The Big Five Animals in Rwanda – Big 5 Safaris in Akagera:
Spotting the big five animals in Rwanda is every traveler’s dream while on their African safari. Big 5 animals in Akagera national park are the lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos.
Rwanda is among the few countries where you will be able to see these wildlife species and you can spot them in Akagera National Park which is the only savannah national park found in the country.
The term “Big 5 game animals” originated from the hunting arena in South Africa, singling out the five most dangerous wild animals to hunt on foot – each one with its own strengths and incredibly intimidating features and skills.
These Big five animals in Rwanda you will be able to spot in Akagera include the largest mammal on land – Elephants, the fiercest cat – Lion, the elusive leopard, buffalo and then Rhino.
Akagera National Park that is situated in the North eastern part Rwanda was established in 1934 which makes it one of the oldest national parks on the continent. The park covers an area of 1,122 square kilometers and this is covered by grassland, montane and marshland.
Like any other national park in Africa, Akagera’s past wasn’t good. Following the massive poaching that took place decades ago, majority of the wildlife species had become extinct while others reduced in numbers from the initial figures.
With the 1994 Rwanda genocide, it made the situation much worser especially when people who had been displaced from their homes returned and settled in the park to begin their lives afresh.
This posed a threat to the already existing wildlife species in the park. But following Rwanda’s partnership with African Parks which brought about the formation of Akagera Management Board.
With this partnership, a lot has been done in the park that include the reintroduction of wildlife species that had at some point got extinct. Some of the wildlife species that were re-introduced into the national park include the lions and rhinos.
The Big Five Animals in Rwanda:
On your big 5 safari in Rwanda you will be able to spot these and more other wildlife species that reside within this park.
Elephants;
On your safari in Akagera National Park, you will definitely come across these majestic creatures also known to be the largest mammal on Land. Elephants can weigh up to a whopping 6,000kg and live for over 60 years.
Because of the continued conservation efforts, the number of elephants in Akagera National Park has grown and multiplied. Akagera National Park has over 100 elephants that you will be able to spot on your game drive.
Make sure as you drive towards them, you stand at a distance to avoid agitating these species. Elephants walk in family groups and it’s always an exciting moment when you get to see them roam freely in the park.
Lions;
The lion is arguably the most sought after of the Big 5 animals because it is synonymous with an African safari. Lions were re-introduced in Akagera in 2015. During this time, 7 lions from South Africa were translocated into the park and in 2017, more two lions were brought.
Today the population of these wildlife species has doubled, multiplied and there high chances that you will spot them while on your visit here.
While on your game drive, make sure you go with a guide because these are well versed with the right places where you can see these cats.
For travelers who would like to do night game drives, you will also get the chance to spot these species as they roam and hunt for their prey.
Rhinos;
Rwanda’s Akagera National Park is home to both black rhinos and white rhinos. Not all parks are lucky to have both species but this park holds these within her boundaries.
Following their extinction, the black rhinos were reintroduced into the park in 2017.
Later in 2021, 30 more species of white rhinos were translocated into the park and today the population of these has grown. Rhinos are the most endangered of the big 5 animals because of the high demand of their horns.
Leopards;
When it comes to the most elusive and the most sought after of the big five animals in Rwanda‘s Akagera National Park, the leopard stands out on the list.
Many travelers usually confuse them to cheetahs but the difference is around the patterns of their fur. Patterns in leopard’s fur are made of rosette while in a cheetah, the fur is made of spots.
This is a powerful and beautiful animal that you need to look out for while on a game drive. You will see this best on your night game drive and please ensure when you approach it, all your windows are up and stay quiet as possible.
Buffaloes;
You will be unlucky if you don’t get to see the herds of buffaloes as they roam in the national park.
About 4000 individual buffaloes live within Akagera National Park and on your game drive in the northern plains, you will come across these buffaloes and make sure you do keep a distance.
Buffaloes are short tempered and unpredictable.
Until today, Akagera National Park remains the only tourists destination in Rwanda where will be able to see the big five animals in Rwanda right in their natural habitat.
You can include gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park to your big 5 safari to have an exceptional memorable experience.
Best Big 5 Safaris in Rwanda:
Encounter the big five and other wildlife with our 3 days Rwanda Safari to Akagera National Park. Involves game drives, boat cruise
Visit the 3 most popular national parks in Rwanda for activities like chimp and gorilla trekking, bird watching & game drives, etc.
The 10 day Rwanda Safari covers all the tourism aspects of Rwanda from primates to culture to big five game.