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Getting
to Gisenyi/ Rubavu Rwanda
Gisenyi is approximately 160 Km from
Kigali, 70 Km from Ruhengeri. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Kigali
and about an hour and half from Ruhengeri. The road from Kigali to Gisenyi
via Ruhengeri is smooth with very sharp corners. The scenery is un
believably beautiful with lots of agricultural terraces.
Hotels in Rubavu/ Gisenyi Rwanda-a Brief Description
Kivu Sun Serena Hotel
The four star property
is located at the beach front. All the rooms are air conditioned. Kivu Sun
Serena hotel has got an out door swimming pool, internet facilities, conference and banquet
facilities, tennis court and a gym. The beach in front of the hotel is
private and available for hotel guests only.
Stipps/ Stipp Hotel
Located just a few
metres from Kivu Sun Serena, the Stipp Hotel is a renovated old colonial house.
It has a bar restaurant and a swimming pool.
Peace land Hotel
This is one of the newest properties
in Gisenyi (Rubavu). Each room comes equiped with:
color TV with 5 international channels via satellite, telephone, hot shower and
bath,daily maid. service. The hotel has a business center with
computer, e-mail, printer and copy machine, high speed wireless internet,
French Restaurant, “La Fringale”, with views of Lake Kivu , outdoor
restaurant/barbeque with a fabulous grill, bar, and TVs.
Regina Hotel
Regina is the oldest hotel in Gisenyi/
Rubavu. It was built during the colonial
era and an ideal budget property with wide verandas over looking the lake high
ceiling and wooden floor. The best rooms are large airy and self
contained.
Bel Vedre Hotel
This property is new
and located on a hill overlooking the lake
Palm Beach Hotel
Palm Beach hotel is a
budget popular with the locals and tourists. It neighbours the Kivu Sun
Serena. The property extends across the road to the beach front where there is a
small bar. However as of now the beach is public.
Paradis Malahide Hotel
Originally a
restaurant, the Paradise Malahide Hotel has been expanded to include
accommodation. The hotel is located at Rubona, 6 Km from Gisenyi.
The hotel has its own bar and restaurant all enjoying superb views of the lake.
Tourist Attractions & Safaris From Gisenyi:
Being a lake shore
resort Gisenyi is ideal for water sports though these have not been developed.
However one can enjoy a boat ride to the islands or even across into Goma.
Beach volley ball is available at the Kivu Sun serena. Swimming in the
lake is allowed. The Main attractions
within Gisenyi are
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Gishamwana Island with
its coffee plantation, picnic and campsites.
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Volcanoes national
park is just 60 km away. One can wake up very early in the morning and
make it to track gorillas
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The active volcano of
Nyiragongo in the DR Congo which erupted recently burring half of Goma. Note
that hiking Nyiragongo takes two days. Bring your camping equipment as the
metal huts are no longer available. Bring a warm sleeping bag as it is
very cold. However from the Volcano you will have superb views of the
lake, the towns and the surrounding area.
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The Virunga National
Park in DR Congo - ideal for gorilla tracking.
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Lake Kivu with
its beach ideal for swimming, boat rides and sun bathing.
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The tea and banana
plantations.
Gorilla Safaris from Gisenyi:
It is possible to
track gorillas from Gisenyi. Gorilla safaris depart Gisenyi around 05:30
Hrs so that they can reach Kinigi Park headquaters at around 06:45 Hrs.
Madam Carr's Orphanage (Imbabazi)
Shifted to Original Site-Mugongo
Madam Rosamond Carr's
Orphanage (Imbabazi) has been moved to its original site at Mugongo about 30 Km
midway between Gisenyi and Ruhengeri. This was the original site of the
Orphanage when the war started. However due to continued
insecurity, it was moved to Gisenyi.
Rosamond Halsey , a
fashion illustrator in New York married an English big time hunter Kenneth Carr.
In 1949, they moved to Africa (Congo) where they eventually divorced. In
1955, Rosamond Carr moved to Mugongo in Rwanda to manage a flower plantation
which she later bought. It is here that she wrote the "Land of a thousand
Hill; My Life in Rwanda", which chronicles her love of Rwanda.
Following the outbreak of 1984 civil war, she evacuated to USA but returned in
August of the same year to find all property looted and destroyed.
Together wit\h her farm manager, Sembagare they founded Imbabazi.
Due to insecurity, it was moved to Gisenyi but in 2005, the orphanage was moved
back to Mugongo. |
