You might not expect to find sandy stretches of beachfront and swimming spots in this landlocked nation right in the heart of Africa, but that's precisely what Gisenyi has up its sleeve. Tucked between lava-formed foothills and lava fields under the gaze of Mount Nyiragongo, this small and welcoming town straddles the banks of Lake Kivu.

There will be plenty of time to chill and relax under the clusters of banana trees and waxy tropical plants that line the shores. You can add in some action with kayak expeditions around the lakeside, boating outings across wide Kivu, or even trekking days on the trails that weave and wiggle through the jungles close to the DRC border. When you return, there are good cafés peppering the green hills by the water's edge, along with Rwanda's biggest brewery, which is open for tasting sessions.

Gisenyi tour guides can also help you plan those bucket-list safaris. The Volcanoes National Park is not too far from here. Its gateway at Kinigi is just 1.5 hour's drive to the north-west, so head there early for intrepid gorilla trekking or mountain climbing.