Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park in Rwanda is one of the most visited Rwanda national parks by almost all travellers who visit Rwanda. Akagera is found in the eastern part of Rwanda, and covers about 2500 square kilometres. Akagera National Park is mainly composed of savannah grassland, thereby being a perfect place for game viewing in Rwanda. Akagera River which flows through the park along the Rwanda border with Tanzania is where the park got its name.

Akagera has a typical African savannah landscape with acacia and bush, open grassland and a number of swampy lakes. Akagera National Park is the only savannah national Park in Rwanda and therefore the only place to enjoy game drives to see the African wild game.

Animals in Akagera

Akagera is home to a variety of wild animals, including among others buffaloes, elephants, zebras, leopards, hyenas, lions, giraffes, various antelope species including topis, oribis, roan antelopes, duikers and bushbucks, impalas, cape elands, and large schools of hippos and crocodiles in or busking near Lake Ihema. Primate species like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, bush babies, and a number of nocturnal animals are a common sight during night game drives in Akagera.

Birds in Akagera National Park

The Park is home to over 500 bird species, thereby making the park an important birding area in Rwanda. Bird species like the African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Shoebill stork, Senegal Lapwings, Grey-crowned Crane, African Darter, Fish eagles, Cattle Egret, Augur Buzzard, Hamerkop, Long-crested eagle and so much more are some of the bird species in Akagera that you may spot while in the park.

Activities in Akagera National Park

Game Drives

Game drives in Akagera are a great way to spot various wild game in the park. Game drives in Akagera National Park can be done all throughout the day, with the early morning and evening game droves being the most rewarding. Night game drives are however the best to do if interested in spotting the night predators like leopards and hyenas. In the afternoon, most wild game go into hiding in the bid to keep away from the hot sun. You shall enjoy the landscape as well as spot various wild game like elephants, buffaloes and others during game drives in Akagera.

Bird watching

Bird watching in Akagera is an activity that shall leave any bird watcher fully satisfied. With over 500 bird species in Akagera National Park, birders are sure to spot a variety of bird species, up to 100 species per day. Bird watching can be done during game drives, boat safaris, or even nature walks in Akagera National Park. Birders are encouraged to go bird watching in Akagera National Park in the company of a bird guide, as well as have a good pair of binoculars.

Boat safaris

Boat safaris in Akagera can be done on Lake Ihema. A boat safari is a great way to spend one’s afternoon, or evening where one would have great views of the sunset. Boat safari in the afternoon is a great opportunity to spot a variety of wild game as they come for a drink to quench their thirst, as well as birds especially water birds and water animals like hippos and crocodiles. Whereas there are scheduled boat safaris, there is an opportunity for one to have a private boat safari that would set off at one’s bidding.

Sportfishing

Akagera offers sport fishing activities, on Lake Shakani. One is however required to make a booking to be allowed to do sport fishing on Lake Shakani in Akagera.

Cultural encounters

While visiting Akagera, travellers can have cultural encounters in communities just outside the park. Travellers have an opportunity to take part in a number of activities that are done by the locals say cattle grazing, milking a cow, process milk in yoghurt or ghee locally, among so many others. Cultural encounters are a great way to learn of the locals’ way of life, quite different from your own.

Best time to visit Akagera

Akagera can be visited all year round, depending on one’s travel schedule. The best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry season, when the roads are easily passable, and the wild game do converge in the few available water pools, thereby giving one a great opportunity to spot more wildlife. It is however during the wet season that it is best to visit for birding activities, for there are more bird species out then as well as a number of migratory birds. Whichever activity you have on your mind most, visit Rwanda and head out to Akagera National Park to enjoy the best time of your life.

How to get to Akagera National Park

The Park can be reached by both air and road. By road, a drive from Kigali through Rwamagana to the southern gate of Akagera National Park can take about 2 hours only. By air, services of Akagera Aviation are available, at an extra cost.

Accommodation in Akagera

Accommodation in Akagera are in rangers and therefor fit different travellers’ budgets. Some of the accommodation in Akagera that one may choose from include Magashi Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, among others.