From Rubavu, I charted a boat and sailed to Kivumu in the neighboring district of Rutsiro. On my way to Kivumu, I learned one or two things about the process of extracting methane gas from the lake but that’s a story for another day.

Before departure, I used a pair of binoculars to zoom in the view of Rubavu beach and the Congolese city of Goma. Goma airport was as busy as usual. Farther ahead, I saw a blurry image of the Nyiragongo active volcano that caused a turmoil last year.

We set sail in the morning and bypassed Akeza, k’Abakobwa and k’Abakingi islets. The sight of those attractions rekindled memories of my previous island getaways. A tour of these magical creations is highly recommended.

As my captain steered his boat towards Kivumu, one cormorant bird attracted my attention. This fascinating bird was gliding seamlessly on the surface of the lake. When she spread her wings and flew away, I saw freedom in the air. Shortly after returning to the shuffled waves, like a landing helicopter, she dived beneath the surface and disappeared. A cormorant is the only creature I know capable of being a bird in the air and a fish in the water.

Upon arrival, I took a walk on the sandy beach. One step at a time, I listened to my favorite song. I am talking about the splashing sound of Lake Kivu’s gentle waves. This song has a calming effect.

Hilly peninsulas and semicircular bays embellish Kivumu’s shoreline. The view of the islands from the shore is breathtaking. From the distance, some of them look like floating gardens.

The author is an adventurer on a tour of all 30 districts and 416 sectors of Rwanda. Follow his awe-inspiring expeditions on Twitter @GeoExposure.