Twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Rwanda
The twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo are located in a small country Rwanda at the base of Mountain Muhabura between the borders of Uganda and Rwanda. The twin lakes are found in Musanze a town that the famous volcanoes national park that hosts mountain gorillas is located.
Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo were formed as a result of a volcanic eruption that took place in the Virunga volcanoes making the lava flow and block River Nyabarongo channel and this led to the formation of these lakes. Twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo are 600 meters apart and it’s Ntaruka stream that connects these two twin lakes.
Most of the tourists that visit Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo take part in activities of volcanoes national park like the mountain gorilla trekking activity which is done among 10 fully habituated families, golden monkey trekking, and hiking which is done on Virunga mountains such as Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, and Gahinga. Mount Sabyinyo is not available for hiking because its hiking trails are steep.
Tourism activities at twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo
Boat cruise
Boat cruises are the most done activities done on Lake Burera and Ruhondo and these are done on canoes. Boat cruises on Lake Burera and Ruhondo are done in the morning or evening session and they do give the same experience. The boat cruises do take you around the lakes visiting some of the islands as you enjoy the cool breeze. You will also have a distant view of Mountain Gahinga, Bisoke, and Karisimbi on a boat cruise at Lake Burera and Ruhondo.
Twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Rwanda
During the boat cruise, you will be able to see some of the aquatic animals such as fish and the good thing is the lakes don’t harbor crocodiles and hippos. You will also spot some of the water birds near the shores such as strange weaver, African jacana, dusky turtle dove, red-faced woodland, cormorants, kingfishers, browned naked parrot, and grey craned cranes among others.
Birding
Tourists on a safari to twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo can have birding activities around the lake by taking nature walks that are guided. Around the shores of the twin lakes are swamps and other types of vegetation that do act as a home to different bird spies and here you will just need to move with a birding book and a pair of binoculars to see distant bird species.
Some of the bird species you will spot around Lake Burera and Ruhondo include grey crowned cranes, strange weaver, African jacana, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, dusky turtle dove, red-backed shrike, red-faced woodland, handsome francolin, cormorants, strange weaver, and browned naked parrot among others.
Fishing
Fishing is another activity that tourists on a visit to Lake Burera and Ruhondo can be part of. Rwanda is not known that much for fishing and the fishing activities are done on a few lakes include the twin lakes. There are fishing vessels and the local people do teach the tourists how they can catch the fish. If you are planning to be part of the fishing activities while on safari to Lake Burera and Ruhondo then come with your fishing equipment along to catch a number of fish types. You will be given some fish to go cook and eat with your friends.
The Best time to visit Lake Burera and Ruhondo
Tourists can visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo at any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest and these are the drier months. The drier months do happen in June to September and December to February and they are characterized by little or no rainfall and this leaves the water levels down which leaves the activities on the lake going on very well. There is less fog in the surrounding areas and this gives clear views of the mountains, vegetation and much more.
Tourists can still visit lake Burera and Ruhondo in the rainy season of March to May and October to November but during these months there is plenty of rainfall and this might hinder some of the activities. The rainy season favors the birders because most of the birds are around this area including the migratory ones.
Getting to twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo
Twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo can be accessed using road type of transport from Kigali city. Travelers that are not in Rwanda will have to fly into Rwanda international airport where they will meet their driver guide to take them to the northwestern part of the country where the twin lakes are located. The distance from Kigali to twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo takes 2-3 hours of beautiful views of the surrounding areas on the way. Those in southwestern Uganda can cross to Rwanda and visit the twin lakes using Katuna and Cyanika border.
A tour to the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo Rwanda can be extended to Volcanoes national park to track one of the habituated gorilla families such as Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Amahoro gorilla family among others.
