Lake Ruhondo and its islands, seen from the open tent onto the wooden deck

Ruhondo
Campsite View

A safari tent above Lake Ruhondo, in the north of Rwanda. Islands below, volcanoes on the horizon.

From the deck, the lake changes colour with every hour. The islands drift in the morning mist, and the volcanoes come and go in the clouds.

A lake made by volcanoes

Muhabura, 4,127 m Lake Burera, about 1,860 m Ntaruka falls Lake Ruhondo, about 1,760 m The camp Mukungwa river
Lake Burera sits about 100 metres above Lake Ruhondo. The water drops from one to the other at Ntaruka.

Born from lava

Long ago, lava from the Virunga volcanoes blocked the valleys here. Rain and rivers filled them, and two lakes appeared side by side.

The twin lakes

Burera is the upper lake, Ruhondo the lower one. The Ntaruka power station uses the fall between them, and the Mukungwa river carries the water on towards the Nile.

The one who guides

On a clear morning, Muhabura rises behind the hills. Its name means "the one who guides", because travellers once used its peak to find their way.

Woven chair and Rwandan mat on the wooden deck, facing Lake Ruhondo

Life on the deck

The camp sits on the slope above the shore, among tall grasses and eucalyptus. Everything is made by hand: wooden decks, woven chairs, Rwandan mats.

Walk the paths around the lake, cross it by boat, or stay on the deck with a coffee and watch the light move over the islands.

The tent

Simple comfort, off the grid.

  • Sleeping

    A modular tent for 2 to 4 guests, with double air mattresses on a firm frame.

  • Power

    Solar panel and generator, lights throughout, a Bluetooth speaker. Strong mobile network.

  • Kitchen

    Two charcoal burners and all the cooking utensils you need.

  • Washing

    A 20-litre hot shower and a dry toilet.

  • Security

    Padlocks for the tent, and a guard on site if you ask.

  • Pets

    Your dog is welcome too.

On request

  • Home-cooked meals
  • Local guide
  • Groceries
  • Laundry
  • Boat trips

Check-in from 14:00. Check-out by 13:00.

Your host

A Breton on Lake Ruhondo

Yvan grew up in Brittany, facing the Atlantic. He has lived in Rwanda for many years and calls it home. Above Lake Ruhondo, he found a new shore.

He built the camp himself and knows every path around the lake. He speaks French, English, German and Spanish.

Wooden steps and a hand-painted sign reading Ruhondo Campsite View

Getting here

  1. Kigali to Musanze

    About two hours by bus.

  2. Musanze to the lake

    30 minutes by moto from the bus station.

  3. The last steps

    A short wooden path climbs from the track to the camp.

Come and see the lake.

Check dates and book on Airbnb. For any question, write to Yvan directly.

Check dates on Airbnb