Lake Burera is one of the most beautiful found in Rwanda, situated in the Northern Province surrounded by Virunga Mountains near volcanoes national park. Lake Burera borders Uganda on the southern slopes of mountain Muhavura, lies east of Lake Ruhondo and Musanze town. Lake Burera is a twin lake separated from Lake Ruhondo by a one kilometer stretch of land. Lake Burera is bigger than Lake Ruhondo by 150 meters and this difference has led to the generation of hydro – electric plant that supplies Kigali. Lake Burera covers an area of about 100 meters and is found at the base of mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura giving you a beautiful view with the sights of the waterfalls.

The twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera are surrounded by the step hills and large waterfalls with a backdrop of mountains Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga near the borders of Rwanda. Lake Burera is dark blue in color and it’s separated from its twin Lake Ruhondo by 1km wide strip of land which is believed to be an ancient lava flow from mountain Sabyinyo a nearby extinct volcano. Lake Burera gives you beautiful views from the hillside which is amazing with a number of islands in these twin lakes some of which are inhabited.

Driving towards Kirambo trading center where you get a chance to spot waters that go into Mukungwa comes from this offers guest rewarding sights into the earliest African lifestyles. You will also see water coming from the swamp while standing on top of the bridge as fishermen ply the water in the dugout canoes and people crossing with their goods using sampan.

Lake Burera is surrounded by mountains such as Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo as well as large waterfalls with a backdrop of Virunga Mountains which are good to visit while on your gorilla safari in Rwanda. At the lake are a number of different activities that you can take part in and these include nature walk around the lake, biking which gives you a chance to see whole of Virunga Mountains, canoeing, fishing where you get to catch different fish, canoeing and birding where you get to see a number of different bird species.

How to access Lake Burera in Rwanda

Tourists who want to visit Lake Burera can travel by road. Lake Burera can be accesses from volcanoes national park as its located about one hour’s drive from mountain Sabyinyo silverback lodge. Travelers from Kigali city will have to drive about 99 km to get to the lake. Those already in Cyeru town will only drive for about 32 minutes to get to Lake Burera. Lake Burera can also be accessed by visitors travelling from Mgahinga national park and visitors can accesses this lake using Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Driving to Lake Burera will take you about 1.5 hours.

Best time to visit Lake Burera in Rwanda

Travelers who want to visit Lake Burera can do it any time of the year.

Rwanda is a diverse country with stunning attractions that should be visited while in Rwanda. These include volcanoes national park for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, Nyungwe forest national park famous for chimpanzees and the canopy walk experience, Gishwati Mukura national park for primates and lastly Akagera national park for the big five animals that is the lions, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and leopards.