Posts Tagged Kivu Belt

Congo Nile Trail Biking With Coffee And Fishing Experience

03/1/2023 12:17

Congo Nile Trail Biking With Coffee And Fishing Experience

Activity Description

This is a two-day or three-day tour mixed with biking and boating. It can be done from Kigali or from Gisenyi. The first day starts with a Congo Nile Biking trail experience from Rubavu to Kinunu where you pass by coffee, tea, banana, natural beaches, and amazing views of beautiful landscape (hills, lake Kivu, valleys, etc) and make the first stop over at Umwakira Kivu Coffee, Rwinyoni Village, Kivumu sector, Rutsiro District for a traditionally prepared coffee experience and tasting break. After the coffee tasting break, you continue the biking experience up to Kinunu where you are warmly welcomed and received by the hotel management which provides you lunch and appropriate refreshment after which you have a small rest followed by a swimming time at Kinunu beach around 17:00 o’clock. From 18:00 to 21: 00 PM, experience Lake Kivu night fishing activities including joining a fishing crew night fishing on Lake Kivu, paddling with the crew to the fishing location, experiencing a genuine traditional African trade far off the beaten path, boating to and from the fishing crew, tasting the Isambaza (small fish).
Tour plan summary

Briefing (at Gisenyi, close to Bralirwa)
Start biking the CNT going through amazing landscapes composed by small villages, small hills, local shops, valleys by also going along coasts of lake Kivu, past banana trees and coffee plantations;
Make the stop-over at Umwakira Kivu Coffee, Rwinyoni Cell, Kivumu Sector, for the traditionally prepared coffee experience (learn the entire process of coffee making from seed , finished product and taste)
Receive the traditionally prepared coffee (souvenirs)
Have lunch and appropriate refreshment
Have a small rest followed by a swimming time at Kinunu beach
Experience Lake Kivu night fishing activities
Boat trip back to Gisenyi, Relax (Hotel)
Departure from Gisenyi to Kigali (In Case of 3 day tour)

The Experience package price is in TWO OPTIONS:

Option 1 (3 days): Includes Transport from & to Kigali+ Accommodation in Rubavu and at Kinunu (2 nights)+ Biking Experience + a Guide + a Boat as follows:
Package Price inclusion: A bike and boat transport, accommodation, English Speaking Guide, locally made coffee souvenir, a cup of traditionally prepared coffee for taste, meals, small fish taste, 4 bottles of water, first aid kit, and fresh fruits.

Option 2 (2 days) : Includes ONLY the EXPERIENCE + GUIDE+BOAT+ACCOMMODATION at Kinunu as follows :

A bottle of water, a Guide, a cup of traditionally prepared coffee, a boat, souvenir (a small basket containing a finished coffee product), tax fees

About the Organizer

Kivu Belt Village Tours Ltd is a community-based enterprise founded by the native and tourism experts of the Kivu Belt Destination. The enterprise mainly offers historical, traditional and nature tourism activities. Its products and services include agricultural and cattle keeping experiences, cultural experiences, hiking, biking and boating experiences, camping, fishing, bird watching, home stay experience, etc. in the Kivu Belt Destination.

To be different from others, Kivu belt Village tours, ensures that its tours and experiences are:

100% safety guaranteed;
Offered with Reliable and safe transportation by e.g. bus, 4×4, bicycles, boats, canoes, etc.
Provided with respect of the Rwandan cultural values
Offered with Good knowledge of the environmental issues, what will be our footprint.
In different package deals including special activities for the different target groups available such as age categories and other special groups (all-in package deals).

Kivu Belt Village Tours share all profits with the Kivu Belt destination communities

Option 1 (2 overnights):

Groups of 1-4, 672,600 Rwf Groups of 5+, 348,100 Rwf

Option 2 (1 overnights):

Groups of 1-4, 354,000 Rwf Groups of 5+, 206,500 Rwf

Highlights

Bike The Congo Nile Trail
Visit a coffee farm
Experience Night fishing on Lake Kivu

Includes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

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Posted by Rasmus
Tags:Activities, Biking, community based tourism, Congo Nile Trail, Kivu Belt, Rubavu.
Categories:Boat Tours, Community Tours, Tours and Activities

Gishwati Riverside Experience

03/1/2023 11:47

Gishwati Riverside Experience

Activity Description

During this 2 day tour, visitors can experience genuine activities with the communities surrounding Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Hike the Riverside Trail combined with tea tour, traditional songs and dances, art works, milking and other activities.

