Akagera National Park
The only savannah-themed national park in Rwanda is Akagera National Park. Many wild species, including some of the big five, find it a paradise. It is situated in the eastern part of the country. The park is about a 22-hour drive from Kigali and shares borders with Tanzania. You must include Akagera in your itinerary to experience a complete safari in Rwanda.
The magnificent gold-coloured park is situated in Rwanda’s eastern region, close to Tanzania’s border. The park is Rwanda’s largest protected area, with a total area of 1122 km2. A diverse ecosystem’s high biodiversity includes thickets, savannah forests, and marshes, among other habitats. The primary river Kagera that flows across the lake broadly divides it in half and is decorated with several streams of lakes, rivers, and swamps.
History of Akagera National Park
The gorgeous Kagera River, which feeds the eastern boundary and empties into lakes like Lake Ihema, is the source of this fantastic Akagera’s name. One of Africa’s oldest parks was established in 1934 to preserve the flora and fauna of the three savannah, mountain, and swamp ecoregions.
Former refugees who fled the Genocide and later returned recently lived in the park’s largest savannah area. The western boundary was later gazetted in 1997 as a result of the problem of land scarcity. A significant portion of the park area was also set aside to create crops for the refugees fleeing the genocide. The wealthiest, most diverse, and most picturesque scenery in Africa is found in the remaining savannah.
Over one-third of the park is made up of papyrus wetlands, which are connected by a network of lakes in the park. The park’s dramatic space is formed by the savannah, home to the most significant number of animals.
What time of year is ideal for visiting Akagera National Park?
Any time of the year is an excellent time to visit Akagera National Park for any activity, but some months are preferable to others. Most of the park’s activities, which occur between June and September and December and February, are best enjoyed during the dry season when visiting Akagera. The months have little to no rainfall, which keeps the game trucks dry; short foliage, which allows for clear views of the park animals; and passable roads leading to the park.
The rainy season lasts from March to May and October to November and does not prevent tourists from visiting the park. Still, there is much rain during this time, making the game trucks slick and muddy, the vegetation always tall and obscuring views of the animals, and the roads leading to the park impassable. However, Visitors to Akagera National Park during the rainy season receive substantial discounts on lodging options.
Accessing Akagera National Park
One of Rwanda’s four national parks, Akagera National Park, has a total land area of 1,112 km2. The national park is situated in Runyonza, in the country’s northeast, close to the Tanzanian border. The driving guide from the business you used will be waiting to pick you up and transport you to the park once you fly to Kigali International Airport to tour the park. Furthermore, you will go through Rwamagana, Kayonza, Kabarondo, and Rwinkwavu on your way to the northeastern region of Rwanda from Kigali International Airport. There, you will discover a signpost pointing you toward Akagera National Park, which is 13 kilometres away.
Activities for adventure in Akagera National Park
Game drives for animals
The hottest adventure sports in Africa Without visiting Akagera National Park, a trip to Rwanda is deemed insufficient. Game drives are the most rewarding outdoor pursuits with the broadest range of species. Over the past few years, the park has seen an increase in animals. Recent renovations show that the park can house roughly 8,000 giant animals.
Over 19 lions and 18 black rhinos were reintroduced in the park in 2017. On a lucky game drive, leopards may occasionally be seen. In the middle of many other species, even the massive backup of elephants and buffaloes includes the big animals known as the “Big Five.”
Large groups of various wildlife can be seen in other parts of the magnificent little Akagera National Park. Burchell’s zebras, giraffes, impalas, and topics are among the frequently visited animals, along with bushbucks, elands, African swallows, velvet monkeys, baboons, warthogs, mongooses, hippos, crocodiles, and even elephants. Other mammals include buffalos, sable and roan antelopes, reedbucks, oribi, Defassa waterbucks, and more.
In Akagera National Park, a game drive is typically conducted from south to north. From the mountain’s summit, one can see Tanzania over Lake Ihema and take in the stunning park flora.
Safari by the boat launch
The motorised engine boats that travel along the Lake Ihema drainage system are an incredible experience. You may anticipate viewing dozens of hippos and crocodiles from your ship at exciting moments. Nevertheless, many terrestrial mammals, water, and bird species may be seen clearly throughout the game drive, including antelopes, elephants, and buffalo gathered on the lake’s edge to drink.
Game drives at night
The supervision of park rangers on lights, with at least two participants. The best time to see leopards actively hunting is during a night game drive. When all the daytime animals have resorted to sleeping, it is the predators’ turn to observe them. Meanwhile, On a lucky day, you might even glimpse a leopard actively hunting. Hyenas and leopards are among the creatures that are most likely to be spotted.
Bird watching
The marshes, savannahs, thickets, and papyrus are considerably more suitable habitats for larger animals. A well-known adventure at Akagera is birding. —the enormous variety and profusion of species in Akagera astound bird aficionados.
There are 500 different bird species known to exist in the park. The endangered Papyrus gonolek, which is only found in papyrus swamps, is one of the rare birds seen here. The stunning lilac-breasted roller, black-headed gone, grey hornbill, Ross’s turaco, crested barbet, red-faced barbet, swamp flycatcher, and many others are among the other species. The southern region is better for birding than the northern region. Which is suitable for larger fauna and has a remarkable variety of birds and butterflies.
Where should I stay on a safari in Akagera National Park?
There are many different lodging alternatives in Akagera National Park, some located inside the park and others outside. Deciding where to stay depends on your budget because there are possibilities for every price range, from affordable to luxurious. Magashi Safari Camp, Karenge Bush Camp, Magashi Tented Camp, Akarenge Game Lodge, Akagera Resort and Country Club, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Vintage Cottage, and Nyagasambu Realm Beach Hotel are just a few of the lodging options in and around Akagera National Park.