This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
Located on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the hilly resort town of Rubavu is home to a unique attraction – traditional massage parlours on the beaches of Lake Kivu.
As reported on Nairobi News on July 14, 2019, these parlours offer a completely different experience compared to the closed-door affair found in Nairobi.
Lake Kivu, Africa's eighth largest lake, sits on the western branch of the East African Rift and boasts hot water with a chemical composition of medicinal value, with temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius.
Traditional masseurs in the carefully dug-out parlours charge between 10,000 to 20,000 Rwanda Francs (approximately Ksh1,500 to Ksh2,500) for body massages, which claim to treat back and muscle pains.
Visitors with leg pains can opt for a hot water treatment at a fee of 1,000 Rwanda Francs (approximately Ksh150), which reportedly heals fatigue and muscle pain.
This reporter found numerous 'patients', mostly elderly and pregnant women, in the parlours, who were willing to get half-naked for a dose of treatment.
Additionally, a nearby sauna-like area offers men the opportunity to be buried in warm sand for about 30 minutes to 'relax'.
