Akagera national park found in eastern Rwanda is a 2500 sq km
of mainly Savannah land. The park is
named after Kagera River that flows along Rwanda’s eastern boundary with
Tanzania. The river feeds into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes in and around
the park.
The park protects an African Savannah landscape of acacia and
bush with patches of open grassland and a dozen swampy lakes. It has
exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms a large protected wetland. Akagera
national park is the only Savannah national park in Rwanda and the only place
to sight most of the large mammals while on safari. Whereas there are forest
elephants in the other parks, it is very difficult to sight them. Explore the
park in the comfort of your safari vehicle while on a game drive.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is home to a variety of wildlife which
include, elephants, buffalos, giraffe, zebras, leopards, hyenas, lions. It is
home to several antelopes like bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, water-buck, roan
antelope and duiker, klipspringer, impala and world largest antelope – the Cape
eland.
You can watch schools of hippos and crocodiles basking in the
sun near lake Ihema. The common primates in Akagera national park are olive baboons,
Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and bush babies who are often seen on night
drives.
Birds in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park has a wide variety of habitats which
provide great habitat for 500 bird
species. The bird species to look out for include the remarkable shoebill,
papyrus Gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings,
Squacco Herons, African Open bill stock, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter,
Long-toed and Water Thick-knee.
More bird species likely to encounter are, fish eagles, Cattle
Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and
Pied Crow. Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals,
Fan-tailed Widowbird and Caruther’s Cisticola.
Activities in Akagera national park
Game drives in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera national park are done in safari
vehicles starting early morning in search of the leopards, hyenas, and the
re-introduced lions. This is because the predators prefer to hunt at night or
early morning and usually go into hiding as the heat from the sun increases.
Along the carnivores, enjoy the scenery of this beautiful park and several othe
big mammals like Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Zebra and Giraffes. The
landscape and beautiful wild floweres will make for good pictures for the
interested photographer.
Bird watching in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is a popular and Important birding area
in Rwanda. Bird watching enthusiasts will find birding Akagera national park
rewarding as it offers birders opportunities to sight both the endangered bird
species like papyrus gonolek and shoebill and the more easily sighted species
like weavers, egrets and several Kingfishers. Birding is done while on a game
drive, nature walk with a ranger guide and on a boat safari on Lake Ihema.
Birding on lake Ihema will accord one the pleasure of water species which are
otherwise not seen while on the game drive in the Savannah grassland. Overall
we highly recommend birding Akagera national park for both variety and the ease
with which you see the birds.
Boat safari on Lake Ihema in Akagera national park
The best way to spend an afternoon in Akagera national park is
to take a boat ride on Lake Ihema. Most animals are hiding under shade because
of the heat from the sun as others come to the water for cooling off and
drinking. In addition to a variety of water birds, you will watch schools of
hippos in the water and crocodiles by the shores of the lake. There are
scheduled boat trips which happen during the day but one can book for a private
unscheduled boat trip at their own timing.
Sport fishing in Akagera national park
The park offers an opportunity of sport fishing on Lake
Shakani. You are required to make a booking with the park for sport fishing on
this lake. Even though the expectation is catch and release, you are given an
opportunity to take one catch for a meal if interested.
Cultural tours near Akagera National Park
Experience the rural Rwandan life around the cattle keeping
communities near Akagera national park. You have opportunity to observe and or
participate in traditional cattle grazing, milking, traditional milk storage in
calabashes for preservation. You then go through the process of converting milk
into different products like traditional yogurt, ghee and lastly take part in
preparing a meal with some of the ingredients from the milk products. This is
an authentic cultural experience shared by the locals living adjacent to the
park, they get to earn from this supplementing their agricultural income. This
eventually contributes to conservation culture and wild animals in the park.
How to get to Akagera national park
You can drive from Kigali through Rwamagana town to Akagera
national park (entrance is only through southern gate. Northern gate is
currently used only for exit). The journey takes a total of about 2 hours to
arrive at the park entrance.
There is an option of flying to the park using the services of
Akagera Aviation for those not keen on the 2 hour drive.
Safari lodges and camps in Akagera national park
Magashi Lodge
Ruzizi Tented Camp
Karenge Bush Camp ( Seasonal)
Akagera game lodge