Tour plan summary

Day 1:

Briefing and Departure from Rubavu
Benimana Hill Tea trail (Storytelling: Benimana story) and traditionally prepared tea tasting at Nteko community known as Gishwati Community Heritage (GCH).
Traditional songs and dances by Nteko by GCH
Gishwati Community Heritage (GCH) arts and handcrafts
Gishwati-Mukura National Park history at RDB
Milk collection center visit
Gishwati Riverside trail hiking (Storytelling: Riverside story and commentaries on Gishwati forest, villages, cows’ farms, valleys, hills, rivers)
Camping at Bitenga Base camps
Rwandan traditional evening (Storytelling: The Rwandan flute story and performing arts )

Day 2: (half day)

Cow keeping experience and its interpretation
Cow milking and Ghee making and its interpretation
Return to Rubavu

Tour package inclusion:

Lunch (traditional food)
Supper
A bottle of water
A cup of traditionally prepared tea
Tour Guide
Transport (from and to Gisenyi including a car to help those who can get tired or any problem during hiking
Accommodation (camping)
All hiking attractions
Community activities

About the Organizer

To be different from others, Kivu belt Village tours, ensures that its tours and experiences are:

100% safety guaranteed;
Offered with Reliable and safe transportation by e.g. bus, 4×4, bicycles, boats, canoes, etc.
Provided with respect of the Rwandan cultural values
Offered with Good knowledge of the environmental issues, what will be our footprint.
In different package deals including special activities for the different target groups available such as age categories and other special groups (all-in package deals).

Kivu Belt Village Tours share all profits with the Kivu Belt destination communities

Groups of 1-4, 250,000 Rwf

Groups of 5+, 135,000 Rwf

Highlights

Hike the riverside trail
Visit Gishwati farms, the greenest hills in Africa
Try some genuine experiences with locals

Includes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

More products

Posted by Rasmus
Tags:community based tourism, Gishwati Forest, Hiking, Kivu Belt.
Categories:Community Tours, Hiking

Congo Nile Trail Hike With Traditional Coffee Experience

02/28/2023 17:10

Congo Nile Trail Hike With Traditional Coffee Experience

Activity Description

This is a hiking experience (mixed with walking and boating) of almost 18 kms done within the first stage of the Congo Nile Trail where the landscape is amazing and changes all the time. Sometimes you go through small villages, local shops, valleys, along coasts of Lake Kivu, past banana trees and coffee plantations etc., and by going up and down you get lucky to access the beautiful view over the Lake Kivu. Furthermore you interact with local people all along the trail. The Hike starts from Rubavu and ends at Umwakira Kivu Coffee, Rwinyoni Village, Kivumu sector, Rutsiro District). At this place, you learn the entire making process from seed to the finished product and you participate in some of the coffee making process activities such as roasting and pounding the coffee beans using traditional wooden mortar and pestle and a clay pot, winnowing and sieving using winnower basket and sieve to get the finished powder of coffee. Finally, using a largely open clay pot, you can now heat water over a fire and mix your own fresh cup of Rwandan coffee and taste. After sharing lunch (local food) with the community, its representatives accompany you to the lake shore from which a boat picks you back to the hotel.

Activity plan summary

Briefing (at Gisenyi, close to Bralirwa)
Start hiking the CNT going through amazing landscapes composed by small villages, small hills, local shops, valleys by also going along coasts of lake Kivu, past banana trees and coffee plantations;
Make the stop-over at Umwakira Kivu Coffee, Rwinyoni Cell, Kivumu Sector, for the traditionally prepared coffee experience (learn the entire process of coffee making from seed , finished product and taste)
Receive the traditionally prepared coffee (souvenirs)
Relax with a small walk to the lake shore to take a boat for going back
Continue the relaxation with Boating tour back to Gisenyi
Arrival at the lake Kivu beach
De-briefing (at the beach)

About the Organizer

To be different from others, Kivu belt Village tours, ensures that its tours and experiences are:

100% safety continously guaranteed;
Offered with Reliable and safe transportation by e.g. bus, 4×4, bicycles, boats, canoes, etc.
Provided with respect of the Rwandan cultural values
Offered with Good knowledge of the environmental issues, what will be our footprint.
In different package deals including special activities for the different target groups available such as age categories and other special groups (all-in package deals).
Profits are shared with the Kivu Belt destination communities.

