








3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour – Rwanda
Tour Overview – 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour
The 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and cultural immersion along Rwanda’s most scenic waterfront. Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, is a stunning destination surrounded by misty hills, coffee plantations, and charming lakeside towns like Gisenyi and Kibuye. This adventure allows travelers to unwind along sandy shores, enjoy peaceful boat rides to local islands, and engage with communities that showcase Rwanda’s rich cultural traditions and creativity.
Beyond its serene landscapes, Lake Kivu holds deep cultural and historical significance. You’ll visit local fishing villages, coffee farms, and experience traditional Rwandan music and dance. From the vibrant city of Kigali to the tranquil waters of Kivu, this 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour captures Rwanda’s beauty, authenticity, and hospitality. It’s ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers looking for a balanced mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Book for this 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Cultural Tour Rwanda.
Day 1: Kigali City Tour & Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
After breakfast, begin your journey with a Kigali City Tour, visiting landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and Inema Arts Center. Learn about Rwanda’s history, culture, and remarkable transformation. After lunch, depart for Gisenyi (Rubavu) — a 3-hour drive through scenic hills, tea plantations, and rural countryside. Upon arrival, check into your lakeside lodge and relax by the beach. In the evening, enjoy a walk along the lake promenade or watch fishermen sing as they paddle their traditional wooden boats into the sunset.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Inzu Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Lake Kivu Boat Ride, Island Visit & Cultural Experience
Wake up to the calm rhythm of Lake Kivu and enjoy a hearty breakfast with panoramic lake views. Embark on a boat ride on Lake Kivu, exploring scenic islands such as Napoleon Island and Amahoro Island, home to exotic birds and local fishing communities. During the ride, you’ll have a chance to interact with fishermen and learn about their traditional techniques.
Later, visit a nearby coffee plantation, where you’ll discover the journey of Rwandan coffee — from bean to cup — and enjoy a tasting session. In the afternoon, experience a local cultural performance featuring Rwandan music, drumming, and traditional dances. Return to your lodge to unwind or take an optional sunset swim in the warm waters of Lake Kivu.
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Inzu Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Morning Visit & Transfer Back to Kigali
After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll through Gisenyi town, visiting local craft shops or the Congo border point (Petite Barrière) for photo opportunities. Depending on your schedule, you may also visit Niramba Hot Springs, known for their natural healing properties. Later, begin your return journey to Kigali, enjoying beautiful roadside scenery. Arrive in the afternoon for lunch or transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
What’s Included
- All transportation in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Kigali city tour and cultural visits
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- All park and community entry fees
- Bottled drinking water throughout the trip
What’s Excluded
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (laundry, tips, phone calls, drinks)
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Hotel meals before arrival or after departure
End of Tour 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour
The 3 Days Lake Kivu Adventure & Culture Tour is a relaxing yet enriching escape, offering a glimpse into Rwanda’s culture, nature, and people. It’s an experience that rejuvenates the body and soul while connecting you with the essence of Rwanda’s beauty.
Starting from US $ 890 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises. Prices for children are fixed as $ 150 per child.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 890 |
| 2 | – | $ 680 |
| 3 | – | $ 630 |
| 4 | – | $ 510 |
| 5 | – | $ 450 |
| 6 | – | $ 400 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 395 |
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
