Rwanda borders one of the most spectacular lakes, perhaps not the largest but certainly the deepest in East Africa. Lake Kivu is situated east of Rwanda and follows the line of the Great Rift Valley. It is situated in a volcanic crater and in parts is known to be over 600m deep!
Kivu Sun boasts a five star rating and is situated in the eat of Rwanda just 100m from the Congolese border and the town of Goma. Kivu Sun is the sister hotel to the Intercontinental Hotel in Kigali, both are managed impeccably by the southern Sun Group. Transport to Kivu Sun can be by a taxi and for 55 frw you can enjoy a return journey staying for one night. Should you be staying at the Intercontinental in Kigali, they will willingly arrange for a shuttle bus to take you safely to the idyllic destination of the Kivu Sun. Whilst the journey there will take approximately 3 to 4 hours, the breathtaking scenery well makes up for the time spent. After completing the journey it is easy to understand why Rwanda is known worldwide as “The land of a thousand hills.”
In Pictures: Kivu Sun
Kivu Sun nestles on the white beaches of Lake Kivu and it is fitted with 66 rooms. We were welcomed by enthusiastic porters who were willing to impart detailed information on the hotel and the surrounding area’s without even being questioned. The check in process was simple and efficient and within minutes we were being ushered to our lake facing suite. Suites offer a balcony with a majestic view overlooking the tranquil shores Lake Kivu. Stunning is the only word to describe the layout which offers a comforting atmosphere. Thick pile carpets and chunky lounge suites all give to making a perfect cozy time. Very importantly, there was a well stocked bar fridge! Two TV’s offer DSTV for when the warm, rainy afternoon showers pass by. The bathrooms are ample in size and the shower is big enough for 2 people with high powered jets offering a fantastic hydro massage - to the point where you do not want to get out!
Once unpacked and freshened up we headed for the ‘pool deck’ to enjoy the magnificent sunset whilst enjoying sundowners. There is an extensive cocktail menu which offers an array of both popular and creative varieties of drinks. The pool is a fair size and overlooks the incredible white sands of Lake Kivu. The white sandy beaches are speckled with minute shavings of silicate which makes the entire beach shimmer in the fantastic sunlight, it almost looks like a gold covered beach.
Dinner is served ‘al la carte’ or, depending on occupancy a buffet offering a wide range of delectable, different dishes. We tried both. The Al la carte starters were fantastic, so much so that one evening we ate far to many starters and skipped straight to the dessert, which were just as good. On the evenings when we got around to choosing from the main menu, the lamb shank was a must, not to take away from the tender steaks with there accompanied flavorsome sauces! It has to be said, that given the nearest location to order food stocks is plus / minus 4 hours away, they really outdo themselves as far as the quality and choice on the menu is concerned.
Breakfast is served on the upper terrace, whilst offering a view of the pool deck it also offers an exhilarating view of the white sandy beaches and the warm waters of Lake Kivu. Breakfast is a buffet, and offers more than your standard bacon, sausage, fried tomatoes and eggs. There is a wide array of pastries, toasties, cereals and fresh fruits which make for a great start to a relaxing day. For the more health conscious people there is a gym with basic cardio and weight training equipment available to guests all hours of the day!
After breakfast one can take a leisurely stroll along the white, glistening sandy beaches towards the Congo border, the warm waters of Lake Kivu make for an excellent place to chill down after the morning’s walk. One can also get local transport to the nearby ‘hot water spring’ which flows into the lake. Close by, there are some local restaurants serving up the delicacies of the local fish caught freshly from the lake.
Lunch is served pool side, after which one can take a walk or local taxi and cross over the border into the town of Goma. It is advisable to obtain a local guide who speaks Congolese should you intend to do some shopping for local art. Alternatively one can just relax by either the crystal clear pool or lakeside on comfortable loungers.
Kivu Sun is under new management (as of December 2005) and the standards they are setting are comparable with International Hotels worldwide. The Manager of the hotel is Mr. Frederic Gitzner, has many years experience with Sun International. Not only is Frederic a competent manager he also befriends his guests in order to make your stay there as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
For more information, please contact Kivu Sun Hotel on:
Tel: +250 541101
Fax: +250 541102
Email: reservations@kivusun.co.rw
