Aho abantu bazajya bicira isari n’inyota bitegeye ikiyaga cya Kivu

Nyuma y’umwaka wose itegerejwe, plage mpimbano ya Nyakariba ngo ishobora gutangira kwakira abantu mu mpera za 2012.

Hashize umwaka ahitwa Nyakariba mu mujyi wa Kibuye batangiye kuhubaka aho abantu bazajya baruhukira bumva amahumbezi aturuka mu Kivu, bari no ku musenyi muhimbano (plage artificielle / artificial beach). Ariko hashize igihe kirenga umwaka imirimo yo kubaka yarahagaze.

Nk’uko byemezwa na NGARAMBE Vedaste, Rwiyemezamirimo urimo kubaka iyo plage, ngo yagiye ahura n’inzitizi nyinshi mu mirimo ye. Avuga ko usibye akazi ka mbere kari kagoranye cyane ko gukuraho urufunzo no kuhumisha mbere yo kuhamena amabuye n’umusenyi, ngo yanagize ikibazo cyo gutinda guhabwa ibyangombwa n’Ikigo cy’Igihugu Gishinzwe Ibidukikije (REMA).

Mu kiganiro twagiranye kuri Telefone, Mutabazi Vedaste yavuze ko aho hantu hasuwe na REMA na RDB  bakamwemerera ibyangombwa, nawe akaba arimo kwisuganya mu rwego rw’imari, ku buryo mu mpera z’uyu mwaka plage ya Nyakariba izatangira kwakira abantu. Ni byo asobanura agira ati: Ndabizeza ko ku bunani rwose muzatangira kuhafatira akantu.

Iyo ugeze ahubakwa plage ya Nyakariba mu murenge wa Bwishyura, koko usanga imirimo y’ibanze yararangiye. Inzu igenewe kwakira abaje kwica akanyota n’isari yamaze gusakarwa, umusenyi muhimbano nawo wamaze kumenyera, usibye ko ibyiyoni ari byo bihibera kubera ko hataratangira gukoreshwa.

Umusenyi wamaze kumenyera, igisigaye n’ibyiyoni byimukira abantu

Ni umushinga Rwiyemeza mirimo yumvikanyeho n’akarere ka Karongi we akahashora imari, akarere nako kakazumvikana nawe ku micungire yaho amaze kuharangiza, nk’uko byemejwe n’umuyobozi w’akarere ka Karongi Kayumba Bernard agira ati: Akarere nta mafaranga gaha abikorera, twe tuzumvikana nawe kuri gestion yaho aharangije.

Ikiyaga cya Karago kimwe mu byiza nyaburanga by’akarere ka Nyabihu

Uretse ikirunga cya Kalisimbi,imisozi myiza ya Gishwati n’inzuri,Ibere rya Bigogwe, n’ibindi byiza bitatse Nyabihu,Ikiyaga cya Karago ni kimwe mu byiza nyaburanga akarere ka Nyabihu gafite.

Iki kiyaga kikaba giherereye hagati y’umurenge wa Karago na Mukamira. Nk’uko Karambizi Benjamin ushinzwe ibidukikije mu karere ka Nyabihu yabidutangarije,ikiyaga cya Karago kiri ku buso bwa ha 100. Kikaba ubwacyo ari kimwe mu bidukikije bifite ubwiza nyaburanga butatse akarere ka Nyabihu.

Uretse kuba ari icumbi ry’urusobe bw’ibinyabuzima bikunda amazi ndetse n’ibiyabamo,gitera amahumbezi meza aho kiri,kandi kikaba na kimwe mu byiza bihatatse. Kuri icyo kiyaga haboneka bimwe mu binyabuzima nk’inyoni n’ibindi byakurura ba mucyerarugendo.

Kugeza ubu,bitewe n’isuri yakunze kucyangiza imanuka mu mugezi wa Nyamukongoro ukisukamo,akarere ka Nyabihu,ikigo cy’igihugu gishinzwe kwita ku bidukikije REMA,Minisiteri y’umutungo kamere n’abandi bafatanyabikorwa,bakoze ibishoboka byose mu kukibungabunga. Ibi bikorwa na n’ubu biracyakomeje,kugirango ikiyaga cya Karago gisubirane ubwiza bw’amazi cyahoranye mu myaka yashize ndetse n’ubunini cyahoranye.

