Lake Kivu sits on the borders of Rwanda and the DRC, and is part of the Great Rift Valley that we saw in Kenya.

It’s also one of Africa’s Great Lakes being 97 km long and 48 km wide.

The lake sits at just under 1,500 meters above sea level and was formed from volcanic activity.

The lake’s waters contain high concentrations of dissolved methane and carbon dioxide, a result of volcanic activity but it is safe to swim in.

It’s a most beautiful place and a wonderful spot to just soak up the views and relax.

However, soon enough my plans for further relaxation were put on hold as we set off on a boat trip to hike to the top of Napoleon island.

Rwanda is known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’ and they are on show here.

Napoleon island is so named given it’s resemblance to his hat!

It’s a shortish trek along a gravelly path to the top where there are some great views across the lake.

Below my wife celebrates another trek accomplished.

The island also has a large colony of fruit bats at the lower tree levels.

You can hear them fussing from a distance. When closer, you can watch them clambering through the tree branches for the best spot to sleep before the evening’s hunt begins.

A ‘camp’ of fruit bats (says Google)!

That’s me below, looking a tad smug with an Arsenal cap on my shoulder after some good wins during the week, a relatively rare moment, so captured for prosperity!

We had hired a car and driven from Kigali to get to Lake Kivu and back. The roads here are very good and when not, they are working on laying new tarmac.

It’s only a 150 km drive but takes around 4 hours given speed limits here of 60 kph and road works.

The final 10 km was hairy, best opt for a 4WD car next time!

The landscape views are fabulous, lots of hills, many with terraces and nearly every square metre planted with something.

You can see Lake Kivu from miles away.

Along the roadside you see so many adults and young kids carrying water, firewood and food.

We saw so many women by the roadside carrying heavy loads on their heads, with perfect posture and balance.

We should have stayed longer in this area, there is so much more to see, with a 4WD vehicle anyway!

The Congo-Nile trail is also nearby.

However, our 3 days had passed in a flash and we headed back to Kigali.