Where to stay in Gisenyi: town centre, lakeside or Nyamyumba

De bedste seværdigheder i Gisenyi

1. 1

   Lake Kivu

   One of the African Great Lakes, ringed by terraced hills, with calm blue water and small wooded islands. It is the heart of the town's appeal, with kayaking, paddleboarding and boat trips, and sunset is the favourite time to be on the shore.

2. 

   2.Gisenyi Beach

   The sandy lakefront beach is the heart of the resort, with hotels and small bars close by, and it is busiest at weekends when Rwandan visitors arrive. The water is calm and the setting among green hills is lovely at sunset, and weekdays are much quieter.

3. 3

   Pfunda Tea Factory

   A tea factory in the hills above the town, surrounded by neat rows of tea bushes. Visitors can learn how the leaves are processed, and the surrounding estates offer good walking, so ask your accommodation to arrange a visit.

4. 4

   Nyamyumba hot springs

   Natural hot springs on the shore of Lake Kivu a few kilometres south of the town, where warm water emerges beside the lake. The sites are simple and rural, so go with a local driver or guide and check conditions first.

5. 5

   Bralirwa Brewery

   The brewery of Rwanda's main brewing company is a local landmark and a major employer in the town. Visits are not always on offer, so ask your hotel whether a tour can be arranged.

Hvor du bør bo i Gisenyi

• Gisenyi town centre

  The centre has the markets, banks, buses and most restaurants, all within walking distance. It suits budget travellers and anyone who values convenience, although it is busier and noisier than the lakeshore.

• Gisenyi lakeside

  Hotels and guesthouses along the lakefront have gardens, beach access and sunset views. It suits couples and families who want to relax by the water, with the town a short walk or motorbike ride away.

• Nyamyumba

  A quieter stretch of the lakeshore south of the town, with villas, lodges and the hot springs. It suits travellers after calm and nature, although you will need a driver or motorbike taxi for meals out.

Den bedste tid at besøge Gisenyi

Rwanda has two dry seasons, from June to September and again from December to February, and these are the best times for clear views and easy travel. The main rains fall from March to May and in October and November, bringing green hills and mist but muddier roads. Lake Kivu lies at about 1,460 metres, so the air is warm rather than hot, and evenings can be cool. Mornings tend to be the clearest, and weekends are busier on the beach as Rwandan visitors arrive.

Sådan kommer du rundt i Gisenyi

Gisenyi is small and compact, and most of the town centre can be covered on foot. Motorbike taxis, called moto, are everywhere, and passengers must wear a helmet. Buses run frequently between Gisenyi and Kigali and take around three hours, with other services to Karongi and Musanze. Private drivers are easy to arrange through hotels for trips to the tea estates or Volcanoes National Park. Avoid walking alone along unlit stretches of the lakefront after dark.

Mad og drikke i Gisenyi

Fish from the lake is the local speciality: try grilled tilapia, and isambaza, tiny fried lake fish eaten whole with a squeeze of lime. Brochettes, skewers of grilled goat or beef, are the national snack and a fixture at every bar. Meals usually come with cassava, plantain, potatoes or beans, and a green salad. Rwandan coffee and tea are excellent, both grown in the hills around the lake, and local beers are brewed in the town. Many lakefront hotels have terrace restaurants that suit a long, slow lunch.

Spørgsmål om at besøge Gisenyi