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Akagera National Park (Parc National de l’Akagera) happens to be the only wildlife safari park found in Rwanda. This makes it a special spot to encounter all the big 5 game members in one single habitat and several other wildlife species.
Location of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a splendid savanna park lying in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The park stretches covering the border area of Rwanda and Tanzania. Its land area measures 1122 sq.km and it was gazetted in 1934 making it the 2nd oldest park. Its landscape features mainly the vast savanna grassland, woodland, wetland and montane areas.
Akagera National Park gets its name from the spectacular Kagera River that flows through it and empties its water to most Lakes including Gishanju, Lake Mahindi, Lake Shakani, Lake Ihema, Rwanyakizinga and many more. The available lakes play an important part as main source of water for the park’s wildlife, and offers refuge to aquatic species such as crocodiles, hippos and aquatic birds.
The history of Akagera National Park
The present Akagera National Park was a gazetted Game Reserve and was a habitat for its fauna and flora. It gained the park status in 1934 under the Belgian Government. Wildlife conservation and protection then still encountered challenges. The original park size was 2500 sq. km, and its area coverage was cut off when refugees returned towards the end of the Rwanda genocide. This resulted in clearing part of the park for cultivation, and part of it was used for grazing cattle. An estimated 25 per cent of Akagera NP was lost, leading to the extinction of some wild animal species, including lions, rhinos and more.
Wildlife/Animals in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a rich wildlife destination, an important home to most savanna dwellers, especially the big 5 game. The different animal species to expect to come across during Rwanda safari holiday in Akagera National Park include side-striped jackals, bush pigs, reedbucks, leopards, hippos, black-masked civet, grant’s zebras, Masai giraffes, lions, rhinos, impalas, sitatungas, elands, roan antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, and others.
Birds
There are more than 500 bird species that are hosted within Akagera National Park Rwanda. These include the papyrus gonoleks, grey crowned cranes, red-faced barbets, ring-necked francolins, African fish eagles, shoebill storks, Augur buzzard, marabou storks, fan-tailed widowbird, squacco herons, African darters, vieillot’s black weaver birds, carruther’s cisticolas, long-toed & water thick knee, Senegal lapwings, African wattled plovers, black-headed weaver birds, cattle egrets, ibis, sniper bird, open-billed storks, to mention but a few.
Game drive: Game drive is one leading safari experience that is enjoyable while you are in Akagera National Park. This remarkable safari tour allows you enjoy the sight of small and large mammal species. During the game drive, you can engage in the morning and afternoon session. The likely sightings during Akagera National Park game drives include warthogs, lions, African bush elephants, leopards, cape buffaloes, the Maasai giraffes, zebras, black rhinos, and bird species.
Launch or boat cruise: Boat cruise is a recreational tour experience that guarantees you ultimate views of aquatic life. At Akagera National Park, you will be exploring Lake Ihema on a guided launch cruise for 2-3 hours with an experienced and knowledgeable park guide. As you cruise along Lake Ihema, expect to come across hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds ranging from African jacanas, African fish eagles, shoebill storks, pied & giant kingfishers, hammerkops, sooty falcons, papyrus gonoleks and shoebill stork.
Bird watching: The birding experience in Akagera National Park offers a remarkable opportunity for you to explore variety of birds in this park. A total of about 500 bird species live in this park and during the birding safari, you are likely to come across birds such as red-billed ducks, shoebill storks, red-faced barbet, lilac-breasted rollers, spur-winged goose, knob-billed ducks, Egyptian goose, black-headed gonoleks, emerald-spotted wood doves, white-faced whistling-ducks, long-tailed cisticolas, laughing doves, Meyer’s parrots,
Other birds include the yellow-fronted canary, cinnamon-breasted bunting, Eurasian nightjars, streaky seedeaters, white-crested turacos, African palm swifts, bronze-winged courser, golden-breasted bunting, cabanis’s buntings, brimstone canary, white-browed coucal, thick-billed seed-eaters.
Hot air balloon: For unforgettable aerial wildlife viewing experiences, you have every reason to embark on a hot air balloon tour in Akagera NP. Get to see diversity of Akagera NP wildlife from the big game to small mammals. In addition, you will have a remarkable treat to the park’s breathtaking landscape.
Community walk: Visit Akagera National Park and experience more than the big 5 game viewing. You will also be led to the nearby communities for authentic interaction with the local residents, explore different traditions, cultures and many practices. You can also support the efforts to promote community-based tourism by purchasing some of the finest items from the craft shops.
Sport fishing safaris: Sport fishing is another most memorable experience that attracts anglers on Rwanda safaris. This unique recreational experience is enjoyable on Lake Shakani where you will engage in a catch & release method of cat or tilapia fish.
Nature walks: Besides exploring Akagera in a 4x4 safari car, you can actually embark on a guided nature walk. This on-foot walk experience presents you a chance to see many wildlife and bird species. It is a perfect experience that brings you close to nature.
Akagera National Park is a special wildlife destination, often attracts visitors all year round. However, the most ideal time for you to have a vacation here is during the dry season that is from June, July, August; December, January to February. These are the best months of the year to enjoy the view of big five game and for excellent bird sights, visit the park around March, April, May and October to November.
Akagera National Park accommodation properties
The main places to consider for your overnight stay in this park include Magashi Tented Camp, Dereva Hotel, Akagera Game Lodge, Rusizi Tented Lodge and others.
Travel from Kigali city to Eastern Rwanda, a shortest drive of 2.5 hours. Or fly from Kigali airport to Akagera National Park using Akagera Aviation.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
[email protected]