Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only Savanna national park located in the Eastern part of the country. It is an extensive park covering 1,122 square kilometers with Savannah, montane, and swamp vegetation.
The park was established in 1934 by Belgian colonialists and had great biodiversity with a highest wild dogs population then. At the time it was 2500 kilometer squares with other wildlife including black rhinos and lions. Due to poaching activities in the park, some wildlife populations especially lions and rhinos were wiped out.
Part of the Akagera national park land was also allocated to Local Rwandans who returned after the Rwandan genocide. With this, the size of Akagera was reduced to its present size and boundaries.
Akagera National park is now managed by African Parks Network an organization focused on conservation. The organization seeks to restore ecosystems of national parks in Africa. With help and conservation efforts, wildlife species that were extinct have been reintroduced in Akagera a great hope for Rwandan Tourism.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is home to Rwanda’s only savanna wildlife species. Animals to look out for while on safari here include elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, plus various antelope species. Other wildlife species include giraffes, leopards though rarely seen, baboons, hippos, zebras, and many others.
Rhinos and lions in Akagera were just reintroduced giving the park a new face of tourism attracting many more tourists. Akagera National Park has vast wetlands that shelter aquatic wildlife species like Nile crocodiles, hippos, and others.
The park is also a birders’ haven with various bird species that are seen freely roaming the open savanna plains. Akagera also has lakes and rivers the common ones being Lake Ihema and River Kagera. These water bodies are also home to various wildlife species usually seen while on boat cruises, especially on Lake Ihema.
Tourist Activities
Game Drives
Since Akagera National park is an open savanna national park, game drives are the prime tourist activities. Day game drives in Akagera present opportunities for seeing the park’s major wildlife including elephants, zebras, buffaloes, and rhinos among others.
For the best chancing of wildlife, it’s advisable to start with early morning game drives and catch up with early risers. Game drives are done following the national park trails led by experienced ranger guides with all the information you need.
Tourists interested in nocturnal wildlife in Akagera can do night game drives and meet the park’s predators; lions and leopards. Night game drives are organized by the park therefore if interested ensure to book in advance.
Boat Cruise
Boat trips in Akagera are done along Lake Ihema viewing various bird species and aquatic wildlife like hippos and crocodiles. The boat cruises are scheduled to start at 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. The early morning boat trips are best for birding where you see the park’s various bird species.
The Afternoon boat cruise also offers birding chances and are best option to catch up with the beautiful sunset. The park can also arrange private non-scheduled boat trips on request.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing in Akagera National Park can be done along Lake Shakani with great lake fish species like the Tilapia. This is a great outdoor adventure activity where you are free to cook your fish catch over an open fire.
Kindly ensure to come with your fishing equipment and communicate to the park to avoid any disturbances and inconveniences.
Community Visit
While in Akagera National Park you get to interact with the local people on community visits. These feature local community activities like milking, local alcohol brewing, and beekeeping experiences tailor-made to suit your interests.
These community experiences are arranged by the local people which enables them to directly involve and earn in tourism. It has provided employment opportunities for some who act as local guides. An interaction with the local people enables you to know more about the Rwandan culture and the people’s ways of life.
When to Visit
Rwanda experiences two major seasons, the dry and wet season. The long dry season spans from June to September and it’s the best time to visit Akagera National Park. During this time, the grass is usually dry and short offering great opportunity for wildlife viewing.
The major game drive trails in the park are also dry making movement from one place to another very easy. From December to March there is a short dry season and can also be a good time for visiting Akagera.
The wet season in Rwanda starts from late March to May and from October to November. This usually brings life to the park’s vegetation returning to its lush green color offering great scenic views. The wet season is the best time for birding though safari game drives are also doable. Akagera National Park is best explored alongside other Rwanda safari destinations like Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks.
Accommodation in Akagera National Park
While on A visit to Akagera National Park, you can stay at Akagera Game Lodge the park’s main accommodation option. It has mid-range and luxury rooms and it directly overlooks Lake Ihema.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge is another beautiful accommodation option for Akagera National Park. It is a luxurious Tented eco-lodge at the banks of Lake Ihema with a total of 9 tents. Magashi Camp is another luxurious accommodation option in Akagera overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga.
These accommodation facilities are conveniently located within the park and wildlife viewing starts right at where you sleep.
