Gorilla Safaris Rwanda

Rwanda Gisenyi Hotels, Rwanda Gisenyi Accommodation /Tourist Attractions, Car Hire/Rental

Located on the shores of lake Kivu, Gisenyi (Recently renamed Rubavu) is a popular lake side resort.  Across the border lies Goma in the DR Congo.  Goma is peaceful and there are taxi services linking it to Gisenyi and Kigali.  However a majority of the tourists use Gisenyi as a base to explore Goma and the nearby active volcano of Nyiragongo plus track gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Our Gisenyi/ Rubavu hotel directory below features hotels, guest houses and lodges in Gisenyi(Rubavu), Rwanda.  The Gisenyi (Rubavu) Hotel Directory is just a guideline as to the prices of the hotel and these are subject to change.  Upon reservation request, we will confirm the actual price and get back to you.

Gisenyi has a large number of hotels of diverse classes.  At the top of the range is the Kivu Sun Serena Hotel.   Other hotels in Gisenyi/ Rubavu include the Stipps Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel, Ubumwe Hotel, La Bel Vedre and Regina hotel.  Below is the list of the hotels in Gisenyi, their location and prices in USD

Kivu Sun Serena Hotel

Facilities: swimming p, beach, internet net, conference

Rates

Single USD 190.00 || Double USD 207.00   BB

Stipps/Stipp Hotel

swimming pool, conference, internet

Single USD 100 .00 ||USD  120.00 BB

Peace Land Hotel

conference, internet

 Single USD 80.00 || Double  100.00 BB

La Bel Vedre

Single 40.00 || Double  60 .00 BB

Paradis Malahide Hotel

Single USD 60.00 || Double USD  80.00 BB

Ubumwe Hotel

Single USD 20.00 || USD  30.00 BB

Regina Hotel

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

• Gishamwana Island with its coffee plantation, picnic and campsites.

• Volcanoes national park is just 60 km away.  One can wake up very early in the morning and make it to track gorillas

• 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.

• The Virunga National Park  in DR Congo - ideal for gorilla tracking.

•  Lake Kivu with its beach ideal for swimming, boat rides and sun bathing.

• 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.