AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
It is one of the biggest parks in Rwanda covering 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) along the international border with Tanzania. It was founded in 1934 and includes savannah, montane, and swamp habitats. The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi had a devasting impact on Akagera National Park until 2010 when African parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board revived the lost glory of Akagera National Park.
Enforcing conservation laws and the participation of the local residents plus the elimination of poaching activities in the park brought more hope to the conservationists and in just five-years, lion and black rhinos were reintroduced between 2015 and 2017, and white rhinos were introduced in 2021 in a conservation move to help protect the species.
Today, a variety of wild animals like lions, elephants, Buffaloes, and antelopes among others attract a large number of travelers from different corners of the world. Lake Ihema is another pull factor for visitors because it offers boat cruises to see water-loving mammals like crocodiles, Hippos and many more found lingering at the shores to quench their thirst.
Activities to do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Just sit in open roof safari vehicle and view animals in the park. Drive in different trails to see the unique attractions and animals like Leopards, lions, elephants, and buffaloes among others. While on game drives, expect to see unique vegetation, relief features, water bodies, and so on.
Bird viewing
Akagera National Park is one of the Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda. Over 500 species of birds are found here so this park is a must-visit to birders. Popular birds to watch here include the Shoebill stork, swamp flycatchers, white egrets, the marabou stork, yellow sunbird, and the grey-crowned crested crane among others.
Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
There is an opportunity to see water mammals like hippos, crocodile, and monitor Lizards among others once you book a boat launch. There are scheduled boat trips at 7:30 am, 9 am, 3 pm, and 4:30 Pm. However, there are also unscheduled trips for visitors willing to enjoy private boat trips on Lake Ihema.
Guided hiking tour – get the opportunity to see different flora and fauna. Different hiking trains offer different experiences.
Akagera community tour
Visit the surrounding location for cultural experiences; enjoy traditional songs, stories, medicine men lessons, and so on. You can also learn some skills from the local community’s daily activities like farming, firewood collection, building skills, cooking local dishes, and so on.
How to reach Akagara National Park
It’s a 2 1/2hrs drive from Kigali city (about 68mls). Driving to Akagera national park is easiest if you hire a private car, however, there are public buses that go from Kigali city to Kayonza and Kibungo towns in Akagera areas. Tourists on tight schedules can choose to fly from Kigali Airport to the park by Akagera Aviation.
Accommodation in Akagera National Park
There are many safari lodges surrounding the park. They include Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, and Karenge Bush Camp.
