Gisenyi : The beach holiday destination

Despite the fact that Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, is land locked, you can still enjoy those beach moments on the shores of Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Here, even though the sand isn’t as white or the water as blue, it is our version of Miami. There are a variety of boat rides ranging from speed boats to canoes to a dual jet ski – whatever works for you. If you are to use public transport, the fee from Kigali to Gisenyi and back is about Rwf6, 000. Travelling to Gisenyi is a thrilling experience because other than admiring some of the many hills Rwanda has, before you reach Musanze District, you get a glimpse of the Five Virunga Volcanoes including Mount Muhavura, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Nyiragongo Mount Visoke (also known as Bisoke) and Mount Sabyinyo from a distance. In Gisenyi at night, you can see the glow on top of Mount Nyiragongo in Congo. On reaching Gisenyi, you can check into a hotel or a lodge. The prices vary, for instance bed and breakfast at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel is about Rwf97,500 (USD150) per person. At Peaceland Hotel, the cheapest room is about Rwf28,000 which is close to USD45. However there are lodges that go for about Rwf10, 000 (USD 15) without breakfast and you have to check out by 10am to avoid paying extra. Although Rwanda’s largest brewery and soft beverage company Bralirwa is stationed in Gisenyi, prices of soft drinks and alcohol are similar to those in Kigali. If you are to have a drink up with friends and see the sunset at the lake shore, Tam Tam is the ideal place because the drinks and eats are fair priced and they play a variety of local and international hits. Entrance fee at Tam Tam is only Rwf 100 per person. A small beer costs Rwf1000 while a plate of chips and delicious deep fried ‘Isambaza’ (small fish from Lake Kivu) costs about Rwf2, 500. At Tam Tam, boat ride costs vary from Rwf 500 - 5,000 depending on the vessel. For example a ride on a jet ski goes for Rwf ,000. However, be careful not to swim around the lake shore at Tam Tam because it’s not safe. The last time I was there with a friend, a piece of broken bottle cut her foot when she was about to swim. The Lake Kivu shore at Serena is the ideal place to swim with friends although you will need to part with Rwf3,000 and in the evening, a bonfire is lit for people who want to chill outside. For the party people, after a day at the shore, the best club in Gisenyi is White Rock (also known as Chez Nyanja) situated at the edge of the Lake Kivu. Entrance is Rwf2,000. The town was revamped recently, especially the main town road. So, if you are moving around town using a motorbike it only costs about Rwf 500. But the residential areas are still characterised by nagging bumpy stony roads made up of amakoro (volcanic lava).Therefore if you want a cool weekend away from home, Gisenyi is the place to go!