Rwanda's Largest Lake

The largest lake in RWANDA, a relatively small Central African country and republic, is Lake Kivu. The lake's French name is Lac Kivu. Part of a string of lakes straddling the Great Rift Valley, Lake Kivu — and the Ruzizi River flowing from the lake's southern tip — forms Rwanda's western border with D.R. Congo. Multiple small islands in Lake Kivu are located in the Rwandan portion, but they are far smaller than Île Idjwi in the D.R. Congo. Named islands in Rwanda include Bugarura, Gakoyi, Gishamwana, Ishwa, Iwawa (Wahu), Kabuhongo, Mbabara, Ngarwa, Nkombo, Ntumba (Dumba), Nyamirundi, Nyantima, Nyarugwa, Tembabagoye, and Udushivire. Lakeside residents travel about 50 miles and 80 kilometers in order to reach the nation's capital, Kigali. Coastal communities in Rwanda include Bwerankoli, Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kagano (Nyamasheke), Kibuye, Kigufi, Rugaragara, and Rushaka. Ferry services carry people to and from Gisenyi and Bukava (D.R. Congo).