{"id":1311740,"date":"2026-10-23T19:01:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1311740"},"modified":"2026-10-23T19:01:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T19:01:26","slug":"rubavu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/africa\/rwanda\/rubavu\/","title":{"rendered":"Rubavu"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":1315016,"parent":1310594,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title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city guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Rubavu Travel Guide","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Rubavu, still often called Gisenyi, is Rwanda's lakeside escape: a palm-lined promenade, sandy beaches on Lake Kivu, sunset boat trips with singing fishermen and the start of the Congo Nile Trail. It's the perfect place to rest after gorilla trekking, two or three nights at least.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1315016","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"medium","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Where to stay | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #budget","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"About 3\u00bd hours | By bus from Kigali\r\n200 km+ | Congo Nile Trail along the lake\r\nJun\u2013Sep | Driest months, with Dec\u2013Feb","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"Rubavu at a glance","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Rubavu sits on the northern shore of Lake Kivu in western Rwanda, about 3\u00bd hours from Kigali and 1\u00bd hours from Musanze. Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes, long, deep and surrounded by steep green hills, and Rubavu is its main resort town.\r\n\r\nThe town has two sides. The lakefront is broad and relaxed, with a promenade under palm trees, public beaches, colonial-era villas, hotels and bars. Up the hill, the town centre has the market, banks and bus station, and is busy and local.\r\n\r\nRubavu is right on the border with the DRC. The city of Goma begins just across the frontier, and you can see it from the beach. That proximity is the one thing to think about before you come: the UK doesn't advise against travel to Rubavu, but the US advises against all travel within 10 km of the DRC border, which includes the town. Read the safety section and check the latest advice.\r\n\r\nMost visitors come to rest. Swim in the lake, which is widely considered free of bilharzia, watch the sunset from the beach, take a boat to the islands, visit the hot springs and coffee farms, and eat grilled tilapia and sambaza by the water.\r\n\r\nRubavu is also the northern start of the Congo Nile Trail, which follows the lake's shore south for more than 200 km to Karongi and Rusizi, through hills, villages and coffee and tea plantations. Walking, cycling or kayaking part of it is one of the best things to do in Rwanda.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Getting there | Bus from Kigali, about 3\u00bd hours, 3,500\u20134,000 RWF; 1\u00bd hours from Musanze\r\nGetting around | Walk the lakefront; motos for the rest\r\nTransport app | Limited; use motos\r\nTap water | Not safe; drink bottled water\r\nTipping | Tip boat crews and trail guides\r\nEmergency numbers | 112; ambulance 912\r\nLanguage | Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili\r\nHow long to stay | Two to three nights\r\nBest area to stay | The lakefront\r\nBorder | Right next to the DRC: check advice and don't cross","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to stay in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Stay on the lakefront for the beaches, bars and sunsets, or up in the town centre for cheaper rooms and transport. Hotels and guesthouses south of town towards the hot springs are quieter.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"Lakefront | Beach and sunsets | Palm-lined promenade with beaches, bars, hotels and colonial villas. | -1.7 | 29.26 |  | \nTown centre | Budget stays and transport | Hilltop town with the market, banks, bus station and cheap guesthouses. | -1.69 | 29.26 |  | \nSouth towards Nyamyumba | Quiet stays | Lakeshore south of town towards the hot springs and brewery, with quieter hotels. | -1.73 | 29.29 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Beaches, boats and the Congo Nile Trail","hw_hub_city_do_body":"The lakefront is the heart of Rubavu. Walk the promenade under the palms, swim from the public beach, and settle in at a lakeside bar for the sunset. Lake Kivu is widely said to be free of bilharzia and crocodiles, which makes it one of the few big African lakes where people swim happily.\r\n\r\nTake a boat trip on the lake. Boats visit nearby islands, fishing villages and coffee farms, and at dusk you can watch the fishermen set out in their three-hulled boats, singing as they paddle to keep in rhythm.