Twin Lakes in Rwanda
Twin Lakes in Rwanda : Rwanda is ‘the land of a thousand hills’ in central Africa; it is one of the smallest countries on the African mainland. Rwanda, a densely settled little country, occupies a deferential plot of land bordered on two sides by rivers. What Rwanda lacks in breadth, though, it makes up for in natural beauty. The most notable tourist attractions are volcanoes, gorillas, the twin lakes, and the capital city. It’s a lush country rich in rolling hills, lakes, and parks. Coffee and tea plantations cover tubular landscapes, interspersed with vegetable crops such as bananas, paw-paws, avocados, oranges, and guavas. Recall, however, that Rwanda is so spectacular that a visit to this country alone is worth the visit. Everywhere you go, you will receive warm greetings with a charming “Muraho,” or “hello” in Kinyarwanda, and the locals will gather to shake your hands, always with a smile on their faces.
Two distinct volcanic craters, both around a mile across and nearly 200 feet deep, form the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. The sightseer first discovers them as the driver exits the motorway between Ruhengeri and Cyanika. Down below, the red earth can be seen through the undulating grass fringed with swampy, gallant papyrus. The lakes’ smooth green walls gradually penetrate the grass, revealing the two craters on the opposite shore. Each lake possesses unique characteristics: the steep hills surrounding Lake Ruhondo, the absence of level land, and the presence of a single river, Ikagage. The lake later runs into the river Kabirira, which has deep gorges on its way to the Akagera River.
The Tropic of Capricorn crosses the central part of Rwanda, an inland African country on a high plateau south of the equator. Its territorial extension is 26,338 km2. The country shares borders with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Kigali is the country’s capital city. The Rwandan government is planning and developing a strategy to take advantage of the country’s significant natural and cultural attractions in light of its tourist potential.
The country presents important opportunities for tourist development because of the richness and diversity of its wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, a mix of traditional and modern architecture, and a stable conservation system. It is thought that the expansion of this activity will allow the population to diversify their livelihoods, diminish the importance of agriculture, and create, directly and indirectly, a significant amount of jobs, which can contribute meaningfully to the increase in the GNP. The tourist activity strategy is focussing on the development of three main products: mountain gorilla observation, caldera lake observation, and the country’s rich traditions.
Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo manifest an endowment of nature and geology with an area of 28 km2, equivalent to 16,000 football pitches. The two lakes are located in the northern part of Rwanda and contribute to maintaining the landscape characterized by the spectacular Virunga volcanic mountain chain, which originates in Uganda through Parc National des Virungas, Zaire, and terminates in Luallynzori in the DRC. The vital beauty of Twin Lakes lies in the fact that the attractive outcrops of the major source of the continental plate separation have maintained such geological features for millions of years, enabling the formation of granite. Their beautiful structure gives the two lakes a mountainous appearance. Twin Lakes also have remarkable economic significance to the country. They attract tourists who not only enjoy the beauty, but also learn about the country’s historical and natural heritage. Many people depend on and make a living from the activities within Twin Lakes, the most common being fishing.
Twin Lakes lie in a cool, beautiful mosaic of land and water, making them excellent field trips and learning opportunities for biological, geological, earth, and environmental science studies. They generate employment for the indigenous population, who benefit directly from tourism revenues. The welcoming gates of Twin Lakes have augmented the impacts of the Lowanza Karimba Marble and Twin Lakes. The development of infrastructure and the enhancement of road networks from Kigali to Tulinze in the marshland area, as well as to the Gorilla Cadre area, have facilitated easy access to the tourism sector. This, in turn, has attracted numerous travellers to the Gorilla Trails and the King’s Palace of Nachyega, which are situated beneath sculptured volcanoes. Conversely, these induced infrastructures cater to the basic needs of the indigenous population, including the enhancement of health and education services, and the provision of clean and safe drinking water from Twin Lakes. It is also environmentally friendly, as it uses existing infrastructure at an affordable price.
Lake Burera offers exceptional photographic opportunities due to its magnificent landscapes, characterized by steep mountains that seem to grow from the waters and reflections from the settlements across the lakes, which decorate the water with vibrant, symmetrical designs. Due to the area’s volcanic soils, its steep terraced hillsides blanketed in banana plantations offer an incredible landscape for photography. The largest river, Sebeya, flows into Lake Burera, offering a mesmerizing scenic view at its drop point. There are a number of different islands that scatter within the lake, made accessible by local fishermen’s canoes if you are interested in visiting one for a local experience. Akabuga Island, an onion-shaped island on the lake, holds a legendary story of love and fortune that awaits retelling. Such rich heritage awaits those who come to explore this unique area, the Twin Lakes of Rwanda, where beauty and history unite.
