Lake Kivu is one of Africa's most beautiful lakes — deep, clear, and framed by green hills that drop steeply into the water. Cyangugu sits at its southern tip and has good lake views from the town itself. The water is warm enough to swim in year-round, and the lack of the bilharzia parasite that plagues many African lakes means swimming is generally safe (check locally before diving in).
Boat trips on the lake can be arranged from the waterfront and range from a short afternoon outing to multi-day trips up to Gisenyi in the north. The lake harbours large quantities of dissolved methane gas — a geological curiosity that locals have begun tapping for energy — but this has no effect on the water or swimming.
The sunsets over the lake and the hills of the DRC beyond are among the finest in the region.