Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda, has 2500 square kilometers of mostly Savannah terrain. The park takes its name from the Kagera River, which flows along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. Lake Ihema and several smaller water bodies in and around the park are fed by the river.
The park preserves an acacia and shrub environment with sections of open savanna grassland and a dozen marshy lakes typical of the African Savannah. The park has a high degree of biodiversity and is part of a huge protected wetland. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s sole Savannah national park and the only area to see the majority of the large species when on safari.
Top experiences
rich wildlife tour
variety of big game
wide range of tourist activities
Attractions in Akagera National Park
Wildlife
Elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, hyenas, and lions may all be found in Akagera National Park. It is home to a variety of antelopes, including bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, waterbuck, roan antelope and duiker, klipspringer, impala, and the world’s biggest antelope, the Cape eland. Hippos and crocodiles may be seen lounging in the sun near Lake Ihema. Olive Vervet monkeys, baboons, blue monkeys, and bush babies are common primates in Akagera National Park and may often be observed during night drives.
Â
Birds
The Akagera National Park contains a diverse range of ecosystems that give excellent habitats for over 500 bird species. The magnificent shoebill, African Wattled Plover, Grey Crowned Crane, Senegal Lapwings, papyrus Gonolek, Giant Kingfisher, Squacco Herons, Open bill stock, African Darter, Long-toed and Water Thick-knee are among the bird species to look out for. Fish eagles, Egrets, Augur Buzzard, Hamerkop, Sacred Ibis, Long-crested Eagle, and Pied Crow are among the other bird species that are likely to be encountered. Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird, and Caruther’s Cisticola, as well as Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers can be seen during your morning and evening game drives in the park.
Activities in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Game drives at Akagera National Park begin early in the morning in pursuit of leopards, hyenas, and the reintroduced lions. This is because predators prefer to hunt at night or early in the morning and typically go into hiding when the sun heats up. Along with the predators, take in the surroundings and other large mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. The environment and magnificent wildflowers will provide superb photographic opportunities for the interested photographer.
Night game drives are also conducted by park officials, i.e. the Akagera management business. These typically run for around 2 hours, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at about 8.30 p.m. You will have a flashlight to assist you in viewing the many night wildlife. You could get a chance to see leopards or lions while they hunt.
Bird watching
In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a renowned and important birding destination. Bird watchers will like visiting Akagera National Park since it allows them to see both endangered bird species such as the papyrus gonolek and the shoebill as well as more common species such as weavers, egrets, and various Kingfishers. Birding is done on game drives, nature walks with a ranger, and boat safaris on Lake Ihema. Birding on Lake Ihema allows you to witness aquatic species that you would not see on a game drive on the Savannah grassland. Overall, we encourage birding at Akagera National Park because of the diversity and convenience with which you may view the variety of bird species.
Lake Ihema boat safari
A boat trip on Lake Ihema is the perfect way to spend a day in Akagera National Park. Because of the heat from the sun, most animals are hiding in the shade, while others go to the lake to cool down and drink. Along with a variety of water birds, you will see schools of hippos in the water and crocodiles on the lake’s shoreline. There are regular boat excursions that take place during the day, but one may also organize a private unscheduled boat ride at their leisure.
Sport fishing
On Lake Shakani, the park provides sport fishing opportunities. For sport fishing on this lake, you must obtain a reservation with the park. Even though the expectation is to catch and release, you are allowed to keep one catch for supper if you like.
Cultural excursions in the vicinity of Akagera National Park
Experience rural Rwandan life near Akagera National Park’s cattle herding settlements. You may see and/or participate in traditional cow grazing, milking, and milk storage in calabashes for preservation. You will then go through the process of transforming milk into various products such as traditional yogurt and ghee, and finally participate in the preparation of a dinner using some of the milk products’ ingredients. This is a real cultural experience by the villagers who live near the park, and they may supplement their agricultural income with it. This eventually benefits conservation culture and the game in the park.
Accommodation in Akagera National Park
Akagera Game Lodge
Akagera game lodge is an outstanding safari accommodation located in the Northeastern part of Akagera national park. The game lodge is strategically positioned and easily accessible from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. While staying at Akagera Game Lodge, you will have fantastic views of Lake Ihema, which is a huge and attractive feature in the park with marshy vegetation and various bird species such as the shoe bill stork and many more. While staying at this lodge, you may also enjoy distinct views of the park’s gorgeous topography, which includes valleys, hills, and mashes.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Ruzizi tented lodge is a luxury lodge that offers a touch of elegance. Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a luxury eco-camp located at the shore of the gorgeous Lake Ihema in the center of a riverine forest filled with swinging fig trees. The Ruzizi tented lodge, which opened in January 2014, is located within the park and invites you into the bush, allowing you a connection with nature since it is surrounded by lovely trees that were not harmed during construction.
Magashi camp
Magashi camp is a newly built premium camping lodging facility that opened in early 2019. It is located in the extreme north of Akagera National Park, facing Lake Rwanyakazinga. This lodging facility has 6 safari tents with wonderful modern touches and fashionable objects such as wooden tables and modern décor. The tents are spacious and have a dressing area with baggage storage, coffee-making facilities, a mini-safe, a complimentary mini-bar, a writing desk and chair, an en-suite bathroom, and pedestal fans.
Karenge Bush Camp
Karenge bush camp is an incredible ecological accommodation facility. Karenge bush camp gets its name from the Kinyarwanda term Karenge, which means “footprint.” The camp provides a romantic intimate wilderness experience with 6 canvas tents that can accommodate a maximum of 12 people. Each tent has two camp beds, chairs, reed mat flooring, and solar lighting for reading. Each tent has its own outdoor bathroom with bucket showers, toilets, and cancan basins with warm water.
How to Get to the National Park of Akagera
You may travel from Kigali to Akagera National Park through Rwamagana town (entry is only through the southern gate). The northern gate is now exclusively used for leaving). The travel to the park entrance takes around 2 hours. Those who do not want to drive the two hours can fly to the park using the Akagera Aviation services.
Best time to visit Akagera National Park
The dry season, which runs from June to September, is the optimum time for travelers to explore Akagera National Park. The park’s climate does not fluctuate significantly throughout the year. However, visitors may notice higher temperatures during the lengthy dry season. Similarly, during the rainy season, tourists would enjoy colder weather in the park. The temperature at Akagera National Park ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.