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.
Unlike the closed-door affair of massage parlours in Nairobi, these parlours offer open-air massages, taking advantage of the lake's natural hot water, which reaches temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius due to volcanic activity.
PHOTOS | DAVID KWALIMWA
Visitors can indulge in body massages, costing between 10,000 to 20,000 Rwanda Francs (approximately Ksh1,500 to Ksh2,500), while those with leg pains can soak in the hot water for 1,000 Rwanda Francs (approximately Ksh150).
These traditional masseurs claim to have the ability to treat back and muscle pains, and their services have attracted scores of 'patients', including elderly and pregnant women.
For an added experience, men can opt for a sauna-like treatment, where they are buried in warm sand for about 30 minutes to 'relax'.
