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ToggleAkagera National Park; Facts, Map, Hotels, Prices & Animals.
Discover everything about Akagera National Park Rwanda, why is it unique, best time to visit, wildlife and Akagera tour packages plus its location, etc.
Your Rwanda Safaris tour is incomplete if you don’t include a visit to Akagera National Park onto your travel bucket list for the best wildlife safaris. This park that is situated in the Eastern part of the country continues to be among the popular destination that is flocked by travelers throughout the year to see so much that it does have within her boundaries.
Akagera National Park derives its name from the Akagera river which feeds the lakes that are within and surrounds the park and flows close to the Tanzanian border in the East. These Lakes include; Lake Gishanju, Lake Mihindi, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Shakani, Lake Ihema that is found within the park and where you will do a boat cruise on your visit to the park.
This is the only savannah national park in Rwanda and where you will be able to see a big number of wildlife species like lions, antelopes, bird species, buffaloes among others that roam freely within the park’s premises.
Within Akagera National Park, its where you will find the largest protected wetland, swampy lakes that are surrounded by rolling hills that make the whole experience memorable as you explore the park the park on your game drive.
Facts and History of Akagera National Park Rwanda:
Because of the dire need to protect wildlife species that were under a threat, in 1934 the Belgian government gave Akagera a national park status from a forest reserve which makes it the oldest national park in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park used to be among the largest parks in central Africa but following the 1994 Rwanda genocide, a bigger portion of the park’s land was occupied by returning refugees who had lost their land and were looking for a new place to resume their life afresh.
With the return of refugees and settling in Akagera National Park, this put the life of the various wildlife species at a risk and a number of these were being poached which led to the reduction of the wildlife species and some became extinct.
It is estimated that initially Akagera Park had over 300 lions and over 50 black rhinos but due to increased poaching which is thought to have been brought about by human settlement in the park, these species became extinct.
When the government allocated half of the park’s land to returning refugees, this reduced the size of the park from 2,500 square kilometers to 1,200 square Kilometers that it sits on today.
Today, things are turning around for Akagera National Park and it seems to have a bright future ahead. Ever since the Rwandan government entered into a joint partnership with Africa Parks Networks in 2010, there has been a re-introduction of the some of the wildlife species that had become extinct in the park.
These include lions that were re-introduced from South Africa in 2015, white rhinos were also re-introduced in Akagera National park in 2021 with the population of these increasing after they gave birth. In 2019, Akagera National Park also received 5 black rhinos from a zoo in the Czech Republic.
The government together with the Akagera National park management have devised means to reduce poaching which is a great threat to the successful re-introduction of wildlife species and the other ecosystem in the park. They have introduced a helicopter to increase the surveillance, a canine unit and rhino trackers.
With these measures in place, it has increased the animal population in the park which has made Akagera National Park the best destination where you can go and have a memorable big 5 experience (buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos).
Wildlife Species in Akagera:
Some of the other wildlife species you can see while on your Rwanda safari trip to Akagera National Park.
Starting from the big 5 animals, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos then the zebras, giraffes, antelope species like the bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, water-buck, roan antelope and duiker, impala, klipspringer and the cape eland, primates like the baboons, monkeys, crocodiles, hyenas, hippos, bush pigs among others.
Akagera National Park Rwanda is home to over 500 bird species and these include the rare shoebill stock, brown chested lapwing, dimorphic egret, grasshopper buzzard, papyrus gonolek, sooty chat, African fish eagle, blue billed teal, nettapus auritus and much more other birds.
This big number of birds is attributed to the rich surrounding that is made up of the savannah grassland, acacia trees, swamps, hills and valley that act as a habitat to these bird species.
Best Safari Activities in Akagera National Park:
Being Rwanda’s only savannah national park, there numerous safari activities you can do while on a visit to this park and these do include:
Game Drives in Akagera National Park;
One of the activities you can do while in the park is a game drive that introduces you to the iconic features in the park and wildlife species as well. There both day that start at 6am and night game drives that start at 6pm.
During your game drive in Akagera National Park, you will be able to see various wildlife species that include antelopes, species of birds, giraffes, elephants, zebras, hyenas, among others.
On your night game drive, you will spot leopards, lions, civets, jackals, among other nocturnal animals as this is the best time these go into the wild to hunt for their prey.
A game drive in Akagera lasts between 1-3hrs and for travellers who prefer to do night game drives, we fully recommend making sure you have a park ranger with you because these are well versed with the areas within the park and where you can spot the specific wildlife species you would want to see.
It’s on your game drive that you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the park.
Boat Cruise;
If you are looking for a memorable experience while in Akagera National Park, a boat cruise is a must include on your list of things you have to do.
