Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

These beautiful twin lakes are located at the base Volcano Muhabura and close to the border of Rwanda and Uganda in the northern part of Rwanda, on the outskirts of Musanze. They are located close to the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda known as “gorilla’s home” with their blue water surrounded by the Virunga high hills. Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo are separated by a 1 km wide strip of land.

These lakes formed as a result of volcanic activity, where the largest river in Rwanda (Nyabarongo River) used to flow northward to Ndorwa (many years ago this part was for Rwandan side, but currently it belongs to Uganda). Due to the volcanic eruption which took place in the volcanic region in northern part of Rwanda, precisely due to the eruption of Muhabura volcano (currently considered as dormant volcano), the lava flows from volcanoes blocked the Nyabarongo river’s channel. This led to the formation of these twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo, also considered as “Lava dammed lakes”, and the divert of Nyabarongo river by flowing southeastward where it joins Akanyaru River to form Akagera River.

Rwanda’s Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo have combined area surface of about 2800 ha.

These magnificent twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo and its swamp Rugezi are the excellent photogenic, serene and scenic places for bird watching activity. Moreover, Rugezi swamp is one of the most seven important birding areas (IBAs) in Rwanda.