Gisenyi town is located near Goma town in the western province of Rwanda at the Congo border, situated in the North West corner of Lake Kivu. Gisenyi escaped the volcanic eruptions of Mount Nyiragongo in 1977 and 2002 though some lava flowed to Lake Kivu.
Gisenyi has a population of over 100,000 people. Gisenyi town is also home to Bralirwa which is the only brewery found in Rwanda. There are lots of places to visit while at Gisenyi some of this can be seen below.
What to do / Activities
Tourists can take guided tours to several tea plantations around Gisenyi town like Pfunda tea factory which is believed to produce over 90 tones of tea daily, you can learn the process of planting tea to harvest time. The tea plantations also provide spectacular views. The plantations are not very far from town.
There are several shops selling African crafts from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda not forgetting masks from Congo, one can acquire these souvenirs to take back home for remembrance or as gifts to their loved ones.
Lake Kivu has got several beaches streamlined at its shores, this is the perfect place to visit after a hectic gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. The beaches are an ideal place for relaxation and do sunbathe with great views of the magnificent lake Kivu and the Virunga ranges.
Nature walks can be taken in Gisenyi town and the most interesting is walking down the avenue of cooperation going round lake Kivu up to the Congo border. The walk through elegant trees and palm trees offers a very refreshing cool breeze. Alternatively, tourists can also walk to Nyamuyumba which is about 6 kilometers.
Tourists can decide to take a sunset boat ride at Lake Kivu and have the privilege to view several water birds, the Virungas and tea, coffee plantations. The boats used are always local small boats you can ride to one of the lakes rocky islands for sundowning and meet many small boats with fishermen going for night fishing. Tourists can also take a ferry for an adventurous to Cyangugu or Kibuye located in the southern part of Lake Kivu.
Accommodation
While in Gisenyi, tourists can sleep in places like; Hotel Italiano Al Lago, Kivu peace view hotel, Hill view hotel, Fanad hotel, Asante hotel, Musanto hotel, Stipp hotel Gisenyi, Gorillas lake view hotel, Lake Kivu Serena hotel, and Dean Fossy Nyimaramacidir hotel among the rest.
Gisenyi town can be reached from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda within 3 hours drive.
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