It’s a beautiful Saturday morning here in Rubavu. I am writing this while having breakfast in the manicured garden of Kivu Park Hotel, a stone’s throw away from Lake Kivu. This is my second sojourn at Kivu Park in about a month. Over the past four years or so, I have been staying here quite often.
Rubavu weekend getaways are popular. Whether you prefer nursing a drink at the beach, having a barbecue on Akeza Island, hiking Mount Muhungwe or catching Gisenyi’s nightlife fever, this sub-destination never disappoints.
I came to Rubavu yesterday. Upon arrival, I checked in. Then I headed to the neighboring Little Paris Restaurant. Kivu Park’s proximity to my favorite hangout joints enables me to stroll between the hotel and the latter in a few minutes.
After lunch, I kayaked for an hour. Kayaking is a water sport performed by propelling a lightweight boat known as a kayak. This engineless vessel is powered by a double-bladed paddle. Most kayaks have enclosed decks. However, the newly unveiled inflatable models are likely to dominate the market in the foreseeable future.
My kayaking expedition was followed by a business meeting at Saga Bay. This beach is popular with international tourists and Kigali dwellers running away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
When I am done writing this post, I will join members of my host community and participate in this month’s Umuganda. Umuganda is community work done every last Saturday of the month across the country. Later in the afternoon, I will head to Nyamyumba Beach. At Nyamyumba, I will kick back, relax and sample coffee grown in the area.
Although I am no longer a party animal, I am planning to be out until the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Speaking of tomorrow morning, there will be enough time to recover. Kivu Park Hotel allows guests to check out as late as 1 p.m. Besides, there are healing hands in the hotel’s sauna.
Rubavu is blessed with many attractions and a wide range of exciting activities. The district has a lot to offer in nature-based tourism, cultural experiences, agro-tourism, community-based excursions and much more.