Getting there

Murugo Bay arrival and departure are by boat! Prior to your arrival date, please communicate with Arsene about your arrival time so that he can organize the boat according to your preferences! Please also give Arsene a heads-up about when you would like to leave on your last day so that he can organize with the boat driver accordingly. One roundtrip on the boat (from your meeting point to/from Murugo Bay) is included in your booking fee.

Arriving from Kigali: You can park in Kigufi at Maison St. Benoit, which is about 3.5 hours from Kigali by car/taxi. This is a safe parking lot located within a convent (nunnery); the sisters here are so lovely, and they have been family friends for over 10 years. Arsene will meet you in the parking lot, and he will help to get all your belongings into the boat! The boat rides to and from Kigufi-Murugo Bay are about 20-25 minutes each way.

Arriving from Goma: Once you have crossed the border (grande barrière), we can arrange for the boat to pick you on the public beach in Gisenyi (just beside the border). Arsene will share the exact details about the boat meeting location. The boat rides to and from Gisenyi beach-Murugo Bay are about 45 minutes each way.

Food & Drink

A Self-Catered Experience: Please bring your own food and drinks with you for your
stay. There is a fridge and a pantry in the main kitchen where you can unpack all your
groceries when you arrive! Please note that the groceries available in Gisenyi are quite
limited, so we recommend bringing your food with you.

What we Provide:

• Clean drinking water (there is a water dispenser in the main kitchen)
• Coffee
• An assortment of herbal teas
• Cooking spices, including salt and pepper
• Olive oil and vinegar
• Your first morning breakfast: Yoghurt, milk, fruit assortment, muesli

Wine: Bottles of wine (red and white) can be found in the Murugo kitchen. Each bottle is 30k. If you choose to drink any during your stay, please send the payment to Arsene at the end of your stay (via momo or cash).

Ordering from Local Restaurants: Arsene can share menus with you from the local restaurants that we recommend. You can place your order through Arsene and he will make sure that it is delivered to you directly at Murugo Bay. To avoid delays, please communicate with Arsene well in advance to place an order. You can pay Arsene directly for your order, and he will also advise about the cost of delivery (usually approximately 5k).

Things to Do

Kivu Belt Tourism: There are a number of tourist attractions to enjoy in the area. Check out the “Visit Rwanda” and “Kivu Belt Travel” websites to explore some ideas!

Murugo Bay Water Activities

Kayaking: We have 3 kayaks available (two double kayaks, and one single). Lifejackets (adult and childsized) and paddles can be accessed from the outdoor activities shed. Lifejackets are mandatory for all boating activities.

Fishing: We have fishing rods available in the outdoor games shed. You can ask Arsene for some worms!

Swimming: Please swim at your own risk. There is a risk of schistosomiasis in Lake Kivu.

Boat trips on Lake Kivu: Arsene can arrange this for you at an additional cost.

Please note that all water activities are at your own risk. Children should be supervised by adults at all times. There is a risk of schistosomiasis in Lake Kivu.

Murugo Bay Indoor Activities

Games: We have a shelf of board games for you to enjoy.

Books: Feel free to take a book off the bookshelf and enjoy!

Murugo Bay Additional Outdoor Activities

Campfire: We have an outdoor firepit with built-in seating. Arsene can arrange for the fire to be started at the time you’d like! Please let him know at least 1 hour in advance.

Outdoor lawn/beach games: These are available in the outdoor games shed, and include activities like cornhole, Spikeball, beach volleyball, beach badminton, Mölkky, a kite, and more.

Massages: We have a massage bed at Murugo Bay! With advance notice, Arsene can arrange for the masseuse to come directly to Murugo Bay! The cost for a massage is 40k for one hour. Payments can be made to Arsene (via cash or momo).

Beach barbecue: We provide the barbecue and charcoal and get it all set up and started on the beach whenever you’d like! Please ask Arsene know at least 1 hour in advance.

Considerations for the Little Ones

If you are visiting Murugo Bay with your little ones, we have some additional amenities available to make everyone feel comfortable and right at home! If you are interested in any of these amenities, please simply request this upon booking (free of charge).

Playtime Essentials

Indoor bookshelf: Available in the Murugo living room, with books to inspire learning.

Family games: Available on the games shelf in the Murugo living room. In particular, look for the memory game and the classic “pickup sticks” game.

Indoor imaginative play: We have an assortment of indoor toys, including colourful wooden building blocks, “Magnatiles”, “Kapla”, and a wooden boat with animals.

Outdoor beach play: We have an assortment of sand toys available.