Groups of 1-4, 177,000 Rwf including guide, boat and coffee experience

Groups of 5+, 76,700 Rwf including guide, boat and coffee experience

Groups of 1-4, 566,400 Rwf including guide, boat and coffee experience plus 2 overnights in Rubavu and transfer from Kigali

Groups of 5+, 277,300 Rwf including guide, boat and coffee experience plus 2 overnights in Rubavu and transfer from Kigali

Highlights

Hike The Congo Nile Trail
Experience how coffee is grown and processed in Rwanda
Ride on a boat on Lake Kivu

Includes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

More products

Posted by Rasmus
Tags:Congo Nile Trail, Hiking, Kivu Belt, Rubavu, Tours.
Categories:Hiking, Tours and Activities

Ibere rya Bigogwe – Full day cow and hiking experience

10/10/2022 16:06

Ibere rya Bigogwe – Full day cow and hiking experience

This tour is operated by an external operator. Terms and Conditions can be read here

Activity Description

Meet at the office on the main road at the Rubavu-Nyabihu Border
Your guide will meet you at the Ibere rya Bigogwe office on the main road. The office is easily located by the arch which marks the border between Rubavu and Nyabihu Districts.

Hiking to Ibere rya Bigogwe
Your guide will start with a briefing about the day ahead. After the briefing you will start your hike towards Ibere rya Bigogwe. Ibere rya Bigogwe is a large rock formation and a famous land mark in the area. The start of the hike takes you through the villages around Bigogwe. After 20 minutes of hiking you will reach the bottom of the rock. The hike continues up the hillsides towards the top of Ibere rya Bigogwe. This part of the hike is a bit steeper and more challenging but passes through a forest. After another 1 hour of hiking you will reach the top of the rock. From here you have a splendid view over the surrounding landscape and you can see Mt. Karisimbi in Volcanoes National Park and Mt. Nyiragongo and Mikeno in DRC. If the weather is clear you will see all the way to Gisenyi town. There is also a meditation point at the top commonly used for praying by locals. Enjoy some cheese and fruit while listening to the story about how this rock got its name. Your guide will also introduce you to some local plants and their traditional uses. Return by hiking to Bigogwe town.

Travel by moto to the farms (by car if you have your own)
After the hiking to Ibere rya Bigogwe it is time to set off for the farms. The same way as locals in the area, you will travel on the back of a motorbike to the farms. The views of the landscape are breathtaking as you leave the main road behind and travel up the hills. A photo stop is usually made at one of the best view points. The trip takes around 30 minutes. Helmet is provided.

Explore the green hills of the farmlands
Once you reach the farms, your guide will introduce you to the cows and cowboys. You will dress in a colorful shuka or rumbiya, the traditional attire of cattle keepers and get a Inkoni, a stick carried by all cattle keepers. Learn about the history of the green hills of Bigogwe, stories about cows and the traditional Rwandan life connected to cows. The hills at the farms are some of most lush and green hills in Africa.

Lunch
A traditional lunch is served outside on the hillside of the farms at Bigogwe.

Milking the cows and tasting of fresh milk
Milking in Bigogwe is done by hands in traditional cans or ibyansi like inkongoro in wood, and Ingare made in bamboo. Get a lesson in milking by hand by the cowboys and try milking on your own. After milking you will taste the special “Bigogwe Cappuccino” as fresh as it gets straight from the cows.

Take the cows to drink water
The cows need lots of water. Twice daily they make their way to the river for a drink. Join the cowboys and use your inkoni (stick) and gentle whistles to move the cows down to the river for a drink. Watch the cowboys as the sing and whistle for the cows as they drink.

Cowboy games
The cowboys spend their life watching the cows. While the cows graze the cowboys have lots of free time. Many games and traditions have been invented by the cowboys. The most common games are URUKIRAMENDE or high jump, Kunyobanwa or stick fighting and Igisoro, a traditional game played with dried seeds on a wooden board. Watch the cowboys master these games and try on your own.

Traditional songs for the cows
When the cows rest after eating and milking, the cowboys sing to them. These traditional songs are called Kwivugira inka and have been passed on for generations. The songs repeat the names of the cows and include stories from legendary cows.

Making of traditional ghee
Leave the farms by motobike (or car if you have your own). Watch the traditional way women make Ikimuri or ghee by hand. Ikimuri is traditionally made by moving a large calabash or Igisabo back and forth. Learn how it is done and try making your own Ikimuri.

Return to main road and departure
It is time to say goodbye for now. Before you depart you may visit the shop and café where traditional crafts souvenirs and snacks are available.

About the Organizer

This experience is organized by Alex Ngabo and Ibere rya Bigogwe. Ngabo grew up with cows on the green hills in the area and is passionate to share this wonderful place with as many as possible.

