Best Rwanda Fishing Tours
Rwanda is a landlocked country having a total area of 26,338 square kilometers, 1390 of which are covered by water. Fishing in Rwanda isn’t very advanced because the country hasn’t traditionally relied much on it. Most commercial fishing is done in Lake Shakani which is found in Akagera national park, Lake Kivu, Lake Mugesera and Lake Muhazi. There are also other rivers and lakes that locals and tourist fish in, which we’ll talk about alter. Still, aquaculture, or fishing farming, makes up 45% of the fish produced in Rwanda. To meet the demand for fish among Rwandan, the country imports from its neighbours Tanzania and Uganda. Most of the imported fish are then sent on to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The main ways people fish in Rwanda include hooking, gill netting, the lampara method, spearing or shooting, scoop net and cast net. The type of method depends on the kind of fish they are after. The fish species found in Rwanda include Sambaza, Amphilius, Sardines, Ndugu, Nile Tilapia, Varicorthinus, Clarias, Syprinus, Astatorechromis, Barbus, Cyprinus, Gnathonemus, Marcusenius, Mormyrus, Limnothrissa, Halplochromis, and Synodontis among others. The fishing is mostly done by local communities using wooden canoes.
The fishing industry is overseen by Rwanda Ministry of Animal Resources and Agriculture, working through cooperatives and local authorities. Like most countries in Africa, Rwanda faces problems like overfishing and catching young fish that aren’t ready to produce. The government has strict policies, and fines to try to stop these issues. Despite this, there still other challenges. For example, many Rwandans don’t eat fish regularly, and the fishing methods are still quite basic and need improvement. Pollution in some lakes and rivers is also a serious concern. Additionally, different government sectors don’t always work together well to help grow the industry. Lastly, there isn’t enough government funding, and private investors are hesitant to put money into fishing, which limits growth.
Top place for Fishing Safaris in Rwanda
Fishing in Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park is one of Rwanda’s most popular sites for sport fishing. The park’s name come from the Akagera River, which flows into Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani. Lake Shakani located in the northeastern part of Akagera national park, is a popular place for sportfishing in Rwanda. While on your fishing safaris here, you may also spot hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun, making the experience truly wild and memorable. The activity is done on a catch and release basis but at the end of the activity, the participants are rewarded with fish to take back home. If you want to fish on Lake Ihema, you’ll need to bring your own hooks, and the common fish caught there is tilapia.
During the fishing activity in Akagera national park, you can also go on game drives to see animals such as leopards, lions, buffaloes, hyenas, topis, waterbucks, duikers, roan antelopes, bushbucks, zebras, giraffes among others. They can also do birding where they can spot crested barbet, amur falcon, booted eagle, brown chested lapwing, grasshopper buzzard, cabanis’s bunting, papyrus gonolek, shoebill among others. You can also take boat cruises on Lake Ihema, where you might see crocodiles, hippos, and many other animals along the lake’s shores. You can combine your fishing trip with other exciting adventures in the park.
Fishing in Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is another great spot for sport fishing in Rwanda, situated right on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Lake Kivu is the largest freshwater lake in Rwanda and the sixth in Africa. The lake is free from bilharzia and has no crocodiles or hippos. Fishing on Lake Kivu is done using nets and the fish caught is removed by the local fishermen who weigh it and sell to the market. Common fish caught during sport fishing include Sambaza, Sardnes, and Ndugu. These are small species which are often caught in nets and removed by hand by the local fishermen. If you’re planning to embark on your fishing safari here, you need to come with your own equipment.
During your fishing safari, you can enjoy other activities at the lake, like swimming in the cool waters of Kivu. The beaches are beautiful, with amazing scenery and soft sand. You might also want to explore the nearby islands by canoe or speedboat. Nyamirudi Island is a popular spot to visit, it’s close to Gisenyi and famous for coffee production. While there, you can see how coffee is processed from start to finish. The island offers stunning views of the surrounding islands and lakes. Travelers can do windsurfing, kayaking, speed boat riding, and biking along the Congo Nile Trail, which runs through Lake Kivu. It’s a great way to see the scenery while cycling or biking along the trail.
Fishing on Lake Burera and Ruhondo
Lake Burera and Ruhondo, often called twin lakes, are another fishing destination in Rwandan lakes. These lakes are on the southern slopes of Mt Muhabura in Rwanda’s Northern Province, at about 1862 meters above sea level. The lakes strategically popular for hosting guests looking for a popular mountain gorilla trekking experience, and the Ugandan border, which is the Cyanika border. The lakes stretch for 12 kilometers in length and 18 kilometers in width, with the deepest parts reaching 173 meters. These two small lakes are surrounded by tiny islands. Fishing on the lake is done using canoe boats, which are locally made from a single piece of wood, and the fish are trapped using local fishing hooks and nets. Fishing at the twin lakes may be done with island fishermen who are familiar with the lakes and can provide you with more precise information. Fishing here is mostly done using traditional, local methods, which makes the experience even more interesting.
Fishing in Lake Muhazi
Fishing in Rwanda’s lakes is also available at Lake Muhazi, which is on the way to Akagera National Park in the eastern part of the country. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Kigali. Many visitors find fishing at Lake Muhazi to be an enjoyable activity, especially in the peaceful and scenic surroundings. To fish here, you need to bring your own fishing gear. The lake is home to fish like marbled lungfish, Nile tilapia, and blue spotted tilapia. After catching your fish, you can cook it at your resort and enjoy a tasty meal made from your own catch.
What to pack for Fishing Safaris in Rwanda?
When going on a fishing safari in Rwanda, it’s important to pack the right gear to stay comfortable and safe. The fishing spots in Rwanda have a lot of insects, so what you wear matters a lot because dome can bite and even spread illnesses. Be sure to bring insect repellents, a hat, a rain jacket, long-sleeved light clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars, energy-giving snacks, and enough drinking water.
What is the best time to go for Fishing Safaris in Rwanda?
The best time to goon a Fishing Safari in Rwanda is during the dry season, which runs from December to February and June to September. During these times, there’s little or no rain, the water levels are low, the sky is clear and there is less wind to affect the moving boats.
You can still fish in Rwanda during the rainy seasons, from of March to May and October to November. However, these months are characterized by too much rainfall. This leaves the water levels high affecting the movement of the boats, the wind is always too much. The skies are often cloudy, which can make it harder to see and enjoy the fishing experience.
