Experience Lake Kivu’s Singing Fishermen

Experience Lake Kivu’s Singing Fishermen: Fishing in three-wheeled canoe boats is done in Rubavu/Gisenyi, and the fishermen’s experience on the lake is a recently developed tourism activity on the lake’s banks that has started to attract a lot of visitors.

Spending the night in Gisenyi following gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe National Park and lodging in Rubavu / Gisenyi is more common among visitors on Rwanda gorilla safari excursions. This incredible, authentic lake Kivu fishing experience could bring some color to your evening.

You could just use your Budget Gorilla Trekking package to encrypt this. An excellent recommendation for anyone who wants to know more about Rwanda outside of the tourist areas. The fishermen’s story is as insightful and genuine as it gets.

Discover the Singing Fishermen of Lake Kivu.

Hundreds of peculiar three-hulled fishing boats depart from villages all over Rwanda‘s coastline as dusk draws near. These exquisite boats progressively become less visible against the lowering sky thanks to their distinctive long poles attached to their bows and sterns. They search for deep water several miles into the lake in small groups, where they set their nets and spend the entire night fishing.

Visit a hotel in Bralirwa, which is roughly 7 km from Gisenyi, the inlets of Kibuye, or coastal settlements like Cyimbili or Kinunu to see them depart at nightfall. Pay close attention. There’s no wind in the calm evening, therefore sails are not used. Rather, since they shout in unison to synchronize their paddle strokes and support one another, each team of fishermen paddles off with extraordinary agility and speed.

When viewed from the shore, this is a fascinating sight. But why not head out to the lake and stand next to them? The best way to see the fishing boats and hear the workers while kayaking silently out onto Lake Kivu is unquestionably to paddle out and catch the sunset. You can only get up close to the fishermen, watch them paddle, and fully appreciate their music when you’re out on the sea.

The fishing boats arrive when night comes. They light lamps to entice Isambaza, a type of little sardine, and the larger, more flavorful Tilapia that they catch in their nets. The lights from all the fishing boats that are strewn across the lake soon give Lake Kivu the appearance of a starry sky. From one of the opulent lodges, guesthouses, or even a private island campground that dot its coastline, it appears both majestic and attractive.

Nonetheless, fishing is a challenging profession for those who work in the ocean. Because of the unique physical characteristics of Lake Kivu, which restrict the number of fish it can support, their catches are minimal. Because of this, even though they work hard for the majority of the year, they all take a few days off every month (around the full moon) as well as in September and October to give the fish time to spawn again.

One of the most well-liked activities in Gisenyi and Kibuye is kayaking on Lake Kivu, partly because of the sight of fishing boats leaving for the evening. Thus, if you carefully organize your trip, you will not only have an amazing time on the water but will also be rewarded with a unique and unforgettable experience in Rwanda.

Among the greatest in the nation, the images captured during the fishermen’s trip on Lake Kivu are immaculate. The whole experience is authentic; local fishermen, Congolese and Rwandan on a joint fishing expedition, go about their everyday lives unaffected or subdued by the presence of tourists. They fish and sing traditional folk songs as they cast their nets into the water in hopes of catching something. You will adore these tunes.

When is the ideal time to visit Lake Kivu and see the Singing Fishermen?

One of the most beautiful things to do in Rwanda is spend an evening on the beaches of Lake Kivu. The yells and whistles of fishermen heading to the lake’s center to get ready for another night of work come to life as the sun sets on the lakefront communities.

Tourists who wish to accompany the fishermen on their journey should be prepared by the lake’s edges by 4.30 p.m. to observe the entire procedure, which starts with the fishermen setting up their fishing equipment—three boats, nets, and lamps—as they form a team and set out into the lake.

A private boat tour with a guide who serves as a translator and helps you during the fishing process by describing what happens is something you should have scheduled in advance.

Hundreds of fishermen row to the middle of the lake to start their workday while shouting and whistling in time. While hunting, they get lost in the lake and sing for courage and help to paddle their boats.

How much time does it take to experience Lake Kivu?

Known as the singing fishermen of Lake Kivu, the fishermen’s nightly journey across the lake is incredibly captivating due to their melodic songs and brightly lit lanterns. They attempt to catch fish throughout the entire night, which can extend from around 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Those who wish to witness this will meet them at approximately 4 p.m. to watch them start getting ready until they follow them on a different boat. Afterward, they can join the fishermen on their three-boat canoe to observe the fishing adventure. The fisherman light their gas lights at 6:30 p.m. to draw the fish to their nets when it grows darker outside. This gives the lake a beautiful lighting look akin to candlelight dinner dates.

The people that live near Lake Kivu are highly recognized for their lights. The lake appears incredibly vibrant at night thanks to the dazzling fishing lights. The fishermen hoist the net at last, after waiting for hours; they will do this up to three times that night before heading back to shore.

After the nets are lowered into the ocean, guests can go back to their lodgings between 8 and 9 p.m. The entire event may take two to four hours, depending on how interested a person is. It appears nice to watch from the lake’s edge; why not stroll over and spend some time with them? Because you won’t be able to interact with them and pay attention to every detail of the interaction unless you watch.