Ibyo bikorwa bikaba bikorwa mu rwego rwo kubungabunga ibidukikije n’umutungo kamere. Abaturage bakaba basabwa kubungabunga iki kiyaga,amafi aherutse guterwamo n’ibidukikije muri rusange,kuko uretse bo ubwabo bacyegereye gifitiye akamaro,ibidukikije binafatiye runini Abanyarwanda n’isi muri rusange. Kubifata neza ikaba ari imwe mu ntambwe yo kurwanya imihindagurikire y’ibihe iteza ingaruka zitandukanye hirya no hino ku isi.

Inkengero z’ikiyaga cya Burera

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Burera buratangaza ko ubwiza nyaburanga bugaragara muri ako karere bugiye kubyazwa umusaruro kurusha ho kugira ngo ba mukerarugendo baza kuhasura bahasige amadovize bityo abanyaburera basezere ku bukene.

Mu karere ka Burera hari ibintu bitandukanye bikurura ba mukerarugendo: birimo ibiyaga bya Burera na Ruhondo n’imisozi ibikije, igishanga cy’Urugezi kibyara amazi y’ibyo biyaga ndetse n’ikirunga cya Muhabura kirimo ingagi zo mu birunga.

N’ubwo ariko hagaragara ibyo byiza nyaburanga, akarere ka Burera nta buryo kari karashyize ho kuburyo abakerarugendo bahasura bashobora kuhasiga amafaranga. N’ubwo bahasuraga nta naho babonaga barara kuko nta mahoteli ahari.

Sembagare Samuel, umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera avuga ko abakerarugendo baza gusura ako karere bakabura aho barara, bakajya kurara mu mahoteli yo mu karere ka Musanze, bakaba ariho basiga amafaranga. Ngo mu gihe kiri imbere ariko amafaranga yose azajya noneho asigara muri Burera.

Mu mihigo y’umwaka wa 2012-2013 akarere ka Burera kahize Hoteli izubakwa muri santere ya Kidaho, mu murenge wa Cyanika. Ni iya Musenyeri Dr.Mbanda Laurent wa diyosezi ya Shyira. Izaba yubatse muri kilometero eshatu uvuye ku kiyaga cya Burera nk’uko abisobanura.

Agira ati “twahize hoteli, baduhaye amashyi menshi cyane…ni inzu nini uko banyeretse igishushanyo mbonera cyayo, ni nziza…iyo ni imwe ariko abakuru barashimye bati “nibura akarere nyaburanga ntigakwiriye kubaho nta hoteli kagira…”

Akomeza avuga ko hari n’indi hoteli igiye kubakwa mu murenge wa Kagogo, nayo ikazaba iri hafi y’ikiyaga cya Burera. Izo hoteli zombie nizimara kuzura abakerarugendo bazajya baziruhukira mo basige amadovize kandi nozo zinatange akazi ku bantu benshi nk’uko Sembagare abivuga.

Amato agezwe ho mu biyaga

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera avuga ko mu rwego rwo gukomeza gukurura ba mukerarugendo bagiye gushyira amato mato yihuta mu kiyaga cya Burera kugira ngo abo bamukerarugendo bajye bakorera mo siporo.

Akomeza avuga ko kandi udusozi dukikije ibiyaga bya Burera na Ruhondo bazadukora kuburyo dukurura ba mukerarugendo kurusha ho. Ibyo bizatuma nibazajya bava kureba ingagi bazajya bahita baruhukira ku biyaga.

Agira ati “…barebe ingagi aho gusubira Musanze baze ku mazi. Turagura amato matoya. Dufite abafatanyabikorwa twaraganiriye, bagiye kuzana amato matoya bakore siporo yo mu mazi matange amafaranga”.

Akomeza avuga ko ibiyaga biri muri Burera biboneka hake mu Rwanda. Niyo mpamvu bigomba kubyazwa umusaruro atari uw’amafi gusa nk’uko abisobanura.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Burera yongera ho ko ibyo byose ari ibyo bahize mu mihigo y’umwaka wa 2012-2013 kugira ngo urwego rw’ishoramari rutezwe imbere muri ako karere.

Mu mihigo y’umwaka wa 2011-2012 akarere ka Burera kabaye aka gatandatu mu turere 30 tugize u Rwanda. Uwo mwanya bawubonye kubera ko batateje imbere ishoramari. Iyo baba barariteje imbere bari kuza mu myanya y’imbere   kurusha ho nk’uko Sembagare abisobanura.

