Akagera National Park
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK – RWANDA
Akagera national park: Akagera national park is one of the most beautiful and the only visited savanna park in Rwanda the land of a thousand hills where one is in position to spot the big 5 game while on a Rwanda safari. Akagera national park is situated in Eastern part of Rwanda in border with Tanzania and was named after River Akagera which traverses the park to Lake Ihema. Akagera national park was first gazette under the Belgium leadership in 1934 but currently, it is managed by the Rwanda Development Board. Akagera national park thrills with the best vegetation cover suitable for nature lover to spend time exploring the best of this savanna park that harbors plenty of fauna and flora species including the big 5 game, primates, birds, and many more that call Akagera national park their home.
Wildlife of Akagera national park
Akagera national park thrill with several species of wildlife that thrill in its ever green savanna vegetation cover that thrills with rivers, Lakes and thrilling blush. Below are some of the wildlife to look out for while on a safari to Akagera national park.
Akagera national park is a home to different primate species including Vervet monkeys, Olive baboons, Red tailed monkey and many more. It also harbors mammals including Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Giraffes, Sitatungas, Impalas, Topis, and many more thus this the place to spot all the big 5 game. Akagera national park is yet a home to several species of birds including water birds, endemic species to Albertine, forest birds, and raptor birds all thrilling in this stunning savanna of Akagera national park.
Tourist activities done in Akagera national park
Here are some of the tourist activities enjoyed in Akagera national park
Game drive in Akagera national park
Like any other savanna park, Akagera national park is one of the place to go for your breath taking game drive safaris. So most of the Itineraries to Akagera national park are basically for game drive safaris and other activities come later like boot cruise , birding , nature walks etc. Game drive safaris in Akagera national park include both day and nocturnal game drives depending on what one wishes to spot. During the day game drive, tourists are rewarded with stunning views of the beautiful park with lots of animals including primates like Olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and many others, mammals including the big 5 game and other small animals that are seen grazing on fresh vegetation and other hunting. However, nocturnal game drive is as well a thrilling and memorable activity that enables one to have a glance at the night hunters and other animals that become active when the sun goes down in the dark. Look out for Hyenas, Leopards, Lions, Bush babies and many more.
Boat cruise in Akagera national park
Apart from game drive, Akagera national park is yet a lace to go for a boat cruise safari. This activity is conducted along Lake Ihema where tourists are in position to enjoy a view of several animals along the lake shores especially during the afternoon boat cruise as animals are seen congesting at the lake to quench their thirst. There is yet a chance to spot water birds while on a boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Birding and bird watching in Akagera national park
Akagera national park is a home to over 500 species of birding thus birding and bird watching is part of the top thing to do while on a Rwanda safari to Akagera national park. However, most tourists usually combine birding with other tourist activities like game drives and boat cruise. Some of the species of birds to look out for during birding in Akagera national park include Goliath Heron, African Jacana, Little Bee-eater, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Grey-crowned Crane, Grey-backed Fiscal, Squacco Heron, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Cattle Egret, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Saddle-billed Stork, Spur-winged Goose, Lappet-faced Vulture, African Fish Eagle, African Grey Hornbill, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Marabou Stork and many more.
Sport fishing in Akagera national park
Akagera National Park has a designated sport fishing ground at Lake Shakani where tourists are in position to participate in catch and release though at the end of the adventure tourists are allowed to carry at least one catch for enjoyment. While enjoying sport fishing, tourists have a lot of other thing to look out for such as animals that visit the lake like Hippos, Elephants, Buffaloes and many aquatic wildlife.
Getting there
Getting to Akagera National Park is either by road or by air.
From Kigali, a road drive from the capital city of Rwanda to Akagera National Park takes about 3 hours.
From Rwamagana, the driving distance to Akagera National Park is about 1 hour.
One may choose to use private means of transport or public means depending on one’s choice. For private means, you may decide to hire own vehicle from Kigali or Rwamagana or opt for a tour operator to handle everything including transportation and accommodation.
For those who wish to use public means, there are buses that leave Kigali to Kibungo after which one needs to hire either a taxi or a bike direct to the park.
By Air, Akagera Aviation offers flights on daily basis to take clients from Kigali to Akagera National Park for different park activities.
