What it is
A deep rift lake on the DRC border. Three towns are worth staying in: Rubavu (Gisenyi) in the north, Karongi (Kibuye) in the middle and Rusizi in the south. Rubavu is around ninety minutes from the Volcanoes trailheads.
Why go
It is the rest stop after trekking. Beaches, boat trips out to the islands, kayaking, and the Congo Nile Trail for cyclists and walkers. Fishermen head out at dusk in lashed-together trimarans and sing as they paddle, which is a working routine rather than a show.
When to go
The dry months are pleasanter but the lake works all year. Karongi is the quietest of the three and has the best island trips; Rubavu is the easiest to reach from the gorillas. This is an add-on to a Rwanda trip, not a reason to fly to Africa.
Most people stay 2-3 nights.