Rwanda
Fishing on Lake Kivu and exploring Nyungwe Forest
Start your day early with a unique fishing expedition on Lake Kivu, joining local fishermen as they go about their morning routine. Afterward, head to Nyungwe National Park, where a canopy walkway lets you explore the tropical rainforest from above. A day full of nature and adventure!
Rowing into the sunrise: a fisherman’s morning on lake Kivu.
The alarm went off at 4:30 AM, and for a moment, I questioned what we were going to do. Was I really about to step into a fishing boat on the pitch-black waters of Lake Kivu with a group of strangers? Adventure and discomfort blurred into one. By 5:00 AM, we stood by the lake, in complete darkness and silence. A small speedboat arrived, taking us to the fishermen who had been working all night. Their boats—three wooden vessels tied together—formed a floating platform where we quietly observed their routine. They moved in perfect sync, untangling nets, shaking out tiny fish, laughing as we hesitated to hold a still-wriggling catch. Sometimes, they burst into laughter, and we had no idea why. Then, as the sun rose, they began singing while rowing back to shore. Pure magic. If you want to experience local life at its rawest, this is it.
Nyungwe Forest canopy walkway: walking above the jungle
If there’s one thing that really gives you a bird’s eye view of the world, it’s walking 70 meters above the ground on the Nyungwe Forest Canopy Walkway. We arrived early and were ready to experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective. The walkway is suspended high between the trees. You get a view over a sea of trees as far as the eye could see. You could feel the sway beneath your feet. The real magic was in seeing monkeys, like the Colobus monkey, underneath us.
Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
After an exhilarating day, we arrived at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, ready to relax. It was our last night in Rwanda, so we took a moment to repack our backpacks, read a book, and go through our photos. The terrace of our lodge was the perfect place for all of this. The only time we left our seats in the sun was when we went for dinner at the restaurant.
