Napoleon Island on Lake Kivu
Napoleon Island is one of the most well-known and frequently visited islands on Lake Kivu. It is located outside Karongi one of the popular towns at the shores of lake Kivu. Napoleon Island is said to be the tallest island summiting at 100m thus providing spectacular views of the lake, the surrounding islands and the shoreline.
Lake Kivu is a pristine water body along the Rwanda-Congo border in the Albertine Rift. The lake is surrounded by vibrant green hills and its shore is surrounded by three towns such as Gisenyi, Kibuye, and Changugu in Rwanda and Bukavu. Sake, Kalehe, Kabare, and Goma in Congo. The lake has several islands including Idjwi Island, Monkey Island, Peace Island, Amizero Island, Iwawa Island, and many others. These towns together with the islands on the lake offer the best pleasant and relaxation trips thus making the lake one of the places that should not be missed while on a Rwandan safari.
Although Nyamunini Island is its true name, you can see where Napoleon Island gets its name as soon as you get close to it from a distance. Napoleon Island got its name from the historical hats that were commonly worn in the eighteenth century as part of the army uniforms and Napoleon the then emperor was always seen wearing this type of hat thus the name of the island.
A conservation area has been established on Napoleon Island, so the island is without any construction, amenities, development, or human intervention. When visiting the island, you must bring your food and beverages and ensure that no rubbish is left there.
Unlike other islands on Lake Kivu are covered with vegetation that is commonly used for agricultural purposes, Napoleon Island has a steep rocky side that cannot favor community farming practices and a dense forest cover that is home to several interesting wildlife species like very tall trees where different birds find refuge. Birds often seen in the area include fish eagles, palm nut vultures, kingfishers, and hamerkop.
The island is a renowned home for fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) that often live in colonies. As you approach the shores of the island, you will notice hundreds of dark-winged creatures leaping off every branch into the air making loud screeching noises. Such disturbance doesn’t last long, as you patiently wait, the bats will settle back to their resting places, and you will manage to take good photos.
The straw-red colored fruit bats are found in different parts of Africa. These bats always move after sunset to look for food and spend the day resting in their large colonies. They often feed on juicy fruits, flowers, buds, and young plant leaves.
On your visit to Napoleon Island expect to see some snakes like the forest cobras that enjoy feasting on these bats. The snakes are always calm and will avoid human contact, so if you see one, be careful, don’t scare, touch, kill, or interfere with their movements.
Napoleon Island provides an interesting and adventurous hike. The popular hiking trail on the island runs from one side of the island to the other and at the summit of the island, which is 100 meters over the lake level, you will have the best views of Lake Kivu and the surrounding islands. The trail was formed by different hikers who have visited the island for over many years. As you hike, do not expect to find built stairs but a path along the rocky terrain of the island. The island is steep but with responsible physical fitness, you can hike to the top within one and a half hours from one side to the other.
How to get to Napoleon Island
Visiting Napoleon Island is a remarkable moment that offers nature lovers an opportunity to explore the virgin landscapes of the scenic volcanic island where they get to encounter with the great wonders of Rwanda’s natural wilderness.
A trip to the island begins with a boat ride from one of the towns on the shores of Lake Kivu such as Kibuye, Gisenyi, and Changugu. The ride takes 1-2 hours with amazing views of the lake and the breathtaking shoreline.
As you embark on your adventure to the island, endeavor to come along with good hiking boots and comfortable clothing, sunscreen, binoculars, cameras, and enough food and water to keep you energetic as exploring the island involves hiking and traversing through dense vegetation. Make sure you are accompanied by a local guide for safety and a detailed explanation of the island.
By the end of your adventure, you will realize that Napoleon Island is one of Rwanda’s virgin hidden gems.
