What Is Akagera National Park Famous For

Would you like to know what Akagera National Park is famous for? Akagera National Park is the only game park that Rwanda is proud of. This park is a habitat to many wild animals including leopards, black rhinos, lions, lycanos, hyenas, zebras, a herd of buffaloes, impalas, hippos, elephants, and crocodiles to mention but a few.

The park provides unmatched views from the surrounding mountains, over 10 lakes, great vegetation cover and so much more. All this glory is dotted on 2500 sq km of land.

The rich history of Akagera National park makes it a Unique Rwanda safari destination. It was gazetted from a forest reserve in 1934 but has undergone a series of hitches after the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the parkland park turned into the main source of firewood, hunting, and agriculture.

Most Popular Safaris

• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking
• 5 Day Gorilla and Chimp
• 8 Day Gorilla Tracking
• 2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Via Kigali
• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Via Kigali
• 5 Day Chimp and Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Safari to Murchison Falls National Park
• 3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali
• 5 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Because of habitat loss, a number of animals migrated or were killed some even ran into extinction. By 2007, poaching, agriculture, and encroachment took over a great amount of land that would be used by animals like black rhinos.

In order to promote tourism, the Rwanda Development Board and African Park partnered in 2009 under Akagera Management Company. Programs to recover this former game-rich Rwanda National Park started in 2010 and by 2015, the Rhinos and lions were reinstated in the park.

As of today, Akagera National Park is registering steady wildlife conservation progress with a number of activities being done like game drives, boat trips on Lake Ihema, and scenic viewing to mention but a few.

Highlight Of What Akagera National Park Is Famous For

• Game drives
• Boat Trip and fishing
• Birding
• Nature Walk
• Community tour

Game drives In Akagera National Park

An early morning or Afternoon game drive through the tracks of Akagera National Park may give you chance to see early risers emerge from or walk to their night hideouts. Look around for beautiful views of rolling mountain surroundings, rich birdlife, and colorful and beautiful and colorful butterflies to mention but a few. Some of the wild animals you may get to see include impalas, elephants, Rhinos, waterbucks, bushbucks, Burchell zebras and so much more.

During the game drive, keen birders have a chance to identify a number of birds that spend part of their day in the swamps, forest, and grassland of Akagera National park.  A few of the birds include the Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Doherty’s and Lagden’s Bush-shrikes, Archer’s Robin-chat, Red-throated Alethe, and African fish eagles the list is endless.

A Boat Trip on Lake Ihema or Lake Shakari

Taking a boat ride in Akagera National park is wildlife show time as the banks of the lake are regularly graced by riverine birds and wild animals move down to quench their thirst in Lake Ihema. You may get the chance to animals like giraffes, herds of buffaloes, elephants, water bucks, bushbucks and so many others. Having some special moments on Lake Ihema gives you super views of what the park is gifted with. In the water are schools of hippos and crocodiles that spend hot days in the lake.

The great views of close by hills that compose the park’s topography cannot go unnoticed during the boat ride.

Chances of doing sport fishing on Lake Shakari or Lake Rwanyakazinga are available but you need prior arrangements to secure a boat and its captain. During the fishing trip, you may get to catch fish like tilapia, catfish, and mudfish to mention but a few.

Do not forget to carry your fishing equipment and some lures for you to have fun.

Birding In Akagera National Park

Birding in Rwanda especially Akagera National Park is an exceptional experience. A range of habitats in Akagera National Park favors different bird species to thrive.  In the company of a knowledgeable birding guide you get to identify bird species like shoe bill, cattle egrets, herons, and Swamp flycatchers to mention but a few.

While enjoying a boat ride by Lake Ihema, you have a high chance of spotting an array of birds, especially water birds that love feasting on the goodies of the marshy shore and swamps. Community Tour to the close communities of Akagera National Park

Immersing yourself in the rich culture of Rwanda during your Rwanda Safari is unmatched. Although some cultural erosion has with time eroded from Rwanda, the still existing experiences tell the tale about the nature of indigenous Rwanda.

With prior arrangements, you can spend a day with a local family who can take you into their day-to-day activities.

It’s exciting to participate in art and crafts and do cow milking. Rwandese are renowned cattle keepers so expect to see a lot of cattle products like ghee, yogurt, and cheese. You can also participate in churning ghee.