Akomeza kandi ashishikariaza n’abandi bashoramari, gushora imari mu karere ka Burera bahubaka amacumbi, bahubaka inganda zitunganya ibihingwa bihera n’ibindi bityo abanyaburera batere imbere bakora imirimo idashingiye ku buhinzi gusa.

Bamwe mu bayobozi bakuru b’igihugu barimo na Minisitiri w’intebe Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi bishimiye ko ikiyaga cya Karago cyasubiye ku murongo,kinasubirana amazi cyahoranye

Ikiyaga cya Karago,giherereye mu karere ka Nyabihu mu murenge wa Karago. Mu myaka ishize iki kiyaga kikaba cyarangijwe cyane n’isuri yatewe ahanini n’iyangirika ry’imisozi y’ahahoze ishyamba rya Gishwati. Iyi misozi y’ahahoze ishyamba rya Gishwati yatemweho ibiti ku buryo bukabije,isigara isa n’iyambaye ubusa ku buryo bworoheye cyane isuri kujya imanura ubutaka kuri iyo misozi,igaca inkangu ,zigahitana abantu,amatungo n’ibintu.

Iyo suri yamanukaga kuri iyo misozi ,niyo yirohaga mu mugezi wa Nyamukongoro wisuka mu kiyaga cya Karago bityo iyo suri ikiroha no mu kiyaga inyuze muri Nyamukongoro,ibyo bikaba byaratumye cyangirika ku buryo igice kimwe kingana na ha 10 z’ubuso bwa Karago cyari cyarakamye nk’uko Karambizi Benjamin ushinzwe ibidukikije mu karere ka Nyabihu yabidutangarije.

Imirimo myinshi yarakozwe mu rwego rwo kubungabunga ikiyaga cya Karago,umugezi wa Nyamukongoro n’imisozi yamanukagaho isuri yacyangizaga

Inzego zitandukanye zarahagurutse mu rwego rwo gukemura ikibazo cya Karago ndetse n’imisozi y’ahahoze ishyamba rya Gishwati n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro byari nyirabayazana w’iyangirika ryacyo,aha bateraga ibiti ku misozi y’ahahoze Gishwati hirindwa isuri harengerwa n’ibidukikije

Nk’uko Karambizi Benjamin yabidutangarije,imirimo myinshi yarakozwe mu rwego rwo kubungabunga ikiyaga cya Karago nk’umutungo kamere, hanakemurwa ahanini nyirabayanaza y’iki kibazo.

Bimwe mu by’ibanze byakozwe n’inzego z’akarere ndetse n’iz’igihugu mu kubungabunga ikiyaga cya karago,hakaba harimo kurwanya isuri no gutera ibiti. Hakaba hararwanijwe isuri ku misozi ya Rubare na Cyamabuye yo mu murenge wa Karago iterwaho ibiti. Iyi misozi ikaba yarateweho ibiti kuri ha 55, hanacukurwa imiringoti kuri iyo misozi yavagaho isuri nyinshi. Ikindi kandi ngo hakaba hazabungabungwa zigera kuri 800 ku misozi ikunze kumanukaho isuri yangiza ikiyaga kugira ngo amazi yacyo azase neza.

Habungabunzwe kandi inkengero z’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro wiroha mu kiyaga cya Karago hakaba harasinzwe 10m ku nkengero zawo ku burebure bwa km 8, uhereye aho Nyamukongoro itandukanye ku isoko,ukageza ahagana aho yisukira mu kiyaga cya Karago . Iki gikorwa kikaba cyarakozwe ku nkunga y’ikigo cy’igihugu gishinzwe kwita ku bidukikije REMA.

Ku nkunga ya Minisiteri y’umutungo kamere MINIRENA  hakaba harubatswe urugomero rutangira amazi ya Karago yavagamo akangiriza abaturage. Aha igikorwa cyari kigikorwa

Mu rwego rwo kubungabunga ikiyaga cya Karago ku buryo burambye,Minisiteri y’umutungo kamere yubatse urugomero “barrage” yo gutangira amazi yasohokaga mu kiyaga cya Karago akangiza. Ubusanzwe Karago ikaba yari ifite metero zigera kuri 2 z’ubujyakuzimu, MINIRENA ikaba yarubatse urugomero rugera kuri m 4 bikaba byarongereye karago uburebure aho yageze ku bujyakuzimu bugera  kuri m 6.

