Lake Kivu Night Fishing Experience in Karongi

Activity Description

Join the singing Fishermen of Lake Kivu on night on the lake as they fish for sambaza,the famous small fish of Lake Kivu. This tour is as real as it gets. You will
join a real fishing crew during their normal fishing activity so be prepared to
get your hands dirty. The tour starts on board one of the cooperatives comfortable
tour boats and your guide will accompany you out to join one of the fishing boats
as they paddle out for a night of fishing on the lake. The cooperative will be able to pick you up and drop you off at any location on the lake front close to Karongi town.

Once you have reached the fishing boat, you will accompany the crew as they paddle, sing and whistle their way out on the lake in the sunset. The song sung by the fishermen is a traditional song in an old language which has been passed down through generations of fishermen. Well out by the fishing location, you will help the
crew to get the nets ready by lowering them under the boat. As darkness
descends on the lake, paraffin lights are lit to attract the sambaza fish. From
here you will need to wait until enough fish is attracted. The crew usually rests
for a while until the captain decides that enough fish has been attracted below
the boat. Together with the crew you will pull the nets up into the boat which is
a tough and laborious activity. One catch usually yields anything from 3 to 30
kgs of fish depending on the location and the current conditions. The nets are
lowered and pulled several times by the crew until they return at dusk. You are
welcome to stay and wait for another catch, but most people are fairly tired at
this point and board the tour boat to return to land.