Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park In Rwanda
Akagera National Park is the largest national park in Rwanda, covering an area of 1122 square kilometres, and it was gazetted in 1934. This park is situated in the Eastern part of Rwanda, just a few hours from Kigali city, the capital of Rwanda. Akagera National Park harbours all the big five animals, which include the rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, elephants and lions, and this makes it one of the prime tourist destinations in Rwanda. Akagera National Park has a number of attractions and activities that it offers to its visitors, and some of the activities include game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, bird watching and many more. Akagera National Park harbours different wildlife species like the mammals, primates, reptiles, amphibians and various bird species. Akagera National Park experiences two seasons in a year, and those are the dry season and the wet season. There are a lot of visitors received at Akagera National Park in the dry season, and this season is considered the peak season to experience a Rwanda safari. The park can be easily explored to the fullest in the dry season, as the trails are dry and convenient for movement.
Attractions In Akagera National Park
- Wildlife
Akagera National Park harbours many wildlife, and it is the only park in Rwanda that harbours all the big five animals. The big five animals include the rhinos, elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards. Apart from the big five, there are also other wildlife species in the park which include the hippos, crocodiles, zebras, giraffes, hyenas and many more. Akagera National Park harbours different primate species, which include the vervet monkeys, lesser galago, greater galago, olive baboons, blue monkeys and many more. There are over 11 antelope species in Akagera National Park, and these include the oribi, bushbucks, topis, impala, cape eland, duikers, waterbucks, roan antelope, klipspringer and many more.
- Birds
There are several bird species in Akagera National Park, and some of these birds that reside in Akagera National Park include the African fish eagle, black-headed gonolek, marabou stork, white-browed coucal, egyptian goose, knob-billed duck, red-faced barbet, sooty falcon, shoebill, papyrus gonolek, booted eagle and many more. Akagera National Park is a shelter to approximately 500 bird species.
- Water bodies
Water bodies are one of the attractions that you find at Akagera National Park, and this park has several lakes. The lakes in Akagera National Park include lake Ihema, lake shakani, lake mihindi, lake gishanju, lake kivimba, lake hago lake rwanyakazinga and many more. The lakes mentioned give a lot of interesting views to visitors.
Activities In Akagera National Park In Rwanda
- Game drives
Akagera National Park is the only park in Rwanda that conducts game drives, and it grants you the chance to see all the big five animals while on a game drive. In Akagera National Park, there is a morning game drive that commences at around 6 am and an evening game drive that starts at around 5 pm. The game drives are conducted with the company of a guide who tells you details of the wildlife that you come across.
- Birding
Birding is also among the activities that are conducted in Akagera National Park, and Akagera National Park is a shelter to a number of bird species. When one wants to conduct a bird-watching activity in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is one of the best spots to engage in this activity. Akagera National Park is open to visitors all year through for bird watching
- Boat cruise
At Akagera National Park, boat cruises are done on Lake Ihema. There are approximately four boat phases that are done in a day, and each boat cruise takes about 2 hours. The boat cruise on Lake Ihema exposes you to the various wildlife that resides at this lake. Some of the wildlife includes the hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species. You will also be able to see animals taking water around the lake.
- Nature walks
Nature walks are one of the activities that are conducted in Akagera National Park, and this activity takes approximately 3 hours. While on a nature walk in this park, you will be able to see some wildlife, including birds, animals and various ecosystems around the park. The nature walks are done with the company of a ranger guide.
- Cultural tours
In Akagera National Park, cultural tours are conducted in a number of places and the places where the Rwanda cultural tours are done are the Humure refugee village, Imigongo art and craft village and heritage. The locals in the communities where you are taken for the Kigali cultural tours expose you to several activities, like how they prepare their local dishes, harvesting and many more. They also demonstrate their cultural dance to visitors who come to visit.
Accommodation Options In Akagera National Park
Luxury accommodation
- Ruzizi tented camp
Ruzizi tented camp is a luxury type of accommodation that one can opt for while at Akagera National Park, and this accommodation is situated on the banks of Lake Ihema, approximately 6 km from the reception of the park.
Midrange accommodation
- Magashi safari camp
Magashi safari camp is a midrange location in the north eastern edge of Akagera National Park, and it is among the options of midrange accommodations one can go for
Budget accommodation
- Karenge bush camp
Karenge Bush Camp is a budget accommodation in the north of Akagera National Park.
Best Time To Visit Akagera National Park
The best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. This national park can be accessed by visitors throughout the year in both the dry and the rainy season, but the dry season is recommended because the trails in the park are dry and can ease the movements of the visitors in the park. In the wet season, the trails are wet and slippery, causing discomfort to visitors. The dry season is considered the peak season because it is when the park receives the largest number of visitors.