Kubera imirimo itandukanye yakozwe,ikiyaga cya Karago cyasubiranye amazi cyahoranye ariko hari ibindi bigomba gukorwa

Ikiyaga cya karago cyasubiranye amazi cyahoranye kubera byinshi byakozwe ariko hari n’ibindi bibazo bigihari

Kubera imirimo itandukanye yakozwe ku kiyaga cya Karago,ubu iki kiyaga cyasubiranye amazi cyahoranye ku buryo bushimishije. Ibi bikaba byarashimishije Minisitiri w’intebe Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi ,ubwo yagisuraga kuri uyu wa 14/09/2012.  Yasabye ko cyarushaho kubungwabungwa no kwitabwaho, ubundi kikabyazwa umusaruro nko kugiteramo amafi n’ibindi.

Nyamara kandi kubera iki kiyaga cyuzuye kikibasira n’amazu y’ikigo cya Gisirikare cya Mukamira,Minisitiri w’intebe yasabye Minisiteri bireba kuzabiganiraho zigakemura iki kibazo ku buryo hazashakishwa uburyo bwo gukemura iki kibazo cy’amazu yangijwe n’iki kiyaga.

Iki kiyaga kandi kiracyarimo ibyatsi bitandukanye byacyangiza,bisabwa ko hazakorwa ibishoboka byose ngo bikumirwe ndetse kinagirirwe isuku. Ibyo bizatuma ubwo cyasubiranye amazi cyahoranye kitarakama kizanasubirana  isura nziza y’amazi meza cyahoranye.

Inka za bamwe mu baturage bo mu murenge wa Karago na Mukamira ,zafashwe zangiza ibidukikije,ziragiwe ku nkengero z’ikiyaga cya Karago n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro none bagomba gutanga amande

Inka 16 zituruka mu mirenge ya Karago na Mukamira nizo zafashwe ziragiwe ku nkengero z’ikiyaga cya Karago n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro wiroha muri icyo kiyaga kuri uyu wa 20/08/2012. Izi nka zikaba zarafashwe nyuma y’aho ubuyobozi bwari bumaze igihe bugira inama abaturage boroye ku bijyanye no kororera amatungo mu biraro ndetse no kwirinda kuyaragira mu gasozi mu rwego rwo kurengera ibidukikije. Ibi kandi bikongerwaho ko inka zigomba kororerwa mu biraro n’ahandi habugenewe zitajererejwe ku gasozi.

Nk’uko umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Mukamira Kanamugire Noël yabidutangarije,kuwa gatatu taliki ya 15/08/2012,ubuyobozi bwari bwakoranye inama n’abaturage babihanangiriza kutaragira amatungo yabo hanze,ndetse by’umwihariko banabakangurira kubungabunga ikiyaga cya Karago n’ inkengero z’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro wisuka muri icyo kiyaga.

Abaturage banibukijwe kandi uburyo harimo gukorwa ibishoboka byose,bigatwara amafaranga menshi ngo ikiyaga cya karago gisubirane isura cyahoranye nyuma yo kwangizwa n’isuri; ndetse banagirwa inama yo kwirinda icyacyangiza cyose dore ko ngo hari abaragiraga inka hafi y’ikiyaga cya Karago n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro wisuka muri icyo kiyaga. Kanamugire yongeraho ko hari hashize ibyumweru 3,hashyizweho amatangazo aburira kwirinda kuragira amatungo yabo ku gasozi no kubungabunga ibidukikije by’umwihariko ikigaga cya Karago n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro.

Gusa nyuma y’ibyo byose,izi nama bagiriwe hari abatarazubahirije,ari nayo mpamvu kuri uyu wa 20/08/2012 inka zigera kuri 16 zafashwe ziragiwe aho ku nkengero z’ikiyaga cya Karago n’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro. Nyuma yo gufatwa ku bufatanye n’inzego z’umutekano,zikaba zarazanywe ku karere ka Nyabihu,aho ba nyirazo nyuma yo kurenga ku mabwiriza yashyizweho bagomba gutanga amande mbere y’uko bongera kujyana inka zabo.

Inama njyanama y’akarere ka Nyabihu ikaba yaremeje ko hazajya hatangwa amande angana n’amafaranga ibihumbi 50 ku nka imwe,igihe ifashwe yangiza ibidukikije ,nk’imigezi,amashyamba,ibiyaga.  Akaba ari nayo ufite inka yafashwe yangiza ikiyaga cya Karago n’inkengero z’umugezi wa Nyamukongoro agomba gutanga.

