Akagera National Park
AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Akagera National Park in Eastern Rwanda is a wilderness in every sense of the word, with its local residents being the big five animals, antelopes, giraffes and plethora of bird species. While the other three National Parks of Rwanda are mainly forested, Akagera National Park is primarily savannah-based and therefore if you are looking for the chance to experience a real African wilderness thrill then this is the best place to be.
Location and Size of Akagera National Park
Being the largest National Park in Rwanda, Akagera National Park covers an area of about 112,200 hectares, comprising of mainly savannah grasslands, wetlands, the montane and woodland landscapes, to mention but a few. This Protected Area is a chock-full of jaw-dropping Lakes, interlinking Papyrus wetlands that are haven to some of the country’s healthiest populations of lions, Rhinos, Masai giraffes, leopards, Cape buffaloes and so much more.
History of Akagera National Park
Gazetted in 1934 and named after the Kagera River, this beautiful National Park protects what is left of the numerous animals that once roamed through its landscape in the 1980s before becoming extinct.
At the time it was established into a Protected Area, Akagera National Park boasted of an area of about 250,000 hectares but years of encroachment and animal grazing reduced its landscape to the current size, but still the largest in the country. Primarily savannah ecosystem with patches of acacia species and bush lands, open grassland as well as a number of swamp-fringed Lakes form its landscape.
When it comes to countless conservation challenges, Akagera National Park wasn’t spared in the past with peaks of encroachment into its boundaries, illegal hunting for bushmeat and political instabilities being the drawbacks. However, there is a ray of light as the Rwandan Government together with Regional and International Conservation Agencies is working towards the total restoration of this once vibrant safari destination to its former glory. For this reason, a number of animals that once existed such as lions, Rhinoceros and Masai giraffes have been re-introduced thus we can authoritatively say that Akagera National Park is a big five destination.
What to see in the spectacular Akagera National Park
Wildlife
One thing that will take your breath away in Akagera National Park is its diverse ecosystems marked by woodlands, savannah plains, rolling hills, wetland-fringed Lakes and forest. Thanks to these diverse ecosystems that travellers can spot Eastern black Rhinoceros, Masai giraffes, African bush elephants, Bohor reedbucks, Cape buffaloes, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Caracals, spotted hyenas, Roan antelopes, Duikers, common warthogs, giant elands, bushbucks, mongoose, side-striped jackals, olive baboons, Klipspringer, Topis, blue monkeys, Grant’s zebras, Hippos, Defassa waterbucks, serval cats, to mention but a few.
Wide array of Bird Species
Akagera National Park has the highest concentration of birds in Rwanda with over 500 recorded species that live in the savannah grasslands, emerald Lakes, verdant forest and lush wetlands. Anyone that calls this Park a birder’s Paradise isn’t wrong because red-faced barbets, Senegal Lapwings, African wattled plovers, Red-faced barbets, African fish eagles, grey-crowned cranes, Crested barbets, African harrier hawks, African Jacana, Long-crested Eagles, grey-backed Fiscals, shoebill storks, swamp flycatcher, Squacco herons, giant kingfishers, Water thick-knee, Bateleur, Ring-necked francolin, Blue-shouldered robin chat, papyrus gonolek and others will be spotted.
Stunning water bodies
The wetland-fringed Lakes within Akagera National Park are surprisingly haven to Hippos and Nile crocodiles but Lake Ihema is the largest and surprisingly the most explored. The likes of Rwanyakizinga, Shakani, Mihindi and Gishanju are also worthwhile.
Thrilling tourist activities in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Through game drives, travellers can observe the best and largest part of Akagera National Park. The top animals of this Protected Area are best sighted by an open vehicle where leopards, Grant’s zebras, Masai giraffes, Olive baboons, giant elands, lions, Defassa waterbucks, Eastern black rhinos, Roan antelopes, impalas, bushbucks, Oribis, spotted hyenas, warthogs and Mongoose are commonly seen.
Boat rides
A Boat ride is another popular thing to do within the Park. Travellers normally take the refreshing adventure along Lake Ihema to get a closer look at the Nile crocodiles and Hippos among other wildlife species. It is a thrilling 3-4 hours’ ride on the Lake to see crocodiles basking and sunbathing on the Lakeshores but also birds such as papyrus gonolek, Giant and pied Kingfishers, Grey-crowned cranes, Crested barbets, Hammerkop, African jacana, Papyrus gonolek, Hadada ibis, Sooty falcon, African fish eagles, Water thick-knee and many others.
Guided bush walks
Join the armed Park Ranger to get up-close and personal with Mother Nature through the trails that crisscross different landscapes. A wide range of animal species-rhinos, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, duikers and warthogs, birds, wetlands and butterflies are common. Enhance the experience by having a picnic lunch surrounding by purely the wilderness.
Bird watching
Being one of Rwanda’s bird watching Paradises, unique bird species such as Blue-shouldered robin chat, shoebill storks, red-faced barbets, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco herons, African harrier hawks, Hammerkop, Long-crested Eagles, giant kingfishers, grey-crowned cranes, African fish eagles, Crested barbet are spotted during birding tours, boat cruises, nature walks and game drives.
Lake Shakani sport fishing tours
Enthusiastic anglers are treated to remarkable sport fishing experiences within Lake Shakani, where Tilapia and Catfish are caught and released. The adventure is spiced by breathtaking views of different wildlife species that include Hippos and waterbucks among others.
Wilderness Camping
While it can be categorized as a form of accommodation, wilderness camping can be treated as an awe-inspiring tourist activity in the Park where travellers from across the World travel to this Protected Area to get intimate with the wilderness. There are so far three wonderful Campsites that make this experience possible, with basic amenities (toilets, water and firewood) and bonfires to share wilderness experiences.
Village walks
Travellers who can’t resist learning about the culture of cattle, take part in local beer brewing, preparation and tasting of local foods or marvel at the unique arts and crafts of Rwandans can add the village walks around Akagera National Park. Some of these walks lead to Imigongo Art and Craft Center for a better picture into the diverse culture and heritage of the people.
Riveting Helicopter Tours
Helicopter tours from Kigali International Airport lead to the stunning eastern part of Rwanda to relish the aerial views of Akagera National Park where the animals are clearly seen roaming in addition to varying ecosystems of the safari destination.
Perfect make to undertake Akagera National Park tours
Tourist activities in the Park are available all year round but the seasons offer varying experiences. If you make your safari in the dry season, expect clearer and better game viewing experiences as animals converge around the few watering points especially lakes and Rivers.
For travel during the wet season, vegetation is greener and therefore expect more difficult game viewing as animals scatter around the many watering points while others hide within the tall grasses. But birding tours peak during the wet season-March to May and October to November.
Accommodation options during Akagera National Park tours
Akagera Game Lodge is the main place of lodging during Akagera National Park tours but travellers are also offered excellent and unforgettable stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp and the beautiful Dereva Hotel. Wilderness Camping is provided at three wonderful Campsites with solar-powered heating and lighting, running water and eco-toilets provided. Travellers who don’t mind staying outside the Park can book with Cari Hotel, Umubano Hotel, Seeds of Hope Guesthouse and Manor Hotel among others.
How can you get to Akagera National Park?
Akagera National Park is found in the Eastern part of Rwanda and can be reached through two ways; for air, travellers can use chartered Helicopter rides operated by Akagera Aviation and take only about 20 minutes.
The Road trips from Kigali to Akagera National Park last only 2-3 hours with jaw-dropping sights to behold along the way.