rwanda's border areas before travelling.
Is Lake Kivu Serena Hotel on the beach?
Yes. Lake Kivu Serena Hotel sits on the lakefront in Gisenyi, with a private stretch of beach reserved for hotel guests. A swimming pool set among palms and gardens, kayaking and jet-skiing on the lake, and sundowners at the beachside Ziwani Café make it an easy place to slow down for a day or two.
What is Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel like?
Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel is a hilltop hotel above the southern end of Lake Kivu, with rooms looking over the lake, the pool or the mountains. Facilities include a 25-metre pool with a separate children's pool, a gym, steam room and sauna, a kids' playroom, kayaking excursions and bicycle hire. Check the FCDO advice before choosing it.
Where do you eat at the Lake Kivu hotels?
Both hotels have their own restaurants. At Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, the lakefront Kiyaga Restaurant handles the main meals and the Ziwani Café sits on the beach. At Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel, La Vue Restaurant serves buffet and à la carte menus, alongside a pool bar and produce from the hotel's own kitchen garden.
Map of Lodges in and around Lake Kivu
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