Exploring the beauty of Tchegera Island
Exploring the beauty of Tchegera Island : Tchegera Island is one of the top tourist destinations that every traveller who love nature experience while their in Congo wildlife safaris may not miss. The Island is the better place for relaxation ad refreshment and also harbor vast number of wildlife .Tchegera island it the beautiful island found in the northern shores of lake Kivu which is shared by both Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. The island is one of the spot that you can have enough breathing space after foregoing activities in Virunga national park such as gorilla trekking experiences and also hiking Mount Nyiragongo. Most of the Congo tours and safaris have exiting visit to Tchegera Island as the last activity which offers a perfect relaxation and enjoyment atmosphere after along tiresome activities of the day.
The Tchegera Island is a U-shaped collapsed volcanic Caldera Island just a 15 to 20 minutes boat ride from Goma harbor. It was recently reopened in July 2019 after the re-establishment of Virunga national park due to insecurity reasons but came with renovated facilities and staff. Travelers on Congo wildlife safari can access the island on a Virunga hired boat or private boat. The island is also a best places for the honeymooners who decide to visit Virunga for their honeymoon adventures. The Island also has a verity of wildlife, plant species as well as various bird species like African eagle, gull and butterflies that are worthy enough for you adventure safaris. During the night, Tchegera Island also offers spectacular view of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira with their glomming red lava piercing a star overs sky, a view that is worth enough to experience. And also mountain like Mikero, mount Karisimbi can also be seen from Tchegera Island
The Island has about 10 well equipped but far apart safari styled Meru tents with warm showers that offer luxurious life to travellers visiting the Tchegera Island which is comprised of standard Wi-Fi, good powered generator for charging points and luxury touch in the interior . The tent a well-equipped en-suite bathroom with electric hand hair driers. While at the terraced of the tents travellers are rewarded with a wonderful views of the places. There are also few trails on Tchegera that you can take on and also a new one that is interesting as it shows you the island from all angles of the U-shaped. While at the Island You may opt to have the amazing experiences by taking on a guided bush walk on the island, birding walk, even go kayaking on the near waters or take jogs in Tchegera Island.
Activities carried out at Tchegera Island
There are a variety of activates that are carried out at Tchegera Island that each traveler can take park in and enjoy while inn the island such as;
Bird watching
Bird watching is one of the most done activities by the visitors who come to relax on Tchegera Island. The birding activities on Tchegera island are guided and some of the birds that can be seen here include African Pied Wagtail, Tropical Boubou, common kestrel, Common Waxbill, Speckled Pigeons, Chin-spot Batis, Ashy Flycatcher, spotted Yellow-throated Greenbul, Cardinal Woodpecker, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Bronzed Sunbirds, African Pied Wagtail, and Spectacled Weaver among others.
Also, the shores of Lake Kivu offer opportunities of spotting the colorful Red-chested sunbirds, Southern Red Bishop, Hadada Ibis, Striated Heron, Yellow-fronted Canary, Common Waxbill, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Black-headed Heron, African fish eagle, Sacred Ibis, Little bee-eater, Yellow-bellied Waxbill Holub’s Golden Weaver, Angola swallow, Bronzed Manakin, Variable Sunbird, Black-headed Weaver, and many others.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise is another activity done mostly by travellers who visit Tchegera Island. The boat cruise is done in the morning or afternoon hours and it takes you around the lake as you experience different fish species, birds, and surrounding areas such as mountains and islands.
Kayaking and paddle boarding
Kayaking and paddle boarding are great adventure activities in the island some travelers at Tchegera Island engage in. The activity enables the participants to explore the islands surroundings, the lake as they enjoy the cool breeze from the fresh waters.
Nature walks
Nature walks are other activities done by travelers that visit Tchegera Island. The nature walks are done around the area to explore more of the vegetation, the lake, waters, birds, and its surroundings. Another activity that can be done on this island is sunset viewing.
Others activities that can be done by a traveler in Tchegera Island is swimming , sunset viewing , snorkeling, scenic and fishing which can be done on lake
How to get to Tchegera Island
Getting to Tchegera Island can be accessed by hiring a Virunga boat, private boat or Kayak. Tchegera Island can be from Goma harbor or Kituku port and can takes about 20 minutes to reach the island.
Where to stay on Tchegera Island?
There is only one accommodation facility on Tchegera Island where most of the tourist visiting opt stay for a night or more in Tchegera Island camp. The lodge is a luxury one with the best tents that have en-suite bathrooms, warm showers, free Wi-Fi, hand hair driers, and private balconies that give spectacular views of Lake Kivu. They do cook local and international foods and they have well-trained staff.
What is the best time to visit Tchegera Island?
Tchegera Island can be visited at any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest. The dry months of June to September and December to February are the best to visit this island since they are characterized by little or no rainfall which does not affect the activities done on the island. Due to little or no rainfall, the water levels on Lake Kivu are down and this does not affect the movement of the boats to and from the island.
Travelers can still visit Tchegera island for relaxation and different activities most especially birding in the rainy season of March to May and October to November but during these months, there is plenty of rainfall that makes the walking trails muddy and slippery, the skies are cloudy with unclear views of the surrounding and the water levels are high which might affect moving of the boats. The rainy season is the best time for birders because there are so many birds in this area.