Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is in eastern Rwanda and covers 2500 square kilometers of mainly savannah land. It is named after the Kagera River which flows along Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania. The river feeds into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes in and around the park.

The park protects a beautiful African savannah landscape with acacia trees and bushes, patches of open grassland and many swampy lakes. It has high levels of biodiversity and is a large, protected wetland. Akagera National Park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda and the only place in the country where you can see most of the large mammals on a safari. Although there are forest elephants in other parks, they are very hard to spot. You can explore the park in your safari vehicle during a game drive.

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Wildlife in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is home to a variety of animals. You can find elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, leopards, hyenas and lions. Several types of antelopes live here including bushbucks, topis, oribis, waterbucks, roan antelopes, duikers, klipspringers, impalas and the Cape eland (world’s largest antelope).

You can also see hippos and crocodiles basking in the sun near Lake Ihema. Common primates in the park include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and bush babies which are often seen on night drives.

Birds in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park has a variety of habitats that are home to 500 bird species. Some of the notable birds to look out for are the shoebill, papyrus gonolek, African wattled plover, giant kingfisher, Senegal lapwing, squacco heron, African openbill stork, grey crowned crane, African darter, long-toed lapwing, and water thick-knee.

You can also see fish eagles, cattle egrets, hamerkops, sacred ibis, hadada ibis, augur buzzards, long-crested eagles, and pied crows. Other birds include black-headed weavers, Viellot’s black weavers, grey-backed fiscals, fan-tailed widowbirds and Caruther’s cisticola.

Akagera National Park offers a rich and diverse experience for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. With its unique landscapes and variety of animal and bird species, it is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Rwanda.

Activities in Akagera National Park

Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Game drives in Akagera National Park are done in safari vehicles usually starting early in the morning. This is the best time to see leopards, hyenas and the re-introduced lions as these predators prefer to hunt at night or early in the morning. As the day gets hotter, they usually hide. During the game drive you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery and see other large mammals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. The landscape and wildflowers offer great photo opportunities for those who love photography.

Night game drives are also available, conducted by the Akagera Management Company. These drives usually last about two hours, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. You will have a spotlight to help you see different nocturnal animals. You might spot leopards hunting or even lions.

Bird Watching in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is a popular bird-watching destination in Rwanda. Bird enthusiasts will find it rewarding as they can see both endangered bird species like the papyrus gonolek and shoebill as well as more common species like weavers, egrets and various kingfishers. Bird watching can be done during a game drive, a nature walk with a ranger guide or a boat safari on Lake Ihema. The boat safari offers the chance to see water birds that you might not see while driving through the savannah grassland. Overall, bird watching in Akagera National Park is highly recommended for its variety and the ease with which you can see the birds.

Boat Safari on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Akagera National Park is by taking a boat ride on Lake Ihema. During the afternoon, many animals hide under shade due to the heat while others come to the water to cool off and drink. On the boat safari, you can see various water birds, hippos in the water and crocodiles on the shores. There are scheduled boat trips during the day but you can also book a private boat trip at a time that suits you.

Sport Fishing in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park offers sport fishing on Lake Shakani. To go sport fishing, you need to book with the park. Even though the general rule is catch and release, you are allowed to take one catch for a meal if you wish.

Cultural Tours near Akagera National Park

You can experience rural Rwandan life around the cattle-keeping communities near Akagera National Park. These tours give you the chance to observe or participate in traditional cattle grazing, milking and traditional milk storage in calabashes for preservation. You can also learn how to convert milk into different products. These products include traditional yogurt and ghee and take part in preparing a meal using these milk products. This authentic cultural experience is shared by locals living near the park. They earn additional income from these tours which helps support their agricultural activities. This, in turn contributes to a conservation culture and helps protect the wild animals in the park.

Akagera National Park offers a range of activities that allow visitors to experience its rich wildlife, diverse bird species and local culture. Whether you’re on a game drive, a boat safari or a cultural tour, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park

You can go on a safari in Akagera National Park any time of the year. As the park is open every day including weekends and public holidays. However, most visitors prefer to visit during the dry season.

The rainy season which occurs in March and April can make the roads difficult to pass through. The best time to visit Akagera National Park is between December and February. During this period, the rains have stopped but the park is still green from the previous rainy season. Many of the waterholes dry up causing animals to gather around the remaining pools.This makes it easy to spot them.

Keep in mind that some visitors may find the hot temperatures and dusty roads during this time challenging. Despite this, December to February remains ideal for a safari in Akagera National Park due to the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

How to Access Akagera National Park

To get to Akagera National Park from Kigali, you can drive through Rwamagana town. The drive takes about two hours to reach the park entrance which is only accessible through the southern gate. The northern gate is currently used only for exiting the park.

If you prefer not to drive, you can fly to the park using Akagera Aviation. This is a convenient option for those who do not want to spend two hours driving. Whether you choose to drive or fly, visiting Akagera National Park is easy. It offers a chance to see Rwanda’s beautiful wildlife and landscapes.

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