Kivu Beach Expo & Festival Brings Joy to Rutsiro While Showcasing the Region’s Natural and Sustainable Potential

The arrival of the Kivu Beach Expo & Festival in Boneza Sector, Rutsiro District, brought not only celebration but also renewed appreciation for the region’s natural environment and the role it plays in community development. Held on December 9, 2025, at Palega Beach Inn along the shores of Lake Kivu, the festival highlighted how cultural events and tourism can go hand in hand with environmental awareness and the promotion of locally sourced, eco-friendly products.

For the first time, the people of Rutsiro welcomed the festival to their own lakeside community. The event attracted more than 5,000 participants, including many from Bugarura Island; an area accessible only by boat. The heavy reliance on water transport gave the festival a distinctly environmental identity, with Lake Kivu serving not only as a venue backdrop but also as a reminder of the region’s rich aquatic ecosystem.

More than 50 exhibitors showcased products made sustainably within Rwanda: handcrafts, honey-related beverages such as “Umunezero” by Rutsiro Honey, and local agricultural products. Many residents expressed pride in seeing their own natural resources transformed into high-quality goods. Rushel Kivu Resort presented fruit juices made directly from crops grown in the area, while Boneza Coffee and the KOPAKAMA Cooperative demonstrated coffee production from plant to cup, a process deeply tied to the soil, climate, and farming traditions of Rutsiro.

The festival also highlighted livestock exhibitors and traditional products, reinforcing the strong relationship between the community and the land. The involvement of local farmers and producers reflected environmental stewardship rooted in everyday life.

Affordable pricing such as reducing Petit Mitsing from 3,000 RWF to 1,000 RWF allowed more residents to enjoy hotel services for the first time. Hotels including Palega Beach Inn and Amara Kivu Resort also offered 50% discounts, making lake-based tourism more accessible and encouraging community engagement with their own natural surroundings.

The environmental aspect of the festival extends into the upcoming activities. Kinunu Wonders Hotel will host boat-racing competitions on Lake Kivu, while Rushel Kivu Resort will feature swimming events and an opportunity to see the region’s distinctive long-horned cows that swim in the lake, a rare interaction between livestock and aquatic environments. Hiking at Kariba Beach will offer another chance for visitors to reconnect with Rutsiro’s landscape.

A three-day Boat Party from December 12–14 is expected to further emphasize Lake Kivu as a natural asset and a focal point for environmentally conscious tourism.

Yirunga Ltd CEO Yves Iyaremye praised the success of the festival and thanked national leadership for providing a secure environment where such events can flourish. He expressed his intention to organize more celebrations in Rutsiro, bringing benefits that support both the community and sustainable local industries.

Rutsiro Mayor Kayitesi Dativa highlighted the significance of hosting an event of this scale for the first time in the district. She expressed appreciation for the preparation efforts, the exhibitors, and performer Igisupusupu, and emphasized the importance of continuing such initiatives. The festival, she noted, offers opportunities not only for entertainment but also for promoting Rutsiro’s cultural heritage, local products, and environmental attractions.

With its blend of cultural expression, natural beauty, and community-driven sustainability, the Kivu Beach Expo & Festival marks an important moment for Rutsiro; one where environment and celebration meet on the shores of Lake Kivu.