Good to know

Extra info / What to bring

Hiking Shoes
Sweater & wind/rainproof jacket
The sun can be strong bring a hat & sunscreen

This Experience requires that you can do an uphill hike for 1-2 hours

Add-ons: Pick up and drop of at any hotel in Rubavu or Musanze can be organized at extra fee of 30,000 Rwf

Rwandans & EAC $40 Foreign Residents $50 Internationals $60

Highlights

Spend time on the greenest hills in Rwanda
Experience traditional Rwandan life with cows
Taste some fresh milk products
Try traditional Rwandan cowboy games

Includes

Excludes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

More products

Posted by Rasmus
Tags:Activities, Bigogwe, community based tourism, Hiking, Kivu Belt, Rubavu, Tours.
Categories:Community Tours, Hiking, Tours and Activities

Birding Trip Along The Kivu Belt from Rubavu

08/13/2022 8:32

Birding Trip Along The Kivu Belt from Rubavu

This tour is operated by an external operator. Terms and Conditions can be read here

Activity Description

Join a professional bird guide for a half day birding session around Rubavu with.

One day birding in Rubavu gives you remarkable experience to explore beautiful common birds, water birds, endemics and palearctic migrants during period of early August to late May. As you stay in Gisenyi you can walk around and visit nearby hotspot to enjoy colorful birds and birds’ songs as well. One afternoon or morning session is enough to encounter interesting birds and lifers as well, Sebeya Riverside, Lake Kivu Shores, Hotels’ Gardens, Mt. Rubavu, Nyundo Wetlands, Mt. Muhungwe are quite interested place to visit in half day while Gishwati-Mukura National Park one day is recommendable for better experience.

Morning Session

After early breakfast at 6:00 AM birding along Sebeya River and Mt.Nengo gives you chance to see most of colorful birds as well as water birds and raptors such as Black cuckoo shrike, Gray Capped Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Palm-nut Vulture and other many Species.

Afternoon Session

After noon birding session at Mt. Rubavu offer opportunities to see interesting sunbirds, babblers, soaring raptors and Twin Cities panoramic view at the top of the mountain. this incredible experience offers you opportunites to see palearctic migrants during migration periods of Aug-May.

About the Organizer

Wildlife conservation travels specialize in eco tours featuring Rwandas remarkable nature and wildlife

From 50 USD

Highlights

Spend a day birding in several different habitats
Hooded vultures are common sightings
Many different raptors and babblers inhabit the area

Includes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

More products

Posted by Rasmus
Tags:Birding, Kivu Belt, Rubavu, Tours.
Categories:Birding, Tours and Activities

Ibere rya Bigogwe – Half day cow experience

08/2/2022 15:33

Ibere rya Bigogwe – Half day cow experience

This tour is operated by an external operator. Terms and Conditions can be read here

Activity Description

The experience starts at the main Rubavu – Musanze Road where your guide will meet you at the Ibere rya Bigogwe office on the main road. The office is easily located by the arch which marks the border between Rubavu and Nyabihu Districts.

Travel by moto to the farms (by car
if you have your own)
After meeting your guide you will travel to the green pastures of Ibere rya Bigogwe where the cows graze. The same way as locals in the area, you will
travel on the back of a motorbike to the farms. The views of the landscape are breathtaking as you leave the main road behind and travel up the hills. A photo stop is usually made at one of the best view points. The trip takes around 30 minutes. Helmet is provided.

Meet the cows and watch them grazing
Once you reach the farms, your guide will introduce you to the cows and cowboys. You will dress in a colorful shuka or rumbiya, the traditional attire of cattle keepers and get a Inkoni, a stick carried by all cattle keepers. Learn about the history of the green hills of Bigogwe, stories about cows and the traditional Rwandan life connected to cows. The hills at the farms are some of most lush and green hills in Africa. Spend some time with the cows and cowboys in this peaceful setting

Return to main road and departure
It is time to say goodbye for now. Before you depart you may visit the shop and café where traditional crafts souvenirs and snacks are available.

About the Organizer

This experience is organized by Alex Ngabo and Ibere rya Bigogwe. Ngabo grew up with cows on the green hills in the area and is passionate to share this wonderful place with as many as possible.

Good to know

Extra info / What to bring

Hiking Shoes
Sweater & wind/rainproof jacket
The sun can be strong bring a hat & sunscreen

This Experience requires that you can walk for 1 km over uneven ground

Add-ons: Pick up and drop of at any hotel in Rubavu or Musanze can be organized at extra fee of 30,000 Rwf

Rwandans & EAC $30 Foreign Residents $35 Foreigners $40.

