Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park found in North Eastern Rwanda at the country’s border with Tanzania is a unique African safari destination. The park was founded in 1934 and covers an area of 1,122 sq kilometers. It is named after the Kagera River, which flows into several lakes which include Lake Gishanju, Lake Ihema, Lake Mihindi, Lake Rwanyakizinga, and Lake Shakani that are both within and around the park. The savannah grasslands, waterbodies, forests, plains and rolling hills make the park very beautiful and scenic for safari adventures.
Akagera National Park provides the chance to see the Big Five which are lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhinos. Sightings of lions are not always guaranteed but can spot the exclusive leopards on night game drives.
Apart from the big five animals, there is plenty of wildlife to see like opi, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, hyenas, waterbuck, mongoose, eland, zebra, serval cats, duiker, impala, black masked civet, antelope, bush pigs, giraffe, klipspringer, side- striped jackal and Sitatunga antelopes. Among the primate species include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, bush babies and blue monkeys.
Akagera National Park also has amazing bird species that thrive in a range of habitats including the swamps, savannah plains and forests. During a boat safari, you might get a chance to spot the rare Shoebill stork and Papyrus Gonolek. Other species include open-billed storks crowned cranes, egrets, marabou storks, and herons among others.
Brief History About Akagera National Park.
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covered a much bigger area but was reduced over the years due to agricultural expansion and human settlement. In the 1990’s, the park suffered several challenges due to the Rwandan Civil War which included poaching, and encroachment which led to the significant decline in wildlife populations. However, in 2010, there was a partnership between Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Conservation Organization which led to the revitalization of Akagera.
This collaboration has led to the great recovery of the park including the reintroduction of wildlife species such as lions in 2015, black rhinos in 2017 and white rhinos introduced in 2021. Today, Akagera stands as a successful conservation with its recovering wildlife populations having grown from less than 5000 in 2010 to 12000 animals today and well managed landscapes to ensure preservation for future generations.
Popular Safaris of Akagera National Park
2 Day Akagera National Park Safari
3 Day Akagera National Park Safari
6 Day Double Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife viewing Safari
5 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife viewing Safari
6 Day Rwanda Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & wildlife viewing
What are the Major Attractions in Akagera National Park
- Big Five: Akagera National Park is the only place in Rwanda where you get to spot the Big five. With the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, conservation has been a success hence reviving the park’s ecosystem and making it a top destination for tourist enthusiasts.
- Lakes and Wetlands: The park is spread with a series of lakes and wetlands with Lake Ihema being the largest. These water bodies serve as habitats to the hippos, crocodiles and some bird species.
- Scenic Landscapes: Akagera has the most scenic landscapes. With the diverse terrain of rolling hills, vast savannahs, rich wetlands, and dense woodlands. The scenery provides breathtaking views at every turn whether you’re exploring by car or guided walk.
- Bird life: For birders, Akagera National Park is a great bird spotting destination with over 500 bird species. The bird species to look out for include the remarkable shoebill, papyrus Gonolek, Water Thick-knee, African Darter, Wattled Plover, African Open bill stock, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings and Grey crowned crane.
What Activities to do in Akagera National Park in Rwanda.
Below are the activities to do at Akagera National Park while on your trip to Rwanda. You will enjoy several activities on your long stay here. Contact us for a safari package to Akagera National Park.
Game Drives in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera are the most popular activities offering a chance to see a variety of wildlife especially the Big Five( elephants, buffalo, rhinos, lions and leopards). Game drives always begin in the morning as this is the best time to spot the leopards, hyenas and the lions. These predators are mostly active in the night and early morning and always tend to retreat when there’s too much heat. During game drives, you also get to take in the stunning scenery of the park as well as encounter other wildlife like zebras, giraffes, antelopes and primates.
You as well enjoy night game drives that are even more exciting and you stand a chance to see the nocturnal wildlife in the park.
Boat Cruise in Akagera
The perfect way to spend your afternoon in Akagera National Park is by taking a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Many animals seek shelter and others move to the water to cool off and drink as the day heats up so while on the boat cruise you get to explore a variety of aquatic life. While on the boat ride, you will also observe a variety of water birds, a school of hippos and crocodiles on the Lake shores.
Bird watching
Akagera National Park is an important and popular birding destination in Rwanda. Akagera offers an opportunity to birders to spot both the endangered species like the papyrus gonolek and shoebill and the easily spotted species like the weavers, egrets, kingfisher etc. Bird watching can be done while on a game drive, nature walks with a guide and boat safari on Lake Ihema.
Walk the Line
You get to spend your morning with a fence attendant who walks the 120km fence daily. The 7km walk follows the fence outside the park into the hills which ends on a ridge with amazing views all around.
Walking Safaris
Enjoy a unique walking safari guided by an experienced guide as you get closer to nature and the amazing landscape of Akagera National Park.
Sport Fishing
The park offers an opportunity to do sport fishing on Lake Shakani that is home to various fish species. To participate, you will need to book in advance with the park.
Cultural & Community Encounter near Akagera
Indulge yourself in the Rwandan culture and lifestyle in the cattle keeping communities around Akagera National Park. You’ll have an opportunity to observe or be a part of the cattle grazing, milking, and milk storage preservation. You can also get to experience the process of turning milk into other products such as yogurt, ghee and as well prepare a meal using these ingredients. This cultural experience offered by locals near the park provides them with an additional income source that supports both their agricultural livelihood and wildlife conservation.
