When city life gets to be a bit too much and I want to chill out by a lake for a few days, I generally head to Paradis Malahide, a small guesthouse in Gisenyi. Well… not really in Gisenyi, it’s 7 km from the city, out near the Bralirwa distillery. The ride out there is actually really pretty over some rolling hills with great views so even if you’re staying in town, a trip out here for lunch or dinner makes a nice outing.
If you’re in Gisenyi for business, need to be in town. And if you don’t have your own car then it might be a little isolated. Choose this guesthouse for a tranquil private beach experience, free from floating trash. Thanks to its sheltered bay location that blocks debris from the DR Congo.
The standard rooms I’ve seen have two beds in them pushed together and are for a maximum of two people for Rwf 40,000 for the room. You can pay an extra Rwf 15,000 for a mattress on the floor for one additional person. The pillows are kind of crappy but the beds are comfy. The showers have hot water and good pressure. Prices include breakfast. Camping is also an option at Rwf 15,000 if you want to use their tents and you also get a mattress, sheets and a towel and shower facilities. If you have your own gear you’ll pay Rwf 10,000. Breakfast is paid separately for campers.
Breakfast here is pretty good with a good-sized pot of coffee or tea. And also eggs done how you want, toast and bread and a little fruit bowl. Their menu is pretty good with a lot of choice. The chicken is a bit chewy and food can take awhile. But otherwise it’s nice to enjoy a meal sitting around the camp fire they bust out each night. The atmosphere is really chilled and it’s nice to lounge around on the pillows staring into the fire.
During the day, their small beach is a great place to hang out with deck chairs and umbrellas. Start and end your day with a serenade: local fishermen sing as they paddle their boats out to sea at dawn and back to shore at dusk. If it’s your goal to leave Kigali and relax then Paradis Malahide is a great spot. There really is nothing else to do but laze around, soak up some sun, and eat some good food.
Conclusion
To make a booking give them a call on 0788 756 204 or 0788 648 650 or fill in the contact form on their website.
Thanks for this review Kristy, its sounds good and affordable.
Will surely go check it out.
I’m also a pretty big fan of Paradis. The rooms are nice, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service is amazing. For one visit we brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate my girlfriend’s 30th birthday. We asked the waiter for some glasses, and when the staff realized what the occasion was they brought not only the glass, but a gift for her as well. It was one of those beautiful wooden fish platters with a wooden knife and fork. They even wrapped it and put a bow on it, all with only a few minutes notice.
Their beach is one of the best places in the Rwanda to lay around with a good book, snack on sambaza and waste a day away. It’s also a great place to prop up a tent and stay on the cheap. My only complaint would be…well I just can’t think of one. Definitely one of Rwanda’s top holiday spots.
Hi could you give me a rough idea of drink and lunch prices? We are staying half board and have no idea how much to budget. Kind regards Liz and Steve
It’s affordable but I don’t know exactly. I think a dinner meal is around 5,000 to 8,000 and drinks are the same prices you’d find in a mid-range restaurant in Kigali. My guess would be around 1,200 for a beer and Rwf 3,500 for wine.
Hi,
I was there a few weeks ago and enjoyed my stay. Perhaps you’d like to change the charges/prices as it’s gone up since. Thanks!