




1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure
Overview of 1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure
The Culture Tour and Lake Kivu is a perfect blend of cultural immersion and relaxation in one of Rwanda’s most scenic destinations. This tour takes you from Kigali or Musanze to Gisenyi, where the sparkling waters of Lake Kivu meet vibrant communities rich in tradition. It is designed for travelers who wish to combine authentic Rwandan cultural experiences with the serene beauty of Rwanda’s largest lake in just one day.
During this trip, guests engage with local communities through music, dance, and traditional craft-making, offering a genuine glimpse into Rwanda’s culture and heritage. Visitors can also learn about coffee or banana beer production, take part in village walks, and interact with locals who are eager to share their stories. After the cultural experience, the adventure continues by the shores of Lake Kivu, where breathtaking scenery and calm waters provide the perfect setting to unwind.
This tour is ideal for travelers seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re enjoying a lakeside picnic, exploring Gisenyi’s lively waterfront, or taking a boat ride across the lake to nearby islands, the Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure offers unforgettable moments. Perfect for day-trippers and those extending a gorilla trek or wildlife safari, this one-day tour highlights the heart of Rwanda’s traditions alongside the tranquility of its natural landscapes.
07:00 AM – Pickup from Kigali or Musanze
Meet your driver-guide from Rwanda Safaris Gorilla Trekking at your hotel. Begin your scenic drive towards Gisenyi, located on the northern shores of Lake Kivu. The journey offers stunning views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, farmlands, and rural villages.
09:30 AM – Community and Cultural Visit
Arrive in a local village near Gisenyi where you will be introduced to Rwanda’s traditional way of life. Participate in cultural activities such as music, drumming, dancing, or basket weaving. Learn about local farming practices and taste traditional foods or banana beer prepared by the community.
12:30 PM – Lunch by the Lakeside
Enjoy a delicious lunch by Lake Kivu, with options for fresh local fish and Rwandan specialties. The beautiful lakefront setting provides the perfect backdrop to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings.
01:30 PM – Lake Kivu Adventure
Spend the afternoon exploring Lake Kivu. Options include a relaxing boat ride to nearby islands, swimming in the lake’s calm waters, or walking along the sandy beaches of Gisenyi. Birdwatchers and photographers will especially enjoy the opportunities for scenic shots of the lake and its surroundings.
04:00 PM – Gisenyi Town Exploration
Stroll through Gisenyi town, visiting the vibrant local market and the lakeside promenade. This is also a great time to interact with locals and purchase souvenirs.
05:00 PM – Return Journey
Begin the drive back to Kigali or Musanze, enjoying Rwanda’s spectacular countryside landscapes along the way.
07:30 PM – Drop-Off in Kigali / Musanze
Arrive at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your 1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure.
End of 1 Day Culture Tour and Lake Kivu Adventure
Tour Inclusions
- Pickup and drop-off in Kigali or Musanze
- Transport in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Cultural village experience fees
- Boat ride on Lake Kivu
- Lunch and bottled water
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Accommodation (unless requested)
- Tips and personal expenses
Starting from US $ 180 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 | – | $ 450 |
| 2 | – | $ 250 |
| 3 | – | $ 200 |
| 4 | – | $ 180 |
| 5 | – | $ 150 |
| 6 | – | $ 120 |
| 7 | 15 | $ 100 |
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).