The contagious Intore dance accompanied by the soothing local drum sounds cannot leave you in your seat. The queen dancers swing their arms like crested cranes in a nuptial dance while the king dancers jump with long far tied around their heads with loud rattles on their feet.   

What Accommodation To Book on Safari In Akagera National Park

The choice of where to spend your Rwanda Safari nights depends on your budget.  Accommodation facilities available in Akagera National Park range from upmarket to, Mid-range and Budget accommodations facilities.

A few of the Akagera National Park accommodations include Akagera game lodge, Vintage cottage, Ruzizi Tented lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Akagera Resort and Country club and so many others.

How To Get To Akagera National Park

By Road

The distance from Kigali to Akagera National park is 98km driving for 3 hours without stops. You drive through Rwamagaga to Kayonza to Kabarondo to Rinkwanvu.

If you are crossing from Uganda to Akagera National Park use Gatuna Border.

From Tanzania Akagera National park can be accessed through Rusumo Border.

By Air

For more private flights to Akagera National Park you can charter from Kigali airport. Advance arrangements must be made.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Safari In Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the wild game haven for Rwanda ready to host tourists any time of the year. Most enjoyed game drives happened in June to September when open grass lands are lower in height. Opportunities of spotting zebras, buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks Rhinos, olive baboons, lions are higher then.

March to May and November are more wet with high grass that protects infants from predators that love hangout in the park. There is less noise and obstructions from many safari vehicles. The tracks are more slippery though because of the soft volcanic soils in the park so drivers need 4×4 wheelers.

What To Pack For Safari In Akagera National Park

Mind the number of travel bags you carry for your Rwanda Safari to Akagera National Park so that they don’t become an inconvenience later.

• Sunglasses to wear under the scorching sun, incredibly while relaxing by the poolside.
• A travel Journal for recording those great moments while in Akagera National Park
• Pajamas for the night
• A pair of Binoculars to catch a clearer picture of far-ranging features and animals park.
• Sunscreen for protecting your body from sun rays while relaxing by the pool.
• A torch is to be used while in the room and lights have gone out Akagera National park use solar power.
• A travel adapter for recharging in case your gadgets need to be recharged.
• Avoid packing blue, white, and black colors because they attract insects like tsetse flies.
• A camera for using to store memories of your experience while on safari in Rwanda
•  Some hard cash because credit cards have lengthy procedures for collecting money from them.
• Pack another fully charged battery for the camera if one runs low while in the field. Some moments on safari appear instants and must be covered urgently.
• Insect repellant as the wilderness is a habitat to a number of insects that may be stingers.

• First Aid kit with your personal medication in case you suffer from any personal illness. Carry some of your medical forms too for emergencies.
• Safari hat to protect your hair from dust and flying insects in the wilderness
• Toiletries like toothpaste, and bathing soap in case your lodge doesn’t provide them
• Energy bites for munching on while on safari.

What To More To Do in Rwanda After Akagera National Park Tour

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

The tourism sector of Rwanda starts with gorilla trekking in volcanoes National Park. One can tailor an itinerary with a combo of Rwanda game safari and gorilla trekking. You must have a gorilla trekking permit from Rwanda Development Board.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park

Sharing that moment with the chimpanzees whose DNA is about 96% of that of humans. A chimpanzee trekking permit is required for you to be part of the team that treks either in the morning or afternoon. Find out what Nyungwe National park is famous for.

Kigali City Tour

Rwanda has one of the most amazing and ever clean cities in Africa. How do you leave Rwanda without feeling the experience of the commercial city? You can do a game drive in Akagera National Park and do a Kigali city tour too. Visit the Rwanda genocide memorials, cultural centers, and local communities to mention but a few.

Golden monkeys trek in Volcanoes National park

Volcanoes national park has some of the remnant golden monkeys which are exciting to be in the company with. Their brown hairs and body physic are larger and different from that are other monkeys.

Birding in Rwanda

Birding in Rwanda is best done in Volcanoes National park and Nyungwe National park. These forested parks provide incredible habitats to various birds including Albertine endemics.

For more information about Encounter Africa Safaris and all activities in Akagera National Park, feel free to contact us.