Napoleon Island and the Lake Kivu Islands
Lake Kivu's islands are one of Rwanda's least-known but most spectacular attractions. Napoleon Island -- just offshore from Rubavu -- hosts one of Africa's largest fruit bat colonies. At dusk, an estimated 500,000 straw-coloured fruit bats pour from the trees in a living, roaring cloud that darkens the sky for 20 minutes. It is extraordinary and completely free of the tourist crowds that surround other Rwanda highlights.
Napoleon Island Bat Colony
- Location: 2 km offshore from Rubavu (Gisenyi), reachable by boat in 15-20 minutes
- Best time to visit: Dusk -- bats emerge about 30 minutes before sunset
- How to get there: Book a boat trip from any Rubavu lakeside hotel or from the public beach area. Cost: 5,000-15,000 RWF per person depending on your negotiation
- What you see: Half a million bats spiralling out of the trees as the sun goes down, reflected in the lake surface with the Congo hills behind
Other Lake Kivu Islands Worth Visiting
Nkombo Island
The largest Lake Kivu island, in the southern part of the lake near Rusizi. A traditional fishing community lives here. You can visit by boat from Rusizi town -- a rare chance to see a genuine island community unchanged by tourism.
Idjwi Island (DRC)
Technically in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Idjwi is visible from the Rwandan shore. Some adventurous visitors arrange to cross -- but this requires a DRC visa and careful planning. Not recommended without a local guide and up-to-date security information.
Combining Islands with Lake Kivu
The ideal Lake Kivu itinerary: arrive Rubavu in the afternoon, boat trip to Napoleon Island at dusk, overnight at a lakeside lodge, kayak in the morning, drive south to Karongi for more islands and the Congo Nile Trail, drive back to Kigali.
This requires 2 full days and your own rental car. Book a car from $35/day for complete Lake Kivu flexibility.
