A 1-Day Canoe Voyage Through Rwanda’s Living River  of the TwinLakes 

An immersive journey through Rwanda’s riverine soul , where each ripple carries a story, and the Virunga Volcanoes stand guard over a timeless landscape.

Itinerary Overview
Duration: 4 hours total (2.5–3 hours on the water)
Location:  Foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, Musanze – Kinigi region
Departure Point: Crema Coffee Shop, Musanze
Scheduled Starts: 08:30 | 11:00 | 14:00 (Other times on request for exclusive trips)
Minimum Age:  7 years (accompanied), 16 years (solo)
Experience Level:  No prior experience needed – full instruction provided
Activity Level: Moderate
Transport: Not included ( arranged upon request )

Your Canoe Experience
The journey begins in Musanze, with a warm welcome and orientation at Crema Coffee Shop or at Your Hotel in Musanze – the perfect place to sip Rwanda’s finest brew while taking in the volcanic horizon. After a 15-minute transfer, your British Canoeing-certified activity leader will prepare you riverside for the adventure ahead.

Set in the emerald  foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, this curated river experience offers more than scenery – it unveils a living, breathing canvas of rural life. Paddle gently past banana groves and traditional homesteads, where curious children wave and farmers tend the land with ancestral rhythm.

Glide past kingfishers, egrets, and weavers – with over 20 of the river’s 40+ bird species in view. With a touch of fortune, you may spot the elusive spotted-necked otters playfully emerging from their aquatic sanctuary.

After mastering your canoe on calm waters, you’ll approach a short rapid, where helmets are worn and excitement builds. A second briefing preps you for a lively 200m stretch, where the river dances swiftly through gentle bends – a pulse of exhilaration in an otherwise tranquil descent.

At the journey’s end near a rural bridge, a 20-minute return transfer brings you back to Musanze, or 35 minutes to Kinigi. Along the way, carry with you more than photos – bring home the sound of the water, the scent of the hills, and the quiet connection to a land and its people.

What’s Included
– Expert guidance from qualified, professional activity leaders
– Stable, modern canoes and all safety equipment
– Filtered drinking water (please bring a refillable bottle)

What to Bring
– Comfortable clothing (shorts & T-shirt that can get wet)
– Footwear for land – sandals or flip-flops are fine
– A hat, sunscreen, raincoat (wet season), towel, and dry clothes
– Your spirit of discovery

Responsible Travel
This experience is crafted to preserve and protect. Minimal environmental impact, zero single-use plastics, support for local farmers, and low-carbon operation define its sustainable DNA. Our lunches and packaging are eco-conscious, and we continue to work toward complete sustainability.

Note:

• Please arrive on time. Missed departures are non-refundable. While accessible to most, those with limited mobility should contact us in advance to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
• if you bring your own car, our driver can drive your car to the end of the trip, so it is there when you finish. You must sign a waiver and pay him for his transport back to the start.