When is the Best time to visit Akagera National Park Rwanda?
The ideal time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry season that runs from June to September and December to February. The weather is more predictable and stable during these months and the vegetation is dense making it easier to spot wildlife. The dry season is also favorable for game drives and boat safaris as animals always tend to gather around the water sources.
The wet season that runs from March to May and October to November offers vibrant landscapes and lush scenery but roads and trails become muddy making it difficult to traverse.
What to pack for your safari in Akagera National Park.
For you to have a great safari in Akagera National Park, you should consider packing appropriate clothing so as to have a comfortable tour while in Rwanda. Here are some of the things to consider on your packing list for your safari to Akagera National Park;
- Light clothes: Ensure to pack light clothes since the best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry months so as to enjoy your safari with the scorching sun while in the park.
- Insect repellant: Do not forget to pack a repellent to avoid any insect bites for example during nature walks near the swamp, you may encounter a lot of mosquitoes.
- Binoculars: These are to make it easier to see a variety of bird species while in the park.
- Camera: To be able to capture the incredible wildlife encounters and the amazing landscape sceneries.
- Safari hat: To protect you from the direct sunlight.
- Swimsuits: Just in case you want to swim while on your safari since most of the accommodations have swimming pools.
- Sunscreen: For protection from the sun especially for people with sensitive skin.
Is Akagera National Park safe for a safari?
In Akagera National Park, safety is guaranteed because before anyone enters the park they are first checked at the security checkpoint for any threats and after clearance to enter the park, there are park rangers within the park responsible for your protection. Get in touch with us.
How to get to Akagera National Park
There are so many ways to get to Akagera National Park which include;
By Road: The park can be accessed by road which takes up to 3 hours of driving on a well tarmacked road to reach the park from Kigali. However, travelers starting from Rwamagana or Kibungo are able to reach the park in about 1 hour. The road leading to the park entrance from the main road is a bit dusty but manageable for vehicles even in the rainy season but preferably 4*4 vehicles during the rainy season.
By Air: For a quick and more comfortable journey, charter flights are available from Kigali to Magashi and Akagera Game Lodge in the Akagera National Park. This is more convenient for travelers looking to save time or avoid the drive to Akagera National Park.
Contact us for more information.
Rules and Regulations to observe while on safari in Akagera National Park
- Visitors should stay inside the vehicle or car while on game drive inside Akagera National Park. Visitors should only get out of the car in designated areas like the lodge, camping or picnic grounds.
- Akagera National Park is open to tourists from 6 am to 6 pm and are advised to always leave the park by 6pm
- Do not litter the park. Always leave the park as clean as you found it and in case you want to throw some trash kindly use the trash bins that are always placed in your tour vehicles.
- Do not try to feed wildlife while at the lodge or during your game safari.
- The speed limit within Akagera National Park is limited to only 40km/hr. Try not to overspend as wildlife can run and cross the road anytime.
- Ensure to keep on the road tracks and not to go off track trying to look for wildlife.
- Do not smoke while in the park because you can start a fire.
Where to stay while on Safari in Akagera National Park
Choosing the best accommodation for your visit to Akagera National Park is very essential for a great safari experience. Whether you are looking for luxury, mid-range or budget-friendly options, here is a list of top lodging facilities in Akagera National Park that suit every traveler’s needs. Contact us.
Luxury Accommodation
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Situated along the shores of Lake Ihema, Ruzizi Tented lodge is an eco-lodge designed to blend in with its natural surroundings to allow guests to connect with nature. Hosting 20 guests, all tents are en suite and have shaded verandas set with camping chairs and a tree-trunk table. Features a central fire pit that offers a good setting for enjoying a morning coffee or evening tea beneath the stars. Ruzizi is an ideal choice for luxury travelers.
Magashi Camp
Magashi Camp features spacious tents with stylish furnishings and incredible views of Lake Rwanyakazinga. With its determination on conservation, Magashi camp provides exclusive experiences that include boat safaris, game drives and guided nature walks. Guests indulge in gourmet dining, relaxation by the pool, exceptional services in a wilderness setting.
Mid- Range Accommodations
Karenge Bush Camp
Karenge Bush camp offers mid-range accommodation in a rustic but yet comfortable setting. The camp has eco-friendly tents that provide a closer connection with nature while still offering essential amenities. Guests enjoy game drives, bird watching and the beautiful scenery of the bush.
Akagera Game Lodge
Akagera Game Lodge offers great comfortable accommodation with stunning views of Lake Ihema and the surrounding savannah. The lodge offers nice rooms, a swimming pool and a restaurant that serves a variety of amazing dishes. It is a perfect home base for exploring the conservation treasures of Akagera National Park.
Budget Accommodations
Akagera Rhino Lodge
Akagera Rhino Lodge is a budget friendly accommodation that offers essential amenities in a good setting. With it being conveniently located at the park’s entrance, the lodge makes it easier to access safari activities and is excellent for those looking to explore Akagera without having to spend a lot.
Why use Encounter Africa Safaris to organize your safari To Akagera National Park.
Encounter Africa Safaris has a great team that takes care of all your requests and inquiries. We are highly recommended for trip advisor and safari bookings. Our website is one of the best and reliable to help you start preparing for your safari as we have the best and updated information that you can rely on. Get in touch with us today.
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