Primate Tours
About This Tour
Napoleon Island sits on Lake Kivu near the town of Kibuye (Karongi), and gets its name from its shape — seen from certain angles on the water, the hill on the island resembles Napoleon Bonaparte's bicorne hat. The more memorable reason to visit, though, is what lives in its trees: a genuinely large colony of fruit bats, numbering in the thousands, roosting in the island's forest canopy. Arriving by boat as they stir at dusk, or simply seeing the sheer number of them during the day, is a real, slightly surreal Lake Kivu experience most visitors never hear about.
The day starts with a private drive from Kigali to Kibuye on Lake Kivu's eastern shore, followed by a boat trip out to the island with a local boatman who knows exactly where to find the bat colony and the best angle to see the "hat" silhouette. It pairs naturally with a broader Lake Kivu stay, or works as a standalone full-day trip from Kigali.
Tour Highlights
Boat trip to Napoleon Island on Lake Kivu
A genuinely large fruit bat colony roosting in the island's trees
The hat-shaped silhouette the island is named for
Private 4x4 transport from Kigali to Kibuye and back
Local boatman with real knowledge of the island and its bats
Scenic views across Lake Kivu throughout the day
Pairs naturally with a wider Lake Kivu stay
What's Included
Included
Private 4x4 vehicle with driver-guide, Kigali to Kibuye and return
Boat trip to and around Napoleon Island
Local boatman/guide
Bottled water
Not Included
Meals
Accommodation (if extending your stay at Lake Kivu)
International flights
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Tour Itinerary
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16:00 AMDepart KigaliPrivate pickup from your Kigali hotel. Scenic drive west to Kibuye on Lake Kivu's shore, roughly 2.5-3 hours.
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29:30 AMBoat to Napoleon IslandBoard a boat at Kibuye harbor with your local boatman for the short crossing to Napoleon Island.
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310:00 AMThe Bat Colony & the Hat SilhouetteExplore the island's shoreline by boat, see the fruit bat colony roosting in the trees, and view the hill from the angle that gives the island its name.
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411:30 AMReturn to KibuyeBoat back to Kibuye, with time at leisure on the lakeshore before the return drive.
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5AfternoonReturn to KigaliPrivate drive back to Kigali, arriving in the late afternoon — or stay on at Lake Kivu if you've extended your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Napoleon Island tour cost?
From $550 per person, including private 4x4 transport from Kigali to Kibuye and back, plus the boat trip to Napoleon Island with a local boatman.
Why is it called Napoleon Island?
The island's hill has a distinctive silhouette that, from certain angles on the water, resembles Napoleon Bonaparte's bicorne hat — which is where the name comes from.
What will I actually see on Napoleon Island?
The island is home to a large colony of fruit bats roosting in its trees, visible in real numbers during the day and especially active around dusk. Combined with the hat-shaped hill and open lake views, it's a genuinely different Lake Kivu experience.
Can this be combined with a longer Lake Kivu stay?
Yes — Napoleon Island pairs naturally with our Lake Kivu & Rubavu Tour or any multi-day itinerary that includes time on the lake. Tell us when you enquire and we'll build it into your schedule.
Is the boat trip safe?
Yes — we use experienced local boatmen familiar with the lake and the island. Life jackets are provided for the crossing.
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