Boat Cruise Safari in Akagera National Park.

Boat Cruise Safari in Akagera National Park.: When travelers travel to Rwanda for a wildlife safari, they must stop at the enchanted Akagera National Park. But the national park’s terrible history of forest destruction, poor management, and the extinction of some endangered animals has tainted it. In actuality, the coveted Big 5 may be found in Akagera National Park.

Established in 1934, the park is Rwanda’s oldest and largest game park, spanning around 1,22 kilometers of territory. The Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, a non-governmental organization, currently oversee the park.

According to the facts, Akagera National Park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. In addition to 8,000 huge creatures, such as 22 lions, more than 80 giraffes, and more than 100 African bush elephants, it is home to more than 500 bird species.

Activities at Akagera National Park include hiking, nature walks, fishing, game drives both day and night, birdwatching, and leisurely camping.

Great boat tours are also available in the park. Visitors can explore the park’s lakes, the neighboring islands, and the variety of animals that calls the lake water and shoreline home.

National Park Akagera It is the location of the Rwanda Safari boat excursion on Lake Ihema. One of the largest of the park’s ten lakes, the lake is located on the southern edge of the national park.

The surface area of Lake Ihema is around 90 square kilometers, and its estimated depth is between 5 and 7 meters. The lake’s eastern shore is located near Rwanda’s Tanzanian border. The majority of the lakes in the national park are supplied by the renowned River Kagera.

Visitors can explore the different water species surrounding Lake Ihema by taking a boat ride. during a boat ride in Akagera National Park’s Lake Ihema. Wildlife like as crocodiles and hippopotami can be seen by visitors. The Lake is renowned for housing the greatest number of hippo in all of East Africa.

Visitors can also see a variety of bird species, including the uncommon shoebill stork, hawk, Jacanas, herons, sandpipers, and the malachite kingfisher.

The abundance of water hyacinth in Lake Ihema poses a serious threat to the lake. Many aquatic creatures and birds are threatened by the presence of water hyacinth on the lake. Along with affecting the lake’s water quality, the water hyacinth also has an impact on boat traffic. Like the Akagera River, it is likewise connected to the majority of the swamps in Akagera National Park.

Three times a day are available for boat tours at Akagera National Park: 9:00 am in the morning, 3 pm in the afternoon, and 4:30 pm in the evening. For those who would like to take private tours, the national park offers nonscheduled boat rides.

This is a great area to go on safari in Rwanda because the morning boat tour costs USD 35 per person and the evening cruise costs USD 45 per person. The total cost of renting the boat is $180 USD.

Budget, mid-range, and luxury hotels are all available at Akagera National Park. Among the lodges are Karenge Bush Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Magashi Safari Camp, and Akagera Game Lodge.

The park is reachable by plane or car; it’s roughly 110 kilometers from Kigali’s city center. It is recommended that guests on game drives go to and from the park in four-wheel drive safari vehicles, or rent one.