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The Lakeside Town of Gisenyi

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After a full day of mountain gorilla trekking and photographing the Iby'lwacu Cultural Village, we drove to the city of Gisenyi, on the northern shores of Lake Kivu.  The lake, Africa's sixth largest, forms Rwanda's natural western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.  We spent two nights at the wonderful Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, situated behind a small section of sandy beach.

One of only a handful of sandy beaches on Lake Kivu
One of only a handful of sandy beaches on Lake Kivu
Homes mix amongst the banana trees on the hills of Gisenyi.
Homes mix amongst the banana trees on the hills of Gisenyi.
A man carries sheet metal on his head.
A man carries sheet metal on his head.
A guy atop a well helps others collect water.
A guy atop a well helps others collect water.
Hand-painted signs are common throughout Africa.
Hand-painted signs are common throughout Africa.
Slap an Obama tag on just about anything and we were told it'd sell well in the market.
Slap an Obama tag on just about anything and we were told it'd sell well in the market.
Inside a women's collective.
Inside a women's collective.
Bralirwa, the only brewery in Rwanda, manufactures local beers including Primus and Mutzig, plus a variety of Coca-Cola products.
Bralirwa, the only brewery in Rwanda, manufactures local beers including Primus and Mutzig, plus a variety of Coca-Cola products.
A child reaches for ropes hanging from a traditional fishing boat.
A child reaches for ropes hanging from a traditional fishing boat.
Photoshoot with shool kids (from left): Ben, Peter, Stefanie, Amanda, and Krista
Photoshoot with school kids (from left): Ben, Peter, Stefanie, Amanda, and Krista

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.