Pink, orange, and purple: a stunning view of Lake Kivu at dawn. This is what Mantis is promising its customers this summer. The company is planning to launch the Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga in July of 2021. This “floating hotel” will be the first motor yacht to navigate on Lake Kivu in Rwanda.
With ten modern cabins, a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and viewing deck with a hot tub; this unique boat experience will take you on a luxury tour in the mild equatorial montane climate. Escape to the onboard wellness center as the boat lays up alongside one of the most biodiverse ecozones of the world – the Albertine rift montane forests. In addition to guided hikes and bird watching, we provide insight into the quaint Rwandan villages through a variety of interactions based on culture and cuisine.
This intimate houseboat boasts a local staff complement, enabling us to curate an exceptional experience for each guest and at the same time provide a much-needed income to the local community. In line with Mantis’ community and conservation pillars; the Kivu Queen has been created to add value to the environment and communities of Lake Kivu.
As reported by Travel Weekly, the journey of the Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga will start in Rubavu, in the north of Rwanda, sailing past the island of Idjwi to pay respect to pygmy tribes. It will then stop by a tea and coffee estate run by local farming cooperatives for a tour and tasting. Some of the amenities proposed are guided hikes, bird-watching and excursions to picturesque Rwandan villages.
Lake Kivu is a 90km-long freshwater lake that lies along Africa’s Great Rift Valley and is lined with pretty fishing villages. With crystal clear, clean waters, it is a beautiful destination with no hippos or crocodiles, also making it one of the safest lakes in Africa.
The Kivu Queen is solar powered and equipped with advanced waste-management and heating systems. It is meant to support the communities of Lake Kivu while caring for the environment.
