Plans to build a major golf resort in the Kivu “zone,” an area earmarked by Rwanda’s tourism planners at the Rwanda Development Board, have become known, adding a further attraction to this scenic part of Rwanda, already known through the Congo Nile Trail which spans from Cyangugu via Kibuye to Gisenyi, today known as Rusizi, Karongi, and Rubavu respectively.
The proposed golf resort which according to some information will also be home to Rwanda’s first marina development, is expected to meet championship standards which would see the land of a thousand hills qualify to host Africa championship events besides a series of local events in which golfers can take part. Presently there is a golf course in Kigali but with the sport gaining in popularity, more courses are needed to meet the growing demand.
Rica Rwigamba, Head of Department for Tourism and Conservation at RDB, confirmed that such plans were at an advanced stage.
Rwanda last year embarked on a new zoning exercise for the Lake Kivu shores, identifying island and mainland areas of particular touristic value, which can be developed under a national tourism master plan to add further attractions to the country’s already impressive range of sights which span from Akagera over Nyungwe to the Volcanoes national parks, birding areas and national forests like Gishwati, and of course the lake side of Kivu.
No specific time frame was given for the golf resort development which is, however, already shown on the RDB’s map for the Karongi area which is part of the available printed information about the country and one of ten such maps covering all parks as well as Kigali, cultural highlights and monuments as well as birding across the country.