\r\n\r\nAbout 10 km south of town, at Nyamyumba, hot springs bubble into the lake, and locals use them for bathing and healing. Nearby, the Bralirwa brewery produces Primus, the country's most famous beer.\r\n\r\nThe Congo Nile Trail starts in Rubavu and runs south along the shore through some of the most beautiful countryside in Rwanda. You can walk it over several days, cycle it, or kayak sections with a guide. Even a day's hike or bike ride out of town gives you views over the lake, terraced hills and coffee washing stations.\r\n\r\nCoffee tours on the hillsides around the lake show the whole process, from picking cherries to roasting, and finish with a cup.\r\n\r\nRubavu's market, up in the town centre, is lively and colourful, and a good place to buy fruit and fabric.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Lakefront beach | Swimming in Lake Kivu\r\nBoat trips | Islands, fishing villages and coffee farms\r\nSinging fishermen | Boats head out at dusk\r\nNyamyumba hot springs | About 10 km south\r\nCongo Nile Trail | Walk, cycle or kayak south\r\nCoffee tours | Farms and washing stations","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_free_title":"Rubavu for free (or nearly)","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Rubavu is perfect for cheap, slow days. The public beach and lakeside promenade are free, and swimming in Lake Kivu costs nothing.\r\n\r\nWatch the sunset from the beach: the light over the lake and the hills of the DRC is spectacular, and the fishing boats head out as the sun goes down.\r\n\r\nWalk up into the town centre and explore the market.\r\n\r\nWalk south along the lakeshore towards the hot springs at Nyamyumba, or the first stretch of the Congo Nile Trail, for free views over the lake and countryside.\r\n\r\nJoin locals on the beach at weekends, when families picnic, play football and swim.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Public beach | Free swimming\r\nSunset | Over the lake and hills\r\nMarket | In the town centre\r\nLakeshore walk | South towards the hot springs\r\nWeekend beach life | Families and football\r\nFishing boats | Head out at dusk","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Tilapia, sambaza and lakeside brochettes","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Rubavu's food is all about the lake. Grilled tilapia, served whole with chips or plantain and pili-pili chilli oil, is the classic lakeside meal. Sambaza, tiny fish fried crisp and eaten whole, are the local snack, often with a cold beer.\r\n\r\nLocal restaurants in the town centre serve m\u00e9lange buffets at lunchtime, with beans, rice, matoke and stews, for a few euros. Brochettes of goat and beef are grilled at bars in the evening.\r\n\r\nLakeside hotels and restaurants serve international food at higher prices, around \u20ac6 to \u20ac15 for a main.\r\n\r\nPrimus is brewed nearby, so try it here. Coffee from the hills around the lake is excellent.\r\n\r\nDrink bottled water.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Grilled tilapia | With chips or plantain\r\nSambaza | Tiny fried lake fish\r\nM\u00e9lange | Lunch buffet for a few euros\r\nBrochettes | At bars in the evening\r\nLakeside dinner | About \u20ac6\u201312\r\nPrimus | Brewed nearby","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Rubavu","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Sunset drinks and weekend beach parties","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Rubavu's nightlife starts at sunset on the lakefront, where bars and hotel terraces fill up with locals and visitors watching the light change over the water.\r\n\r\nAt weekends, the beach gets livelier, with music and occasional parties, and some lakeside bars stay open late.\r\n\r\nThe town centre has local bars where you can drink Primus and eat brochettes.\r\n\r\nRubavu is close to the DRC border, so take a moto or car back to your accommodation rather than walking along the dark lakefront late at night, and don't stray towards the border.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Sunset bars | Lakefront terraces\r\nWeekend beach | Music and parties\r\nTown bars | Primus and brochettes\r\nGetting home | Moto or car, not the dark lakefront\r\nSambaza and beer | The classic lakeside snack","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting to and around Rubavu","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Rubavu is about 3\u00bd hours from Kigali by road, via Musanze. Minibuses from Kigali's Nyabugogo terminal cost about 3,500 to 4,000 RWF. From Musanze, the trip takes about 1\u00bd hours.\r\n\r\nIn town, motos are the easiest way around and cost a few hundred francs for short trips. Wear the helmet. The lakefront is easy to walk.