A new boat hotel, or what is being called, the ‘floating hotel’, Kivu Queen Uburanga, will be unveiled in June this year—the first motor yacht to sail on Lake Kivu, operating in Karongi, Rubavu and Rusizi.

Karongi District officials announced that the five-star hotel that was set up on Lake Kivu is already fully booked, and will start operation soon.

With 10 modern cabins, a swimming pool, a restaurant, bar and a viewing deck with a hot tub, this new experience will take travellers on a luxurious tour through some of Rwanda’s most coveted attractions.

The vice mayor in charge of Economic Affairs of Karongi District, Theophile Niragire, said this project is expected to be profitable. "It is well received by residents, natives and travellers in the Karongi region who need or provide tourism services.”

Afrinest, the company that built the boat that is designed to promote tourism and promote cross-border trade, shared that the aim is to offer tourists visiting the areas on Lake Kivu different options. The ship’s builders say it was supposed to begin service at the end of last year. Niragire said construction started in 2019 but was interrupted by the pandemic.

Activities will include sailing past the island of Idjwi, guided hikes, and bird-watching. The boat hotel will be managed by French company Mantis under Accor Group, a multinational hospitality company that owns, manages and franchises hotels, resorts and vacation properties. It is the largest hospitality company in Europe and the sixth-largest hospitality company worldwide.