The road was calling—I was leaving Rubavu, bound for Kinunu in the quiet hills of Boneza Sector. My panniers were packed, and the day ahead promised winding roads and lake views. But before I could properly hit the saddle, I needed to honor a simple ritual that marks the beginning of every journey I take: coffee.
I had spent the night at a cozy Airbnb affiliated with Blue Malibu, a Rubavu-based venture that runs a restaurant and a couple of inviting residences. Morning was just breaking open, and I hadn’t eaten yet. But I wasn’t after a heavy breakfast. All I needed was a thermos of fresh milk to go with a can of Instant Gorilla’s Coffee tucked into my gear—a compact companion on many of my travels.
So I swung by Palm Garden Resort, nestled right on the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu in Nyamyumba Sector. I do business with the resort, and our long-standing relationship made it easy for me to settle in without ceremony. I asked for milk, unscrewed the thermos, and mixed my morning fix with slow, familiar motions.
I ordered the milk and settled in, thermos in hand. The moment needed nothing more. As I stirred the coffee, the scene before me unfolded like a well-loved postcard: Lake Kivu stretched out in gentle ripples, Akeza Island sat quiet in the distance, and the Amashyuza Peninsula curved with a quiet grace that only nature can perfect.
Palm Garden Resort, beyond serving as my convenient coffee stop, is a well-rounded destination in its own right. With 14 comfortable rooms, one spacious apartment, and a collection of fully equipped camping tents, the resort caters to a wide spectrum of travelers. Whether you're a backpacker counting francs or a tourist seeking comfort without compromise, there’s something here for everyone. The camping grounds—located right within the resort’s lush compound—offer a taste of the outdoors without giving up the perks of good hospitality.
There, surrounded by the gentle rhythm of Lake Kivu, I lingered over each sip. The road to Kinunu could wait a little longer. Some mornings deserve to unfold slowly.