Travel Guide To Lake Kivu ( Idwiji ) Tourist Attractions and Activities In Lake Kivu, DR Congo
Floating out in the middle of Lake Kivu, Idjwi Island is, at 340 sq km, Lake Kivu the second-largest lake island in Africa. Floating out in the middle of Lake Kivu, visiting Idjwi Island is one of the must-do experiences when visiting eastern Congo. Located within Lake Kivu it can be seen clearly from both the Rwandan and Congolese mainlands.
Lake Kivu is Isolated from Congo’s decades of war, as well as missing out on what little development the mainland has seen, Idjwi is a wonderful place to escape the modern world and enjoy nature and the rich island culture. Lodging is available in small guesthouses and the speedboat between Bukavu and Goma stops there on request.
Because it is landlocked, the Idjwi islands are cut off from the rest of the country. However, the island has its way of life, with a rich culture, and diverse people whose main occupation is focused on agriculture and fishing.
Also known as Ijwi, the Island is home to about 200,000 people. Most of them survive on subsistence farming and small-scale fishing. Idjwi island became a kingdom in the 18th Century and had a connection to the ruling monarchy of Rwanda at the time.
Tourists who visit the Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks often visit the island for cultural tours, hiking, and also to explore the beautiful lake Kivu. Boat rides to the island from Bukavu (near Kahuzi-Biega National Park) take about 2 hours. Once there, the only means of transport is by bike, motorcycle or walking.
Things to do in Idjwi Island:
Boat Rides in Lake Kivu
This can be done on local dugout canoes or using engine boats. Cruising on this freshwater body enables one to discover more when visiting Idjwi Island. Excursion boat rides can be made within a few meters of the lake with an option to have a table set on the boat especially when the water is calm.
Relaxing on cruises and water trips on the lake makes one somehow forget about their problems and feel home away from home. Depending on the period of the visit and if lucky enough you could experience the full moon as if it was just above the vegetation on the shore of beautiful Lake Kivu.
Swimming:
Lake Kivu in which the island is located is a freshwater body that is crocodile-free, hippo-free, and bilharzia-free. The water in Lake Kivu has a cool temperature and those who would want to cool down, especially on a hot day are free to jump in the lake and relax. There are beautiful beaches along the lakeshores with fine sand where one can relax in the mild sun.
Visiting the King’s Palace:
The island territory of Idjwi is subdivided into two chiefdoms with two kings: the Rubenga chiefdom in the north and the Ntambuka chiefdom in the south.
1. Ntambuka chiefdom in Lake Kivu
You will have the option to visit the King’s palace in the South with the Havu People of Ntambuka. This palace is located 90’ away from Idjwi North (Bugarula) using a slow motorbike. It is a long ride on a hilly relief, but it allows one to explore all the islands by crossing it over. There is a road that can be used but it is not always maintained, one cannot guarantee that the car option will always be available.
The visit will include the modernized house of the King, where you will encounter the customs keepers and all the traditional tools used in the Havu culture. A brief history will be given about past kings until the actual king Ntambuka Balekage Mihigo II Roger who is currently the monarch of the Havu people.
2. Rubenga Chiefdom in Lake Kivu
This is an easy option located in 'Bugarula' where you will be staying. You will have the opportunity to meet the monarch of Rubenga who will bring you through a brief story of his chiefdom. He will also make you visit his cultural museum with an exposition of hundreds if not thousands of Rubenga’s cultural tools.
Hiking and visiting the pineapple plantations:
Idjwi is made of lots of hills with great views of freshwater bodies and mountains on the other edge of the Lake, hiking can be combined with a visit to pineapple plantations. Idjwi produces some of the World’s best pineapples.
Cultural Encounters in Lake Kivu
1. Banana’s beer production:
Indulge in banana beer production to understand the chemistry of the process of brewing a local beer from banana fruits. If you find the activity interesting enough, you can join the women in squeezing the juice out of the bananas and drinking a glass of juice (Optional).
Understand how long juice takes to turn into alcohol after adding to the sorghum floor. Enjoy the big glass of our local brew. Among other activities, they also do basket weaving and with your visit the local community will be proud of this activity and families supported financially.
2. Canoeing with women while singing in Lake Kivu
Centuries before Western explorers set sail with compasses and maps, inhabitants of Idjwi Islands were using the lake swells, stars, and flight patterns of birds to guide them in their canoes. In this experience when visiting Idjwi Island, the women will row the boat while singing traditional songs and longing at the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu.
3. Storytelling in Lake Kivu
Historically a clan-based Bahavu society, Idjwi island became a kingdom in the late 18th century (roughly between 1780 and 1840). In 2013, the island was estimated to have a population of 252,000 people, mostly Havus, with a small Pygmy minority. This is a massive increase from the estimated population of 50,000 in 1983. You will hear lots of exciting stories with elders telling the story of Idjwi around the campfire in the evening.
4. Art and pottery activities with pygmies in Lake Kivu
This activity will allow you to interact with the first inhabitants of sub-Saharan Africa before the Bantu migrated down from the North. The pygmies are the minority on the Island and they live primarily from clay art making.
Access to Idjwi Island in Lake Kivu
Given the fact that the Island is landlocked, if you are planning to visit Idjwi Island, you will have to use the waterway;
1. Using a speedboat:
The island is connected by a speedboat to the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Ihusi Ltd runs 3-speed boats that operate from Bukavu to Goma daily. Leaving Goma to Bukavu every day from 7:00 am to 10 am. On-demand, you can be dropped off at Bugarula Port which is halfway to Bukavu at 9:30 am. The same thing applies if you are coming from Bukavu, the speedboats leave every day from 7:00 am to reach Goma 3 hours later. The trip costs around 50 USD, and you will need 100 USD for a roundtrip ticket.
2. Using Big Ferry in Lake Kivu
Goma is known for its mesmerizing and beautiful ships made in Goma by local engineers. The recent one is EMMANUEL 4 which is compared to a 5-star hotel floating above the water and operating the Goma – Bukavu route daily on majestic Lake Kivu.
The competition is harsh between ferry companies operating between Goma and Idjwi islands. Unlike the speedboat, instead of reaching Idjwi after 1h30’, you arrive in Idwji 3h or 6h later depending on whether you have taken a boat during the day or at night. Every day, a ship leaves Goma to Idjwi, it can be during the day or the night.
Below are some options:
Lac Kivu Express: It leaves Goma to Katana stopping by Idwji every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday to return to Goma passing by Kalehe and Idjwi every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
Nyamizi Express: It leaves Goma during the day to Idjwi Island every Thursday.
Salama ship: They operate every day on the route Goma – Bukavu during the night apart from Wednesdays and every day from Bukavu – Goma apart from Tuesdays.
When requesting a stop at Idjwi Island, you must specify the port where you would like to be dropped. Idjwi island is divided into Idjwi North with Bugarula Port and Idjwi South with Monvu Port. We always drop our customers off at Bugarula port in Idjwi North then from there, we can organize visits to Idjwi South using a 4WD car or a motorbike.
Accommodation in Idjwi:
The island does offer a wide range of accommodations, and these include Hope Land Guest House. Located at a walkable distance from Bugarula Port, Hope Land is a 3-star accommodation with 14 rooms costing 60 USD each. Hope Land offers quality service with well-trained staff. The food served is made of local dishes very well made by an experienced chef.
Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the safari tour of Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu in DR Congo.
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