DRIVING THROUGH WINDING ROADS, PAST women in colourful kitenge dresses, tin-roofed houses and hillsides of red earth covered with pine, eucalyptus trees, and banana plantations, we catch our first glimpse of the mirror-like Lake Kivu from a distance.
Situated in the African Rift Valley, Lake Kivu, shared by both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stretches for 89 km and is Rwanda's largest lake. Millions of years old, it looks more like an inland sea. A deep shade of green, with clumps of volcanic islands, it's surrounded by terraced hill slopes with macadamia, coffee and banana plantations.
Though the lake looks idyllic, it hides a secret in its depths. Not many people know that due to tectonic activity in the area, the lake contains a volatile mix of dissolved carbon dioxide and methane laced with toxic hydrogen sulfide. At its bottom, an earthquake or a volcanic eruption could trigger a gas release known as a limbic eruption. The lake, however, is considered safe for swimming as there are no animals like hippos or crocodiles lurking in its waters.
Resort towns with beaches and a laid-back vibe line the shores of the lake and it is a popular getaway destination for the locals of this landlocked country. Many come here to hike or cycle on the surrounding trails, kayak or explore a part of the legendary Congo Nile trail-a 227 km stretch that takes ten days to complete on foot.
Our first stop on the lake is the small town of Karongi, which comes alive in August with thousands of yellow-billed kites as they migrate. Today, seeing the tranquil town, it's hard to believe that it witnessed one of the worst massacres of 1994 when more than 10,000 Tutsis were killed. The sombre Genocide Memorial Church with stained glass windows stands on a hill, in testimony of this tragedy.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chutneys For Every Season
GROWING UP IN JHARKHAND, I've always been enchanted by the state's culinary landscape. Here, the local cuisine never fails to surprise with its depth and variety.
BADGE OF HONOUR
IN THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE of tourism, where greenwashing often taints sustainability, certifications can help distinguish between genuine efforts and marketing gimmicks. Green certification systems encourage businesses to enhance their environmental credentials.
WHEELS OF TIME
IN 1947, TRAINS CARRYING REFUGEES ACROSS THE BORDER WERE SYMBOLIC OF THE TUMULT OF THE PARTITION.
RAILS OF THE Raj
FROM ITS CONCEPTION TO ITS ROLE IN THE NATION'S HISTORY, THE BRITISH INDIAN RAILWAYS IS A PHENOMENON MARKED AS MUCH BY MARVEL AS AVARICE
THE RHYTHM OF BOLLYWOOD
FROM THE RAILROAD THRILLER MISS FRONTIER MAIL 1936) TO SHAH RUKH KHAN DANCING ON A TRAIN IN DIL SE' 1998), TRAINS HAVE GIVEN UNFORGETTABLE SONG SEQUENCES TO MANY HINDI FILMS
MEMORY'S OASIS
REMEMBRANCES OF GROWING UP IN SEALDAH RAILWAY OFFICERS COLONY IN KOLKATA
A FAREWELL × TO FLAVOURS
FROM CUTLETS AND RAILWAY MUTTON CURRY IN DINING CARS TO THE UNREMARKABLE FARE AVAILABLE TODAY, THE JOURNEY OF FOOD ON THE INDIAN RAILWAY IS FASCINATING
HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS
THE ICONIC DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY, FONDLY CALLED THE TOY TRAIN,' HAS HELD ITS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS SINCE 1999
HIDDEN LIVES
SPANNING 65,000 KILOMETRES THROUGH DENSELY POPULATED INDIA, THE RAILWAYS ARE A BACKDROP TO COUNTLESS STORIES. 'THE UNRESERVED' BY FILMMAKER SAMARTH MAHAJAN CAPTURES A FEW
JOURNEYS WITHIN AND WITHOUT
FOR IMTIAZ ALI, TRAIN JOURNEYS ARE TRANSFORMATIVE, OFFERING GLIMPSES OF INDIA'S DIVERSE SOCIETY AND ITS MANY CULTURES AND RELIGIONS