This takes place on Lake Ihema and while here you will have a look at a school of hippos, crocodiles, various bird species and other wildlife species that come onto the lake to cool off and drink some water. A boat cruise on Lake Ihema will only cost $40 per person for international travelers.
There scheduled boat cruises that you can join during the day and you can choose to go for what favors your trip plan. For travelers who would prefer to do unscheduled trips at the time that favors them, this will be done at an extra fee.
Bird Watching;
Are you looking for the best place for birding while on your trip in Rwanda? Akagera is the best place. While here you will have a look at both endemic and endangered bird species.
Some of the birds you will spot on your trip are; the shoe bill stock, papyrus gonolek, white – blacked vultures, great egret, palm – nut vulture, giant kingfisher, Senegal lapwings, African wattled plover among others.
You can see these species of birds on your game drive, nature walk with the help of a ranger and boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Community Encounter;
You can as well go for community tours to visit the communities that surround the park. This gives you the opportunity to learn so much about how these people associate with each other, get to see them perform traditional folk songs, dance and even learn how to cook Rwanda’s local food.
On your cultural safaris, you will as well spot the long horned cattle, learn how to milk and prepare ghee which is the best and memorable experience.
Sport Fishing;
Another activity you can do on your trip in this park is sport fishing.
This is done on Lake Shakani and you will be given the opportunity to catch and release. You will also be allowed to catch and then have yourself fish to eat.
Hiking and Nature Walk Safaris;
During your visit to Akagera National Park you can as well embark on hiking and nature walk with the help of rangers which presents you an opportunity to see a lot of fauna and flora that is found within the park.
These include butterflies, tree species, beautiful scenic views and a lot more. To read more on the activities, visit our page that lists the best things to do in Akagera.
Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park;
Akagera National Park can be visited throughout the year but for the best experience, you will need to visit the park during the dry season of the year. This takes place during the months of June to September and Mid December to February.
It’s during this time that the wildlife animals can be seen through the open savannah grassland and on water sources where they go to cool off. During this time, the roads within the park are less slippery and dry – best for a game drive which enables a seamless experience as you visit the different spots in the park.
The park also receives less or no rainfall at all during this period which may not hinder with your travel plan thus making it the best season you can visit for a rewarding experience.
We recommend making sure you have packed enough drinking water especially for travelers who are heading out for game drives as it can be warm throughout the day.
You can as well visit the park during the wet season of the year which takes place between the months of March to May and October to early December. During this period, the park receives a lot of rainfall which tends to make the roads muddy and you will be required to use a 4×4 car to explore this park.
In case you are planning to go for a game drive in Akagera National Park during this time, we recommend making sure you have warm clothes with you.
The wet season especially between October and December is the best time for birding experience since you will be able to have a look at the various migratory bird species as they pass through the park.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park?
Accommodation in Akagera National Park (Hotels/Lodges);
For visitors who would like to stay within Akagera National Park, there various lodges, camp sites you can book depending on your budget and these do include;
Magashi Camp.
Situated close to Lake Rwanyakazinga and within the park, Magashi camp is one of the best places you can stay in while in Rwanda. This has six spacious and airy tents which will give you incredible views of Lake Rwanyakazinga and that much desired wilderness experience.
Magashi has a swimming pool, a bar, restaurant, a convivial fire pit to make you vacation a memorable one.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge.
This is located close to Lake Ihema and consists of well built safari tents that you can stay in while in Akagera. The beauty about staying here is that you will have a clear view of the lake and see the different wildlife species like the hippos as they roam around and in the lake.
Each tent accommodates 2 people and you will need to book your stay days before your trip so that you are very sure you have where to stay.
Akagera Game Lodge.
This is more than a lodge. Situated close to the Lake Ihema, Akagera game lodge has permanent structures and whether you want a budget, mid range or luxury room, you will get it here.
Like Ruzizi, while here you will as well enjoy spectacular views of Lake ihema and the various wildlife species that surround the lake.
Other lodges you can stay in while in Akagera include; Karenge bush camp and Dereva lodge. For travelers who would like to camp within the park, you will visit the different camp sites in the park where you will be allowed to set up your tent and have the best experience on your Rwanda safari.
Akagera National Park Map;
How to Get to Akagera National Park?
Travellers can access Akagera National Park from Kigali city through Rwamagana town to Akagera game park and it will take you approximately 2-3hrs to get to the park using the southern gate.
You can as well fly to the park using Akagera aviation especially for tourists who are not comfortable with a 2-3hr drive on the road and you will be in the park in less than an hour.
Overall, including Akagera National Park on your list of places to visit while on your trip in Rwanda will reward you with a true African wilderness experience where you will encounter the different wildlife, iconic features and learn more about the culture in Rwanda.
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