Ibyo kandi abaturage,ba nyir’inka zafashwe bakaba babisubiriwemo n’umuyobozi w’akarere ka Nyabihu Twahirwa Abdoulatif,ubwo bari ku karere mu gitondo cyo kuri uyu wa 21/08/2012,baje kureba inka zabo. Twahirwa akaba yongeye kugaruka ku bikorwa birimo gukorwa hirya no hino mu karere ka Nyabihu mu rwego rwo kurwanya isuri no kurengera ibidukikije kandi bitwara amafaranga menshi. Akaba yabahaye ingero nyinshi ku birimo gukorwa muri Gishwati,kuri Karago n’ahandi. Yongeye kubasaba kurushaho kwita ku bidukikije no kurwanya isuri kuko ingaruka zabyo baziyiziye. Basabwe kandi kugira umuco wo kororera mu biraro nk’uko bahora babisabwa aho kugira ngo inka zabo zijye zifatwa bacibwe amande.

Because of much rainfall that has been in western province, water level in Lake Kivu has increased by 20 centimetres, according to reports. 

This is evidenced at how the sand at Golf hotel where people walk and play from is covered by water.

People could sit on concrete benches built in the sand near the water and have drinks but the benches are covered with the water.

Apart from people who come to swim, people wearing shoes stand in a distance because water covered sand where they could walk from.

Golf hotel beach side

However, it is very easy for swimming starters since water on the sand is very shallow at Golf Hotel.

When we talked to the people that had come to swim, they confirmed to have seen this for the first time but say they enjoy swimming in shallow waters especially for the beginners.

Rwabisemanyi should not be a place for livestock farming only, but it should become a tourist attraction due to its beauty, residents have learnt.

Rwabisemanyi is located in Kigembe sector of Gisagara district and it is made of fish ponds, medium sunshine, amazing wind due to the small trees that surround it and many hills that are beautiful to look at.

Alphonse Mukiza, a resident in Rwabisemanyi told the reporter that if an interesting activity is put in this place, it can attract people to this area leading to the development of the sector.

“Visiting this place is beautiful to the eyes, but having a place to take a soda from would be wonderful,” suggests Mukiza

Gregoire Dusabemungu, in charge of livestock farming in Rwabisemanyi points out that there is a plan to start a market but chickens and fish are not yet mature for market.

He says that they plan to start a modern bar where people can relax from and enjoy smoked fish.

Rwabisemanyi fish ponds were dug between 1952 and 1958 and the fact that ponds are in a valley like location makes it favourable for the good yields of fish.

Abaturiye agace ka Rwabisemanyi ahari ibyuzi byororerwamo amafi baratangaza ko babona hadakwiye kuba hororerwa gusa kubera uburanga hafite, bo bakaba basanga hakwiye no kuba ahatembererwa ndetse byaba na byiza hashyizwe ibindi bikorwa byakurura abantu.

Rwabisemanyi ni agace karimo ibyuzi by’amafi gaherereye mu murenge wa Kigembe mu karere ka Gisagara. Ni agace gakunze kuvamo izuba riringaniye ubunai kagahora karimo umuyaga kubera ibiti n’udushyamba duto tuhakikije. Hakkikijwe kandi n’udusozi abantu baho bavuga ko tubanezeza kutwitegereza.

Ibyo rero bikaba  ari byo bituma abahatuye bavuga ko hakwiye kumenyekana birenzeho, hakajya hatembererwa abantu bakareba ibyiza bitatse u Rwanda ko ntaho bitari. Bavugaa kandi ko hagize nk’igikorwa kihakorerwa cyatuma hazajya hagendwa cyane byatuma hamenyekana maze bikanateza imbere uyu murenge muri rusange.

MUKIZA Alphonse utuye muri uyu murenge avuga ko haramutse hashyizwe nk’isoko ryazajya rigurishirizwamo amatungo ahororerwa byakurura abantu maze hakanubakwa n’akabari keza maze abantu bakajya bahatemberera ndetse bakaniyakirira muri ako kabari.

Yagize ati “Kuhatemberera byonyine biryoheye amaso ariko mbaye mpicaye hari n’icyo ndi gufata byarushaho kuba byiza”

DUSABEMUNGU Gregoire ushinzwe station y’ubworozi muri Rwabisemanyi aratangaza ko nabo igitekerezo cyo kugira icyo bahakorera bagifite, gusa ubu ngo nta matungo ageze igihe cyo kugurishwa ahari, inkoko ziracyari nto n’amafi n’uko ariko barateganya kuhubaka akabari maze bakajya bahakirira abantu ndetse n’amafi amaze gukura bakajya bokereza abantu.

