Emeraude Kivu Resort | Stunning Views of Lake Kivu
Overlooking the stunning Lake Kivu, Emeraude Kivu Resort is a beautiful and cozy accommodation facility situated in Kamembe town in Rwanda. The hotel is well known for its refreshing views of Lake Kivu, one of Rwanda’s rift valley lakes that is situated at an elevation of 1,500m which is the highest point of the East African rift valley. Staying at Emeraude Kivu Resort is a wonderful way to spend your time in Rwanda while enjoying the refreshing views of the lake. The best view is at the hotel’s restaurant where you can order for your meal as you take in the panoramic view of Lake Kivu.
Emeraude Kivu resort is a mid-range accommodation facility and guests usually visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park for the chimpanzee trekking adventure and Nyungwe forest canopy walk often times opt to stay at this hotel. It is however located a distance away from Nyungwe National Park but is the best mid-range option in the area as mid-range lodges at the edge of Nyungwe are not as up to standard as Emeraude Kivu resort.
The drive from Emeraude Kivu resort is 45 minutes by car and is manageable especially if you know the starting time of your activities in Nyungwe National Park. It is also a nice touch to let’s say trek the chimpanzees and then end your day taking in the views of Lake Kivu while relaxing at the hotel after a long day.
View of Lake Kivu from Emeraude Kivu Resort
Accommodation at Emeraude Kivu Resort
Emeraude Kivu resort has comfortable, spacious and cozy rooms spread out across the beautiful gardens of the lodge, the rooms overlook the lake.The colorful flowers and plants outside the rooms on some days attract beautiful sun birds. Emeraude Kivu resort features 10 rooms (8 deluxe rooms and 2 suites).
Deluxe room at Emeraude Kivu Resort
Each room at Emeraude Kivu resort consists of;
En-suite bathroom with a toilet, a shower, a sink, a mirror, shampoo, lotion, shower gel and bathing soap.
Hot running water available in bathroom the throughout the day.
Comfortable and clean linen including bed sheets, mattress covers and duvets.
Strong comfortable and wooden beds.
Bedside lamps on each side of the bed.
Mosquito nets suspended from the wooden beds.
A coffee and tea making station.
A private balcony with a reasonably sized couch and table where guests can sit.
Facilities and Services at Emeraude Kivu Resort
Restaurant – The hotel’s restaurant is beautifully decorated with authentic Rwandan décor and serves delicious food throughout the day. There is a chef’s special for the day but an a la carte menu is also available in case one wants to order directly off the menu. The restaurant serves a continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guest can decide to sit inside the restaurant or at the terrace, the terrace offers the best view of Lake Kivu. The restaurant staff also always arrange a parked breakfast for guests heading out into Nyungwe National Park for their chimpanzee trek and other activities that involve departing from the hotel early before the breakfast time for the restaurant.
Having Lunch at the terrace of Emeraude Kivu Resort. Lake Kivu in the background.
Bar – Emeraude Kivu resort has a well-stocked bar with some of the finest liquors and wines so one can order a drink at any time while on their stay. The hotel has a bar attendant present in case a guest needs a glass of wine, a gin and tonic or a cold beer. The perfect way to end your day is possibly with a drink while enjoying the sunset over Lake Kivu.
Spa and Wellness center – The spa at the hotel offers massage therapy, beauty treatments and wellness treatments. It is a great spot to relax and unwind as your body gets a much needed treat especially after park activities like hiking and trekking.
Gym – Emeraude Kivu resort has a gym available at the hotel for guests to workout. The gym is complimentary to your stay and is well-equipped.
Reception – The hotel features a reception area which is the first place you encounter as you approach the lodge’s main area. Here guests are welcomed to Emeraude Kivu, can ask questions and are also taken through a short briefing before being taken to their respective rooms. A receptionist is always available in case you need anything throughout your stay.
Other Services at the Lodge include ample car parking area, Wi-Fi for internet connectivity, and maximum security.
Top things to do while staying at Emeraude Kivu Resort in Rwanda
Rwanda also known as the land of a thousand hills has so much to offer a visitor on safari in the country. This means that if you book your stay at Emeraude Kivu there are a number of activities that you can do that will make your stay even more memorable and these include;
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of Rwanda’s most popular national park and is home to the amazing chimpanzee in Rwanda. A chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe Forest which is one of Africa’s oldest rain forest takes you on an adventure that involves trekking to see these active primates that spend most of their time in the dense thick Nyungwe forest. The chimpanzee trek can be done in the morning so that would typically mean that your driver guide picks you up from Emeraude Kivu resort at 5:00am, you leave the resort with packed lunch and then head out to the starting point of the chimpanzee trek located at the park. The park has two habituated chimpanzee communities that are available for visitors to see, only 8 visitors are allowed to track each group per day.
Canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest takes you along the Igishigishigi Trail and it involves walking to the starting point of the canopy walk, birding along the way and spotting small animals like squirrels in the forest. The canopy walk in Nyungwe is a 200 km walkway atop a suspended bridge with stunning views of the thick dense rain forest from the top, flowering plants below the walkway and incredible views of the undulating hills covered by thick forest, a picturesque moment! The canopy walk begins at Uwinka Visitor’s centre where you are assigned a site guide and receive briefing from said guide.
Visit Bugarama Hot springs
If you have an afternoon to spare while staying at Emeraude Kivu one can visit the Bugarama hot springs, a popular attraction in the area. The visit to the Bugarama hot springs is a guided excursion that involves visiting the hot springs, taking photos and details on the formation of the hot springs by your guide. The hot springs are situated at the base of a limestone quarry which is a few kilometers away from the Cimerwa cement factory. The other interesting part about the hot springs is the attachment that the locals have to the hot springs as some of them believe that the waters of the hot springs can heal certain diseases. Locals usually visit these hot springs to bathe in the water with hopes of being healed.
Bird watching in Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe national park offers excellent bird watching with over 300 species of birds to look out for while on your Rwanda Birding safari. Nyungwe was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and therefore offers the keen birdwatcher a great birding in Rwanda experience. Birding in Nyungwe is done by expert birding guides from Rwanda knowledgeable about birding Nyungwe and site birding guides who are equally experienced. For the keen birdwatcher even before you head out into Nyungwe National Park for birding, you will spot some birds at Emeraude Kivu especially in the lush hotel gardens.
Our Tours to Nyungwe Forest National Park – Tailored Itineraries / staying at Emeraude Kivu Resort
