Kibuye Town (Karongi), Lake Kivu, Western Rwanda is about 100km south of Gisenyi, Kibuye town (also known by its new name Karongi) is probably the prettiest of Lake Kivu’s towns. It’s a verdant, tropical spot surrounded by hills covered in eucalyptus and pine and interwoven with the lagoon like arms of the lake which give the area a pristine, almost Alpine feel. If you're visiting in August, you may catch thousands of yellow-billed kites here flying over Lake Kivu on their annual migration. Most of Kibuye’s hotels are in beautiful locations overlooking the lake and facing the sunset with small private beaches and water sports activities.
The good roads from Kigali and other towns like Gisenyi and Cyangugu makes the town popular with visitors and Rwandans alike, and at the weekends you'll find families from elsewhere in Rwanda enjoying the small beaches and swimming in the lake.
It is hard to believe, amid today's tranquility that during the genocide the area of Kibuye experienced the most comprehensive killings of Tutsis anywhere in Rwanda. Near the sports stadium a sign reads 'More than 10,000 people were inhumane here'. Now birds chirp on the surrounding wall and the laughter of children in the nearby schools. Here, as throughout Rwanda memories of the genocide remain acute but the daily life carries on determinedly around them. It’s also possible to visit Kibuye’s genocide memorial church, with brightly colored stained-glass windows, in a quiet location on a hill above Lake Kivu. Despite a tragic history, it’s a place for peaceful contemplation.
From Kibuye (Karongi) you can take boat trips on Lake Kivu to nearby islands: Napoleon Island with its colony of fruit bats and Amahoro Island (aptly known as “One bar island" because all it has on it is one bar).
Why Visit Kibuye (Karongi) Town, Lake Kivu, Western Rwanda.
- Visit one of the prettiest of all Lake Kivu's towns.
- Catch the thousands of yellow-billed kites in August on their annual migration.
- Stay at Kibuye's (Karongi) town's beautiful hotels located overlooking the lake and facing the sunset with small private beaches.
- Undertake in water sports activities on the lake.
- Discover the secrets of Kibuye's (Karongi) town's nearby Islands; Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island on boat trip.
- Visit Kibuye’s genocide memorial church, with brightly colored stained-glass windows.
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