Napoleon Island

The island got its name from its profile, which someone decided resembled Napoleon's hat, and it rises steeply from Lake Kivu near Karongi. A colony of straw-coloured fruit bats, numbering in the thousands, roosts in the trees on its slopes, and the reason to go is to be there when they leave at dusk in a stream that takes minutes to pass. A path climbs to the top through grass, with views back over the lake.

The landscape

• The bat colony - thousands of fruit bats roosting in the trees on the slopes.
• The dusk departure - the colony leaving to feed, a stream lasting several minutes.
• The summit path - a climb through grass to the top of the island.
• The lake views - Kivu and the Karongi peninsulas from the ridge.

When to go

June to September and December to February are the drier windows and the calmest for the boat. Late afternoon into dusk is when the bats leave. Boats should be arranged for the return in the dark.

Practical notes

Climbing among the roost disturbs the bats and guides sometimes encourage noise to make them fly; this is not acceptable and should be refused. Boat prices must be agreed before setting out, including the return. There are no facilities on the island.

Nearby

Karongi is on the shore opposite, and Lake Kivu runs north and south.

Key facts