Fishing Experiences on the Congo Nile Trail
Article from the series: Attractions of Rwanda, western Uganda and eastern DR Congo
Three connected boats, powered only by singing fishermen with no engine in sight — the Dutch TV crew was impressed! They came to Rwanda to film a travel documentary for 3 op Reis/BNNVARA, with the Congo Nile Trail as a featured highlight. Since the trail hugs Lake Kivu’s shore, capturing lake life was essential.
Consider it done! Once we got the contact of a fishing group leader, everything fell into place. The Rwandan lake marines granted us permission, a motorboat was hired … and soon, memory cards were full of stunning footage.
Would you like to enrich your photo library the same way? Feel free to contact us and don’t miss this special side of Lake Kivu!
Fishing defines the area, in both Rwanda and DR Congo. The main stars are Nile Tilapia and tiny sardines called isambaza, though dozens of other species are present too. Fishermen head out at night, using lamps to lure fish into nets; they are attracted by the light and the insects that die on it. As a paying guest, you can join them aboard or follow in a motorboat. You can either watch the nets being cast or get hands-on — a couple of hours later, you’ll see the first catch. Then the fishermen wave goodbye and continue their overnight work.
But note: fishing isn’t a year-round affair. It’s banned during certain periods — usually around the full moon — to protect young fish and sustain the lake’s ecosystem. Fishermen must be licensed as cooperatives, not individuals. Breaking the rules leads to steep penalties, reinforcing community responsibility for the lake’s future.
Even if you skip a fishing trip, the Congo Nile Trail still offers insight into the fish economy. Keep an eye out for floating cages; they are part of local aquaculture projects that provide both income and nutrition.
text by Olivier Tuyisenge; photos by Enock Musabyimana
