The twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo got their names because of their geographical connection. At their meeting point, water flows from one lake to the other. These lakes are located between the Virunga Mountains, near the border of Uganda and Rwanda, at the base of Mount Sabyinyo.
The twin lakes are found in the Ruhengeri region, beautifully placed near Rwanda’s famous Volcanoes National Park. They are separated by a narrow strip of land. The highlands in this region were formed by volcanic activity, and the lakes were created when a river was blocked by a volcanic lava flow, cutting off the channel of the Nyabarongo River.
Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo
Lake Burera: Lake Burera is located in the northwest of Rwanda, near the Uganda border. It is one of Rwanda’s largest lakes, following Lake Kivu and Lake Ihema in size. The lake sits in Burera District, which takes its name from it. Lake Burera is connected to Lake Ruhondo by the Ntaruka stream.
Lake Ruhondo: Lake Ruhondo lies at the base of Rwanda’s largest volcanic mountain, Mount Karisimbi, near Musanze Province. Like Lake Burera, it was formed by volcanic activity. The lake gets water from Lake Burera and other small tributaries, including the Nyabarongo and Mukungwa Rivers. A one kilometer strip of land separates it from Lake Burera.
Popular Activities on Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo
Canoeing is not allowed on Lake Burera, but visitors can enjoy boat rides instead. It’s a good idea to bring binoculars for a closer view of the surrounding volcanoes.
The lakes are also home to wetlands like the Rugezi Swamp, which hosts a variety of aquatic life.
Visitors can enjoy bird watching, as the area is rich in bird species such as yellow billed storks and hamerkops. The sounds of birds and the cool breeze from the vegetation on the nearby volcanoes make the experience calm and relaxing.
There are safari lodges in Musanze town and near Volcanoes National Park where tourists can stay, such as Singita Kwitonda and Bisate Lodges.
Visitors can also take part in fishing, community tours to learn about local customs and culture, swimming, and photography while exploring the twin lakes.