Ku bijyanye n’isoko byo ngo ntagitekerezo barabigiraho kuko ubwaho hitaruyeho umugi gato, bakaba rero babona byaba imbogamizi ku bucuruzi bibzye ko abantu bava iyo mu mujyi wa Huye bakaza kuhashaka amafi cyangwa andi matungo kuko nyuma y’inkoko bazahazana n’inkwavu. Kuba atari hafi cyane y’umujyi ariko ngo ntacyo byabangamira cyane ku kabazi kuko ahubwo byakurura abantu bakajya bahatemberera.

Ibyuzi bya Rwabisemanyi byacukuwe ahantu hasa no mu kibaya ariyo mpamvu hahora hari amafu, bicukurwa hagati mu myaka ya 1952-1958.

Photo: Kivu view from Golf Hotel

Kivu is a lake with crystal clean water that reflects the color of a cloudless blue sky especially in the sunny season, (best for swimmers); that you will with no doubt acknowledge its welcoming and natural beauty.

The lake is known to have abundant natural methane gas and that’s not all: Kivu is home to millions of Limnothrissa miodon fish locally known as Isambaza which are liked by locals and non-locals. Kivu waters are also good for swimmers.

Photo: Swimming side at Golf Hotel

Although many people like to swim in Kivu especially Kigali escapers, the lake does have some places where it’s not safe to swim. It has few sandy beaches and most of its shores are rocky and slippery. It’s highly recommended to swim on a sandy beach especially for beginners. Rocky beaches are dangerous if you enter Kivu for the first time. It’s also not advisable to dive close to the shores as you may hit the rocks and injure your head or arms.

According to local swimmers, most fatal accidents in Kivu are said to have been caused by careless dives on rocky shores. Abundant methane gas in Lake Kivu may also cause fatal accidents. So you’d better follow instructions not to swim in prohibited areas.

Karongi is one of the districts making up the Western Province. It is located on the shores of Lake Kivu; but safe swimming sides are not that many. One of the best swimming places was at former Guest House Hotel (closed down in 2006). The hotel had a beautiful beach for both swimming and water skiing (surfing).

At present, the best swimming side is found at Eden Rock Golf Hotel (a 5 minute ride on motorbike from Kibuye town). Beginners find it easy for a safe swim but professional ones can swim from one shore to another (700 meters) between Gold Hotel and Bethany Guesthouse.

With an increasing number of tourists and township escapers heading down to Kivu side, local authorities in Karongi have begun to create artificial sand beaches-where applicable- to make the district the most attractive place. You can also find life jackets sold in the central town at Peace House hotel (with Fina Bank and MTN on your left, and Bank of Kigali on your right as you enter the town.)

Photo: A front corridor of the room by the lakeside

Bethany Guesthouse sits on a hill that beautifully stretches down to the lake. The guesthouse is located 3.3 km. As you won’t easily find a cab in the Town of Kibuye, you’ll definitely need to take a motorbike that will charge you Rwf 500 (less than US$ 1) from where the bus will drop you off. The road is actually a loop and makes a nice, long walk if you want to go exploring.

It’s a good idea to take your motor driver’s phone number so you can come and go as you please. The road to guesthouse is a one-way street from the town and you won’t find a motor just by heading out to the street.

What really make this place special are the rooms right down by the lake. You’ll have a porch area with a couple of chairs that looks right out onto the lake where you’ll enjoy fresh air from the lake and listen to beautiful sounds made by gentle waves against the rocks on the shores. It’s actually a gorgeous spot to relax. The rooms by the lake cost Rwf 35,000 for a double (the prices are per room, not per person), doubles without the lake view cost Rwf 25,000 and twins are Rwf 15,000.

The rooms at Bethany Guesthouse are pretty simple but comfortable enough to make you enjoy your stay. They have mosquito nets and some have TVs. The restaurant is right down on the water and makes a nice place to enjoy a meal.

You can take a canoe from the guesthouse out to some of the islands all around. A round trip will cost you between 8,000 to 10,000 (US$ 16) but prices are negotiable and are for the whole boat, so cram as many people on it as you can if you want to share the costs. It’s common just to ask other guests at the hotel to see if they’re interested in a boat rental.

Their number is 0252 568 235 and bookings would be recommended if you want a good room, especially on weekends as this place is a popular Kigali escape.