Lake Cohoha

Lake Cohoha in Burundi's far north is a shallow lake with a very irregular shore, arms and inlets running between low hills, and the border with Rwanda runs through it so both countries hold parts. Fishing villages work the shore and papyrus lines much of the edge. It is one of a group of northern lakes that make this the wettest-looking part of an otherwise hilly country. The northern lakes together are sometimes called the Bugesera lakes, after the region they sit in.

What you actually see

• The irregular shore - arms and inlets running between low hills.
• The papyrus edge - the reed fringe around much of the lake.
• The fishing villages - the settlements working the water.
• The shared border - the frontier with Rwanda running through the lake.

When to go

June to September is the dry season. Water levels rise with the rains from October. Early morning is best for birds and for fishing activity.

Honest expectations

There is no visitor infrastructure and boats must be arranged in the villages. Border proximity means checkpoints on some roads. Bilharzia is a risk in the water.

Nearby

Lake Rweru is east, and Kirundo is south.