Camp In The Foothills Of Volcanoes On This Island

In northern Rwanda, the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo sit in the shadows of extinct volcanoes. Rarely visited by tourists, these lakes and their lush green surroundings are so exquisite that photographs rarely do them justice.
Although Rwanda is undoubtedly the land of weekend trips – with countless activities and picturesque destinations available year-round – Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo are true hidden gems. For a perfect lakeside experience, spend a few days camping on an island in the middle of Lake Burera.

With calm blue waters and front row seats to the gorgeous Mount Muhabura, Ile de Cyuza (also known as Cyuza’s Island) is a special place to stay. Although Rwanda has dozens of spectacular lakes, Burera offers crisp mountain air, thick green forests, and spectacular sunrises making it one of the best spots. Clear skies reveal views of not just one but four stunning volcanoes, available to hike before or after your idyllic island getaway.

Although it’s totally worth the journey, Cyuza’s Island can be somewhat tricky to locate. The island is owned by the La Paillotte hotel in Musanze, and guests are encouraged to make reservations through the hotel’s website. Trips to the island start from Musanze – from where it’s only a thirty-minute drive to the shoreline. Buses from Kigali to Musanze leave every thirty minutes from the Virunga Express bus line and a ticket costs less than US$2.
After arriving in Musanze, travellers are usually asked to visit the nearby La Paillotte restaurant – where they can meet the island owners and have dinner – before taking the next bus to Rugarama, a small town near the shore of Lake Burera. The manager of the island meets the guests there, and after a bumpy motorcycle ride or an hour long walk, Lake Burera appears. A small boat takes guests to the island and the short ride provides the first glimpse of the majestic lake.
Cyuza’s Island spans 14 hectares, with sections comprising vegetable cultivation and fruit trees. Kayaks, boat trips, and other activities are available upon request, but don’t hesitate to spend your days lazing around on the island shores, reading a good book, or going for a swim in the temperate water. Travellers have the option of renting tents and sheets from the island, but are not required to do so. Although the tents and mattresses provided are comfortable, this won’t be a luxurious experience as there are no showers and just a single eco-toilet on the island.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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