\r\n\r\nFor the Congo Nile Trail, you can walk, cycle with a rented bike or join a guided trip. Boats also run south along the lake towards Karongi; ask locally about schedules, and wear a life jacket.\r\n\r\nRubavu is next to the Goma border crossing into the DRC. Do not cross: the UK, US and Australian governments advise against all travel to the DRC, and the border can close without warning.\r\n\r\nFrom Rubavu, buses also run south along the lake to Karongi, and back to Kigali.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Kigali | About 3\u00bd hours, 3,500\u20134,000 RWF\r\nFrom Musanze | About 1\u00bd hours\r\nMotos | A few hundred francs in town\r\nBoats | South towards Karongi; wear a life jacket\r\nDRC border | Don't cross","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Rubavu","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Rubavu costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Rubavu is good value. Hostelworld doesn't list any properties here yet, but guesthouses in the town centre are cheap, and lakeside hotels range from mid-range to expensive.\r\n\r\nFood is cheap: a m\u00e9lange lunch costs a few euros, sambaza and brochettes are cheap bar snacks, and a grilled tilapia dinner by the lake costs around \u20ac6 to \u20ac12.\r\n\r\nTransport is cheap: the bus from Kigali costs about \u20ac2 to \u20ac3, and moto rides a few hundred francs.\r\n\r\nBoat trips, guided Congo Nile Trail hikes, bike hire and coffee tours are the main extras.\r\n\r\nAt about 1,660 RWF to \u20ac1, a budget day comes to around \u20ac25 to \u20ac35. There are ATMs in the town centre.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Exchange rate | About 1,660 RWF to \u20ac1 (October 2026)\r\nBeds | Guesthouses cheap; no Hostelworld listings yet\r\nM\u00e9lange | A few euros\r\nTilapia dinner | About \u20ac6\u201312\r\nBus from Kigali | About \u20ac2\u20133\r\nATMs | In the town centre","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Rubavu","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Staying safe in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Rubavu itself is calm and most visitors have no problems, but its location needs thought. The town is right on the border with the DRC, where conflict continues, and Goma is just across the frontier.\r\n\r\nThe UK government doesn't advise against travel to Rubavu, but warns of possible fighting in the DRC, a military presence on both sides and border crossings that can close at short notice. The US, which rates Rwanda at Level 3, says not to travel within 10 km of the DRC border for any reason, which includes Rubavu. Check the latest UK, US and Australian advice before you go, and make sure your travel insurance covers you.\r\n\r\nDo not cross into the DRC, and don't wander towards the border areas.\r\n\r\nOn the lake, wear a life jacket on boats and swim only where others do. Take motos or cars at night rather than walking the dark lakefront.\r\n\r\nThere is an Ebola outbreak in the DRC, and Rwanda has health measures at the border. Follow any instructions from the authorities.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"DRC border | UK: no advice against; US: avoid within 10 km\r\nCrossing | Don't cross into the DRC\r\nEbola | Outbreak in the DRC; border health checks\r\nLake | Life jackets on boats\r\nAt night | Moto or car, not walking\r\nEmergencies | 112; ambulance 912","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Rubavu","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Day trips from Rubavu","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"From Rubavu you can walk or cycle the Congo Nile Trail, soak in the Nyamyumba hot springs, visit coffee farms and head back up to the volcanoes at Musanze.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Congo Nile Trail | From town | Walk, bike or kayak | Follow the lakeshore south through villages, coffee farms and hills. Do a day or a few days. |  | \nNyamyumba hot springs | About 20 minutes | Moto | Hot springs bubbling into the lake, used by locals for bathing. |  | \nCoffee farms | About 30 minutes | Moto or tour | See coffee picked, washed and roasted on the hills above the lake. |  | \nMusanze and the volcanoes | About 1\u00bd hours | Bus | Gorilla trekking, golden monkeys and volcano hikes. |  | 1315015\nKarongi | About 3 hours | Bus or boat | Quieter lakeside town halfway down Lake Kivu, with island boat trips. |  | 1315013","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Rubavu","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go to Rubavu","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Rubavu is mild all year, a little cooler than Kigali. June to September and December to February are the driest months and best for the beach and the trail; March to May and October to November bring heavy showers.