Rwanda: Jambo Beach & Lake Muhazi

Enjoying Rwanda's Natural Beauty

Apr 26, 2008 Marion Grace Woolley

Rwanda's tourism industry is flying high and rightly so with such stunning natural beauty as Lake Muhazi.

Billed as one of the safest countries in Africa and attracting an increasing number of European and world travellers lured by the pull of gorilla trekking in the Virunga mountains or game spotting at Akagera National Park, there are still a number of undisturbed beauty spots worth the effort of exploring. One of Rwanda’s greatest is Lake Muhazi.

This tranquil body of water rests less than a two hour bus journey from Kigali, just north of Kayonza.

Accommodation

There are three main options for accommodation. If you are on a shoestring budget and don’t mind a comfortable bed with very basic amenities (no running water!), start walking up the hill opposite Seeds of Peace towards the village of Gahini. It’s quite a hill but at the top, opposite the school, you will find a guesthouse for around FRW 6,000 (£6/$12) per night for a double room. For those with a bit more money to spare, Seeds of Peace host luxury lake-side bungalows for FRW 20,000 (£20/$40) per night and, for large parties, you can hire-out the entire Bishop’s Guesthouse further down the road which will set you back around FRW 200,000 (£200/$400) but has running hot water, a large social area and its own kitchen with room for around 10 people. A single room there will set you back £12/$24 or £15/$30 for a double. The Bishop's Guesthouse can be booked through Seeds of Peace.

To See and Do

Lake Muhazi itself is the main attraction, the president even owns a house here. You can swim in the lake from both Seeds of Peace or Jambo Beach and boat rides costs around FRW 1,000 (£1/$2). There is also a traditional Mwami hut at Seeds of Peace: a model replica of a King’s house from the former Rwandan monarchy.

Jambo Beach is the main pull for most tourists. It is a little bar by the lake shore, unfortunately contrary to the name-sake there is no beach, but it does have a dance floor and is a very relaxed place to boogie the night away.

Jambo Beach is also home to two beautiful crested cranes and a tree full of weaver-birds. Otters swim in the lake and black-and-white Kingfishers regularly dive for their dinner. A great place to observe some of East Africa’s most beautiful wildlife.

Food & Drink

Seeds of Peace does a very nice traditional breakfast of bread and omelette for around FRW 1,000 (£1/$2) each and their fish brochettes are highly recommended, but being a Christian association they do not serve alcohol on the premises. Just up the road at Jambo Beach you can also get good food (especially the tilapia) and a beer at the same time.

Transport

The Atraco Kiramurzi express busses run regularly from Kigali to Gahini (the closest village) and will cost you around FRW 1,500 (£1.50/$3) one-way. Once you pass Kayonza, keep an eye-out on the left for the lake and a large sign saying ‘Jambo Beach’. The return journey is a little more tricky, you may be lucky and get a direct express straight through to Kigali from outside Jambo Beach, but more likely you will need to change at Kayonza (cross the road and buy a ticket from the man at the desk). Take a good book and some water with you, you may have to wait around. Last busses tend to leave around 3pm.

The copyright of the article Rwanda: Jambo Beach & Lake Muhazi in Sub-Sahara Africa Travel is owned by Marion Grace Woolley. Permission to republish Rwanda: Jambo Beach & Lake Muhazi in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Crested Crane: Resident of Jambo Beach