Highlights

Spend time on the greenest hills in Rwanda
Experience traditional Rwandan life with cows
Taste some fresh milk products
Try traditional Rwandan cowboy games

Includes

Excludes

More information

Contact the organizer

Map

More products

Posted by Rasmus
Tags:Activities, community based tourism, cows, Kivu Belt, Rubavu.
Categories:Community Tours, Tours and Activities

Destination Kivu Belt partnership with dTravela

11/9/2021 15:00

Destination Kivu Belt partnership with dTravela

Kivu Belt Partners with Rwandan OTA Dtravela to Bring the Rwandan Tourism Market Online

dTravela, the Kigali-based travel tech software, has recently entered a partnership with Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit, the official tourist board of Southwestern Rwanda. The partnership positions Rwandan travel tech provider dTravela as the official booking solution of the Kivu Belt giving operators access to crucial technology.

The Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit is a part of Rwanda’s Chamber of Tourism with a vision to position the Kivu Belt as a globally competitive and sustainable destination for adventure- and eco-tourism. A key part of the Kivu Belt’s strategy is to ensure that the local experiences used in branding are also bookable online. Their partnership with dTravela will accelerate this process by giving operators in the Kivu Belt direct access to the market and the ability to scale up their business through the smart use of technology.

Suppliers and local communities will be empowered to make their live inventory bookable on their own website and use a standardized booking system. To leverage this further, Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit will add booking capabilities to the Kivu Belt Travel Portal Kivubelt.travel. By collecting all products in one place, the Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit will be able to market the destination in an efficient way, generate more tourists and drive bookings to local companies.

Patrice Nostalgie, founder and CEO of dTravela, says:

“Kivu Belt Destination Management Units is leading the way for the sector in the Kivu Belt and in Rwanda. It is great to see a large regional Destination Management Organization going beyond using pretty pictures of local experiences and instead using technology to make them the key focus. Kivu Belt’s vision is very closely aligned with the philosophy and vision of dTravela. I am excited to see how the partnership will inspire to innovation and technology in the travel industry in Rwanda”.

By actively encouraging and enabling their local suppliers to use travel technology, the Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit is opening up the power of direct access to live inventory.

Henry Mugweri from the Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit comments on the partnership:

“We have been looking into a way of empowering local operators including local communities while achieving our vision of making the Kivu Belt a globally competitive and sustainable destination for adventure- and eco-tourism. After assessing the market, dTravela has been selected for their world class technology which also fits the local needs in the Kivu Belt.”

The choice from the Kivu Belt to partner up with a local travel tech provider stems in the industry’s need for a combination of local and global tools. dTravela is unique in the way they combine standard reservation technology with needs of the local Rwandan market such as payments and payouts in mobile money and a more conventional booking notification service in Kinyarwanda.

Through the partnership, members in the Kivu Belt will get access to preferential rates and free service from dTravela. The width of the partnership also ensures that smaller, but crucial actors such as community-based tourism providers can use technology to get access to new markets.

The partnership will complement the Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit’s mission to serve as a platform for actors in the Kivu Belt with the common goal of developing and promoting sustainable tourism. The partnership will also serve the Destination Management Unit’s activities of developing new tourist attractions and coordinating actors in the Kivu Belt.

Both dTravela and the Kivu Belt Destination Management Unit are confident that the partnership can provide an example for the wider Rwandan industry to follow.

Get bookable on Kivubelt.travel

As an operator, you can get your accommodation, tour, rental car or activity bookable online through dTravela.com and Kivubelt.travel to start receiving bookings.

Through a unique partnership with the Rwandan booking portal and technology provider dTravela, the Kivu Belt destination management unit has secured preferential rates and services for members of any of the associations under the Chamber of Tourism who are located in the Kivu Belt.

Set up is free and the system is financed through a small commission on bookings which can be passed on to the end customer or included in the price.

All member of the Chamber of tourism operating in or from the Kivu Belt will enjoy the following benefits:

30% discount on commission for bookings generated through the Kivu Belt Travel Portal
30% discount on commission for bookings generated through dtravela.com
Payment gateway fees included online bookings from Kivu Belt Travel Portal and dTravela.com
Free personal service which includes booking confirmation either by email, phone call or SMS
Access to free information and workshops on the use of dTravela and the benefits of online booking
Integration and onboarding assistance for new operators

It is very fast and easy to set up and account and you will get professional assistance and guidance from the dTravela team.

If you which to get your accommodation, tour, rental car or activity bookable online through dTravela.com and the Kivu Belt Travel Portal don’t hesitate to reach out to us and you will get set up.

Contact: Denyse INGABIRE, dTravela

+250788727013

denyse@dtravela.com