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Highs are our estimates, based on Kigali's weather2travel figures; the lakeshore is a little cooler. Crowd levels are our rough guide.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 24 | 4 | Dry; good beach weather\r\nFebruary | 24 | 4 | Dry\r\nMarch | 24 | 2 | Rains begin\r\nApril | 23 | 1 | Wettest; mourning week\r\nMay | 23 | 2 | Rainy\r\nJune | 24 | 4 | Dry season\r\nJuly | 24 | 5 | Holidays; busy weekends\r\nAugust | 24 | 5 | Dry; peak season\r\nSeptember | 24 | 4 | Dry\r\nOctober | 24 | 3 | Short rains\r\nNovember | 23 | 2 | Wet\r\nDecember | 23 | 4 | Holiday visitors","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What's on in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Rubavu is busiest at weekends, holidays and in the dry seasons, when Kigali residents come to the beach.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Rwanda","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/africa\/rwanda\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Kwibuka | 7 April, then 100 days | Nationwide | Commemoration of the 1994 genocide, beginning with a week of mourning. |  | \nIndependence and Liberation days | 1 and 4 July | Nationwide | Public holidays; busy beach weekends. |  | \nUmuganda | Last Saturday of the month, 7\u201311am | Nationwide | Community work morning; most services close. |  | \nChristmas and New Year | Late December | Rubavu | Kigali residents head to the lake; book ahead. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"How much does Rubavu cost per day?","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Pick a style and a number of nights for a rough total, per person, in euros.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Estimates. With no Hostelworld properties in Rubavu, beds assume a guesthouse room; doing includes a boat trip or bike hire.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 15 | 7 | 3 | 4\r\nMiddle of the road | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10\r\nComfortable | 70 | 28 | 12 | 20","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay in Rubavu","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"Rubavu has guesthouses, lakeside hotels and a few backpacker-friendly places, but nothing on Hostelworld yet. The nearest Hostelworld hostels are in Musanze.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Rwanda","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/rwanda\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Rubavu FAQs","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"Prices and timetables change. Check before you travel.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Is Rubavu safe to visit? | Rubavu itself is calm, but it sits right on the DRC border. The UK doesn't advise against travel there, while the US says not to travel within 10 km of the DRC border. Check the latest advice and your insurance, and don't cross into the DRC.\r\nHow do I get from Kigali to Rubavu? | Minibuses from Nyabugogo take about 3\u00bd hours via Musanze and cost about 3,500 to 4,000 RWF.\r\nCan you swim in Lake Kivu? | Yes. Lake Kivu is widely considered free of bilharzia and crocodiles, and swimming from the beaches is popular. Swim where others do.\r\nWhat is the Congo Nile Trail? | A walking and cycling route of more than 200 km along the shore of Lake Kivu, from Rubavu south to Karongi and Rusizi, through villages and coffee and tea plantations. You can do a day or a multi-day trip.\r\nHow many days do you need in Rubavu? | Two or three nights for the beach, a boat trip and the hot springs. Add more to walk or cycle the Congo Nile Trail.\r\nAre there hostels in Rubavu? | Hostelworld doesn't list any yet, but there are cheap guesthouses in the town centre and hotels on the lakefront.\r\nCan I cross into the DRC from Rubavu? | You shouldn't. The UK, US and Australian governments advise against all travel to the DRC, and the border can close without warning.\r\nWhat is the best time to visit Rubavu? | June to September and December to February, the driest months, are best for the beach and the trail.\r\nWhat is Rubavu also called? | Rubavu is the district name, and the town is still widely known by its older name, Gisenyi. You will see both on buses and maps.\r\nIs there a beach in Rubavu? | Yes. The public beach along the lakefront promenade is sandy and popular at weekends, and several hotels have their own stretches of beach.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare Rubavu hostels: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find a hostel in Rwanda | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/africa\/rwanda\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No 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