Best Time to Go Fishing in Rwanda

By Bujuku Eco Tours Rwanda Safaris 0 Comments

Fishing is possible year-round across Rwanda’s lakes, given the country’s consistently mild, high-altitude climate, but the two dry seasons offer the most reliable and comfortable conditions.

The long dry season from June through September and the short dry season from December through February bring less rainfall, calmer water and clearer skies, all of which improve both the comfort and productivity of a fishing outing.

Within any season, early mornings and late afternoons are generally the most productive times, since fish tend to feed more actively during these cooler periods, a pattern that holds true across Akagera’s lakes, Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi alike.

Rwanda’s mild climate means even the wetter months remain workable for fishing, though anglers should expect less predictable conditions and potentially choppier water, particularly on the larger expanses of Lake Kivu.

Season	Months	Conditions	Fishing Recommendation
Long dry season	June – September	Clear skies, calmer water, less rainfall	Best overall conditions across all locations
Short dry season	December – February	Warm, dry, comfortable conditions	Strong alternative to the mid-year dry season
Long rains	March – May	Wetter, choppier water possible	Workable but less predictable; more common on Lake Kivu’s open water
Short rains	October – November	Moderate rainfall	Generally manageable with some variability

What Does Fishing in Rwanda Cost?

Fishing costs in Rwanda vary by location and involve a combination of park entry fees where applicable, a specific fishing permit, and equipment costs if you don’t bring your own.

At Akagera National Park, both Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani require standard park entry fees plus a separate fishing permit, arranged through park authorities, and anglers are expected to bring their own equipment, though hire may be available depending on current park arrangements.

Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi generally involve more modest costs, primarily boat hire and a guide or captain’s fee if fishing from the water rather than the shore, without the same formal permit structure as Akagera’s national park fishing. Confirming current requirements and costs with a local operator or your accommodation before planning a specific outing is worthwhile, since these details can change.

Akagera National Park fishing (Ihema or Shakani) — Park entry fee plus fishing permit

Standard Akagera National Park entry fees apply, plus a specific fishing permit fee for either lake. Bring your own fishing equipment, since availability of hire gear within the park may be limited. This is the most structured and formally managed fishing experience in Rwanda.

Lake Kivu sport fishing or night fishing experience — Boat and guide hire

A private boat and local guide arranged through your lodge or a local operator in Rubavu, Karongi or Rusizi, at a cost that varies with boat type and duration. The singing fishermen night experience is typically arranged as a specific excursion through local operators along the lakeshore.

Lake Muhazi day excursion — Boat hire from Kigali day trip

A boat and captain hired for a half-day excursion from Kigali, roughly forty minutes away, at a modest cost relative to the other options, making this the most budget-accessible fishing outing for travellers based in the capital.

Where to Stay for Fishing Access

Accommodation for a Rwanda fishing trip depends entirely on which specific location you’re targeting, and each of the main fishing destinations has its own convenient accommodation base nearby.

For Akagera fishing specifically, staying within the park’s southern section puts you closest to both Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani, while Lake Kivu’s three main towns and Kigali’s proximity to Lake Muhazi each offer their own practical bases.

Fishing Destination	Best Base	Distance
Lake Ihema / Lake Shakani	Ruzizi Tented Camp, Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, or Shakani Campsite	Within Akagera National Park’s southern section
Lake Kivu	Rubavu (Gisenyi), Karongi (Kibuye) or Rusizi (Cyangugu) lodges	Directly on the lakeshore in each town
Lake Muhazi	Kigali hotels, or lakeside lodges directly at Muhazi	40 minutes from Kigali; some accommodation directly on the lake

What to Bring and Expect When Fishing in Rwanda

Preparing properly for a Rwanda fishing outing, particularly since equipment availability for hire is limited in most locations, makes a significant difference to how enjoyable the experience is.

Bring Your Own Equipment

Across almost every Rwanda fishing destination, visitors are advised to bring their own rod, reel, tackle, extra line, hooks and lures, since equipment for hire is not reliably available, particularly outside the main Akagera and Lake Kivu tourism circuits.

Packing a compact, travel-friendly rod and reel setup, along with a basic tackle selection suited to the species you’re targeting, tilapia, catfish or the larger Nile perch, is worth the extra luggage space if fishing is a genuine priority for your trip.

Secure the Right Permits in Advance

Akagera National Park fishing on either Lake Ihema or Lake Shakani requires a specific fishing permit arranged through park authorities, in addition to standard park entry fees, and this should be booked in advance through your operator or directly with the park rather than assumed to be available on arrival.

Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi generally involve less formal permit structures, but confirming current requirements with a local guide or operator before your visit avoids any surprises.

Understand the Catch-and-Release Norm

Sport fishing in Rwanda’s national park lakes generally follows a catch-and-release approach, though this isn’t always strictly enforced, and most locations allow visitors to keep one fish from their catch to have prepared as a meal, either at their lodge or directly at a lakeside setting.

This blend of conservation-minded practice and genuine reward gives Rwanda’s sport fishing a character that suits both serious catch-and-release anglers and those who simply want the pleasure of a freshly caught, freshly cooked fish at the end of the day.

Combine Fishing with Other Activities

Fishing at Akagera pairs naturally with game drives, birdwatching, given the park’s more than 500 recorded species, and the Lake Ihema boat cruise, making a fishing morning a genuine complement to rather than a replacement for the park’s other signature activities.

At Lake Kivu, fishing combines easily with swimming, kayaking, island excursions and a stretch of the Congo Nile Trail, while a Lake Muhazi trip pairs naturally with a relaxed day away from Kigali’s more structured city activities.

Consider the Singing Fishermen Experience Even Without Fishing Yourself

For travellers without a specific angling interest but genuine curiosity about Lake Kivu’s fishing culture, joining or observing the traditional night fishing expedition for sambaza, gathering at the lakeshore around 4:30am to watch boat preparation, lantern lighting and the coordinated singing that accompanies the work, is worth doing purely as a cultural experience.

This doesn’t require any fishing skill or equipment of your own and offers a genuinely memorable early-morning window into local lake life.

Preparation Item	Why It Matters	Where Most Relevant
Your own fishing rod, reel and tackle	Hire equipment is not reliably available at most locations	All locations
Akagera fishing permit (booked in advance)	Required specifically for Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani	Akagera National Park
Sun protection and insect repellent	Extended time on open water and near lakeshore vegetation	All locations
Confirmation of local boat/guide arrangements	Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi have less formal permit structures	Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi
Early morning arrival for singing fishermen experience	The expedition begins around 4:30am at the lakeshore	Lake Kivu