Galaxy Kivu Retreat: Catching My Breath Midway Through the 30 Districts Expedition
When I pulled back the curtains that morning, I was awestruck by a breathtaking vista. There it was—Akeza Island floating gracefully on the calm waters and Amashyuza Peninsula reaching out like a gentle arm. It was a sight to behold.
The night before had taken a different turn. I was exhausted. After decades of life in the fast lane, I’ve come to trust the signals my body sends. That’s why I quietly slipped out of Saga Bay just as the party was hitting its stride. My friends weren’t thrilled—they tried to talk me into staying. But I remembered the words of a wise man who once said, “When your body says no, pay your bill and leave unapologetically. You owe nobody an explanation.” I took that advice to heart.
I made my way to Galaxy Kivu Hotel. The moment I arrived, I took a quick shower and slept like a baby. When I woke up in the morning, I spent about forty-five minutes unwinding in the jacuzzi right in my room. As the gentle heat and massaging jets worked their magic, I soaked up the beauty of the lake sandwiched between stunning hills. With the curtains wide open, the view was unobstructed. There’s something undeniably therapeutic about soaking in a hot tub while gazing out at the horizon.
When I woke up in the morning, I spent about forty-five minutes unwinding in the jacuzzi right in my room.
Breakfast was served on the deck of the hotel’s open-air restaurant, an architectural ode to maritime design. With its ship-like structure, I almost felt like I was dining aboard a cruise liner. The lake shimmered under the morning sun, and the rhythmic shuffle of waves added a soothing soundtrack.
Galaxy Kivu Hotel is located in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District. The Kivu Belt is quickly becoming a magnet for investors. The ongoing transformation is positioning this strip as one of Rwanda’s emerging tourism hotspots.
I was in the middle of the longest trip I have ever embarked on—a tour of all 30 districts of Rwanda—and Rubavu marked my 18th stop. I arrived on a Friday evening, road-weary but eager to soak in the charm of this enchanting district. Bearing in mind that I had a long way to go, I decided to give myself a well-deserved break on Saturday—the very day I’m now reminiscing about.
Galaxy Kivu Hotel is located in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District. The Kivu Belt is quickly becoming a magnet for investors.
On that laid-back Saturday, I rested and recharged my batteries. Sunday was reserved for climbing Rubona Hill, a scenic moderately strenuous hike. Then on Monday, I would be back on the road, bound for Rutsiro District, the next chapter in this unforgettable nationwide adventure.
After breakfast, I lounged by the pool flipping pages until lunchtime. Later in the afternoon, I got bored and jumped on a jet ski. There was something familiar about the thrill—the rush of wind against the explosive machine, the sense of freedom, the control at my fingertips. It reminded me of the motorcycle rides that had carried me through this cross-country tour. Only this time, I had traded the bumpy off-road trails and the smooth tarmacs that snaked around Rwanda’s hills for the shuffled waves of Lake Kivu. The terrain had changed, but the exhilaration was the same—liberating and invigorating.
Galaxy Kivu Hotel is more than just a place to sleep—it is a sanctuary where the body recovers, the mind resets, and the soul finds peace. When I hit the road on Monday morning, I was as fresh as the lake breeze at sunrise—rested, recharged, and ready for the next chapter of my journey.
When I hit the road on Monday morning, I was as fresh as the lake breeze at sunrise—rested, recharged, and ready for the next chapter of my journey.