Karongi district is located in the Western province of Rwanda on the Kivu Lake shore, which gives it uniqueness to travelers. This is a place where busy minds can completely switch off, occasionally glancing up from a good book to notice the birds or the changing colors on the lake as the sun drops over the far side.
Karongi district is perhaps the most popular beach retreat for families living elsewhere in Rwanda; with a tranquil atmosphere and easy access from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. For those keen to stay active, various hotels have kayaks to rent. Boats carry small groups out to Napoleon’s Island, home to a colony of fruit bats. For an authentic experience of Rwandan daily life, head off night fishing with the locals, or kayak out with them at sunset. The known hotels in the region are Moriah Hill resort, cleo Lake kivu which is the luxury hotel on the lake. We have Bethany Hotel , Rwiza village, Macheo lodge which is an eco-lodge in the place and cormorant lodge on the shores of the Lake Kivu at the side of Karongi district.
Hillsides covered in pines and eucalyptus serves as a backdrop to the sparkling lake, with accommodation to suit most budgets. At dawn and dusk, the sound of local fisherman singing carries across the water as they paddle in unison. To the northwest of Karongi, the Mukura Forest is of particular interest to birdwatchers, with more than 150 recorded species, of which 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
The Karongi district is a harbor for tourism on the Lake Kivu with Mukura Forest which has an average altitude of 2,600m, Mukura is a true montane rainforest – a term used to describe forests in mountainous regions in the tropical belt. The area was granted National Park status in 2015.