Akagera National Park
As the only haven for savannah wildlife in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the best place to visit in this land of a thousand hills for game safaris. Akagera is located in northeastern Rwanda long the border with Tanzania, spanning kilometers and is characterized by diverse landscapes, dominated by savannah, montane forests and extensive wetlands.
Akagera National Park is the largest protected wetland in Africa. Note that over a third of the park’s area is covered by lakes and papyrus. The park gets its name from for River Akagera, which flows through the park and feeds in Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes.
History of Akagera National Park
Akagera was established in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government purposely to protect the region’s wildlife and increasing threats to this habitat. Historically, Akagera was a sanctuary to a rich variety of wildlife including the “Big Five”, lions, leopards, rhinoceros and buffaloes. However, due to the several challenges it has fenced due to tremendous poaching and habitat loss. Many species drastically declines by the late 20th Century, for example Africa Wild dogs were last seen in 1984 following a disease outbreak and the black white rhinos were last sighted in 2007. In the recent years, conservation efforts have resulted into the reintroduction of lions and black rhinos into the park, restoring its status as a vital wildlife refuge.
Today, Akagera National Park is ranked among the best places to visit for wildlife viewing in Africa. Akagera’s management focused on enhancing security measures and promoting sustainable tourism to support conservation efforts, these efforts include partnerships with organizations like African Parks to improve infrastructures and grow the visit numbers in the park. The on-going conservation efforts have not only protected the park’s biodiversity but also ensure that it becomes economically self-sustaining through tourism revenue.
While on an African Safari, Akagera National Park is among the top destinations to visit if you are looking for a off-the-beaten track experience and a classic Africa wildlife experience.
Tourist Attractions in Akagera National Park
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park supports more than 13,000 animals including the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos “Akagera is the only place in Rwanda where you can see the Big Five”
The park is also home to several antelope species such as bushbucks, roan antelopes, Sitatunga, klipspringers, bushbucks, elands, impals and topis, several primate species like olive baboons and vervet monkeys, and a huge population of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Bush pigs, Serval cats, Zebras and Masai giraffes are also common.
Birdlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a birder’s paradise, boasting over 520 bird species including the prehistoric shoebill stork, 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, 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 among others.
Rwanda Safari Activities to do in Akagera National Park
Game Drives
Game viewing is the main and most popular Rwanda safari experience in Akagera National Park, Akagera is the only Big Five reserve in Rwanda meaning it is possible to spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos in a single safari. Game drives in Akagera are done both or night, allowing visitors to explore the park’s rich biodiversity including the iconic wildlife. They are offered as morning game drive, afternoon game drive and night game drives.
During these thrilling game drives, visitors can expect to see a variety of species including Africa elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, black rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope’s species like impalas among others.
The night game drives in Akagera National Park, visitors get a chance nocturnal animals such as lions using spotlight torches.
Birding
With its diverse habitats, Akagera National Park is an incredible destination for birding in Rwanda, there are over 500 different species recorded with the park including many range-restricted and sought-after specials such as the red-faced barbet, the white collared oliveback and other Carruther’s cisticola. The papyrus gonolek and the pre-historical looking shoebill stork , both living in the papyrus swamps around the park. Supr
Other wildlife species to look out for on a birding safari in Akagera National Park include Amur falcon, Grasshopper buzzard, Lesser jacana, Lesser moorhen, Marsh owl, Marsh tchagra, Martial eagle, Moustached grass-warbler, Northern brown-throated weaver, Papyrus gonolek, Pennant-winged nightjar, Red-faced barbet, Red-winged francolin, Ring-necked francolin, Ross’s turaco, Ruaha chat, Rufous-bellied heron, Semi-collared flycatcher, Shelley’s francolin, Shoebill, Short-tailed pipit, Slate-coloured boubou, Slender-billed weaver, Sooty falcon, Souza’s shrike, Striped pipit, Tabora cisticola, Western reef heron, White-winged swamp warbler, Yellow-bellied eremomela and Yellow-throated leaf-love among others
Best time for birding in Akagera National Park is during early morning and late afternoon.
Boat Safaris
Boat safaris in Akagera National Park are primarily done on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in Akagera National Park. The boat safari offers a unique perspective of viewing wildlife in Akagera, visitors get to observe hippos, crocodiles and numerous bird species up close such as crested cranes, herons among others.
Also, boat rides offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including lush papyrus swamps, forested shorelines and open waters teeming with wildlife such as buffaloes and elephants which come to drink and cool-off.
Boat trips in Akagera National Park are offered in four schedules (sessions) each day that is Morning: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM, Morning: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Afternoon: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Sunset Cruise: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. Each session lasts about one hour.
Sport Fishing
Sport Fishing is a great experience for visitors seeking for more adventure and they are done on Lake Shakani, the only place in Rwanda where this experience is possible. This experienced is mixed with a thrill of fishing with the opportunity to learn about local fishing methods and enjoying Akagera’s natural beauty.
The most common fish species to expect to catch include tilapia and catfish which are abundant in Lake Shakani. Fishing methods which visitors can take part in include Gill Net Method, Cast Net Method, Scoop Net Method, Spearing and shooting and Lampara methods. Visitors also have the chance to engage with local fishermen who share fascinating stories, songs and traditional tales.
How to Get to Akagera National Park
Kigali International Airport is the main gateway to Rwanda for most visitors, located on the outskirts of the capital city – Kigali. Akagera National Park is approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Kigali by vehicle. By road option you can either hire a vehicle or a company vehicle which comes with a vehicle arranged through your tour operator.
By air – it is possible to fly from Kigali to Akagera National Park by private helicopter arranged they Akagera Aviation, which operates through Rwanda.
Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a year round destination, however the dry season is generally the best time to visit for best wildlife viewing and accessibility. The dry season is from June to Early September and December to February, in this season animals are easy to see as they congregate around water sources, making it easy to spot them. Also, the vegetation is shorter, thus providing clear views of wildlife.
The Wet Season in Akagera National Park, from March to May and Late September to November. In this season the park transforms into a vibrant green landscape, creating stunning views and picturesque landscape. This is the best time for birding as migratory bird species arrive in the park from Europe and northern Africa.
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