Akagera national park.
Akagere national park is one of the biggest national parks in Rwanda where travelers can do the best in wildlife safaris tours in Rwanda. The park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda and is blessed with amazing wildlife species like lions, giraffes, and hippos. Akagera national park was named after river kagera and it’s a home of different animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions among others.
Widely considered to be one of the most scenic parks in central-eastern Africa, Akagera extraordinary biodiversity ranges from impressive herds of herbivores that graze the open plains to rare and elusive birds that frequent the swamps. Despite being relatively small, Akagera is home to an impressive array of wildlife. A convenient and beautiful park to visit, Akagera remains a relatively undiscovered gem.
Akagera was a forest reserve in with rich bio diversity in flora and fauna species and was given a status of a national park by the Belgium national park in 1934. This was done in an effort to protect the remaining species of wildlife animals that were under threat in the national park.
Attractions in Akagera national park
Wildlife
Akagera national park is the only national park in Rwanda dominated by savannah vegetation providing a suitable habitat for a wide range of wildlife which are easily seen upon your visit to the park and the include, topi, buffalo, deffasa water duck, swamp dwelling sitatunga, savannah elephant among others. There are also primates that are spotted in the forested region of the park, that is; vervet monkey, and blue monkeys and mostly spotted around the lakes, swamps and the savannah plains. Akagera national park is also the only place in Rwanda where visitors can get to see the famous big 5 animals in their natural habitat.
Water bodies.
The park is dotted with many water bodies. The park is made up of swamp fringed lakes which include the following; lake Ihema, lake Shakani, lake rwanyakazinga, lake gishangu, and lake mihindi. These lakes are the best spot to view numerous wildlife found in the park. Notable animals seen around these water bodies include; hippos, crocodiles, and fish.
Birds.
The park is a recognized birding site habiting approximately 500 bird species, the park is a home to a variety of bird species which are observed in the savannah plains, hills, forest, swamps, and shores. The savannah birds and raptors are very common and there are several endemic species such as the red faced barbet that may be spotted. Bird species found and spotted in the park include shoe bill, cattle egret, fish eagles, and long crested eagle among others. If you enjoy birds, the park is a great place to see numerous species as well as rare treasures like the near-threatened papyrus Gonolek, which is only found in papyrus wetlands.
Activities in Akagera national park.
Game drives
Game drive in the park are the ideal way for visitors to explore this beautiful, rich and vast national park. The national park offers its visitors both day and night drives, with morning game drives starting as early as 6am and night game drives commence at 6pm in the evening which will enable you to view nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, hyenas among others. Game drives in Akagera national park last between 1-3 hours. Visitors are advised to have a park guide accompany you during a game drive, as this makes it easier for you to locate specific wildlife animals in the park that you would like to see. During the game drives, you will be able to spot different wild animals including the 5 mammals which are lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. You will also be able to view other animals like impalas, topi, elads, and bushbucks among others.
Bird watching.
The best time for bird watching in the park is during the morning and early evening hours. This is because the birds are more active during these periods and light becoming more favorable for taking pictures. Over 500 species inhabit Akagera national park and some of the birds that visitors are likely to see while on a birding expedition in the park include; the rare and highly sought after shoebill stork, swampy fly catchers, white egrets, among others. During trips in Akagera Park cost USD 30 per person
Fishing
Fishing is among one of the interesting activities that visitors engage in while on holidays, in the park. Fishing in the park is done on Lake Shakani and common fish species such as tilapia and cat fish can be caught in the lake. The park also organizes fishing tournaments on this lake, however visitors interested in taking part in these fishing competitions will have to directly contact the reservations team in the park. Fishing activities on Lake Shakani in Akagera national park involves visitors also learning about the various fishing methods of fishing used in Rwanda including the cast net method, the gill net method among others.
Hiking and guided nature walks.
Visitors in the park can embark on hiking adventures and guided nature walks in the national park. Hiking and nature walks in the park give visitors an opportunity to view a variety of flora and fauna species including plant tree, insect, butterfly and bird species.
Community tours.
During community tours, visitors get opportunity to mingle with the local people living in communities near the national park. Community tours in Akagera give visitors an opportunity to explore Rwanda and her people. During the community tours, visitors are introduced to the Rwandan cultural through dance performances, folk songs and stories as well as traditional arts and crafts. Going on a community tour will also give the visitor an opportunity to cook tradition Rwandan dishes, make banana bear among others.
Accommodation in Akagera national park
Accommodation in Akagera national park in Rwanda Is available in all cases and the facilities are up to standard depending on the tastes of the guests. For tourists visiting or interested in carrying out activities in Akagera national park, you might want to check out these lodges and hotels when planning your accommodation for your safari. The accommodation is ranged from budget, luxury and mid-range.
Budget lodges
Dereva hotel.
The hotel is positioned in Rwamagana district, 40 minutes’ drive to the park. The accommodation at Dereva hotel comes in king sized room, queen rooms, and twin rooms. Each room is characterized by different facilities with a bathroom inside, warm water, free internet, and DSTV services among others. The general facilities at the hotel include bar and restaurant.
Midrange lodges
Magashi safari camp.
It lies in the far north of the park and holds a position of being an up market safari camp. The accommodation at Magashi comes in 3 unit tents with double beds, and the rest of the other 3 have twin beds which can easily be integrated to make a double bed. Visitors are free to enjoy a range of activities at Magashi which include; guided nature walks, boat cruise, game drives, and fitness activities at the lodges well equipped gym among others.
Luxury lodges
Mantis Akagera game lodge.
The lodge stands on a hill at the southern tip of the park. The lodge has 60 rooms and suites, large pool, a conference center, restaurant and bar. Akagera game lodge is the perfect home base while conferencing or exploring the conservation treasure of Akagera national park.
How to get to Akagera national park
Getting to Akagera national park is a simple task and very interesting journey as one gets to see beautiful attractions on their way in Rwanda. Akagera national park can be accessed by both road and air means.
By road
Tourists using road means to access the park can be driven from Kigali via Rwamanga town and proceed to the national park while enjoying beautiful views around them.
By air or flight.
Tourists can access the park through flights organized by the Akagera aviation which organizes domestic and charter flights for tourists to other national parks around Rwanda.
Best time to visit Akagera national park.
The natural wildness of Akagera national park is so amazing that you could visit at any time of the year. Every season provides an opportunity to view the park in a new light. The weather in Rwanda is cool and perfect for your visit during your safari. Timing a safari in the park isn’t just about picking a date, it’s about timing a safari with natures flow to have the best of your experience.
The dry seasons are the perfect timing for most safari goers, especially around June to September (long dry season) and December to February (short dry season). During the dry season, the park transforms into a wild stage. During the dry seasons animals flock to water sources like Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, and Akagera River which will enable tourists view the animals well as they are concentrated near water sources
