Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift Valley. It is a freshwater lake and empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. The lake covers a total surface area of some 2,700 km2 (1,040 sq mi) and stands at a height of 1,460 meters (4,790 ft) above sea level.

About 58% of its waters lie within DRC borders. Settlements on Lake Kivu shore include Bukavu, Kabare, Kalehe, Sake, and Goma in Congo and Gisenyi, Kibuye and Cyangugu in Rwanda. Lake Kivu lies in an active volcanic area.