Visit Akagera National Park, which is home to the Big five mammals, also a famous Savannah reserve that lies in the eastern part of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. The Park was gazetted in 1934 as National Park, it’s where it derives its name from the river that runs along its eastern boundary at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania.
Akagera National Park covers an area of 1,122 sq km which is relatively warm and low-lying, and plains support a cover of dense, broad-leafed woodland with lighter acacia woodland and patches of rolling grassland studded eloquently withstands the superficially cactus-like Euphorbia candelabra shrub which is quite a remarkable eco-system.
No better place in Rwanda to experience the game drives both day and night game drives. Akagera National Park boasts the big 5 mammals in abundance including other wildlife species. The most fantastic drive from the south to the north in a day will give abundant sightings of wildlife games from watching family elephants, a great adventurous experience as well as the most magnificent views from the top of the mountain across Lake Ihema towards Tanzania. A night game drive is quite different from the day – at night there is a good opportunity to see the nocturnal animals which include a few leopards, and lions, with several cats, civets, and hyenas all hunting and looking for prey throughout the night.
Visiting the unspoiled wildlife landscape in Rwanda that gives you a chance to experience a boat cruise along Lake Ihema which is the biggest lake in the park, home to various water birds and aquatic life in Rwanda. As a result, you will encounter a variety of birds including; the rare shoebill storks, African fish eagles, crowned cranes, and marabou storks. On another hand, you will see many hippos and crocodiles. This boat cruise will give you a chance to have a good view of wild mammals which includes elephants, and buffalos, and these will gather at the banks in order to drink water.
Meeting the local communities in the finest way possible. Cultural tours in Akagera National Park are the best way to meet with local communities and learn about their way of life. Music and dance play an indispensable role in everyday life here and performances range from dashing demonstrations of bravery and prowess to humorous songs, light-hearted dances, and rural artistry with roots in traditional agriculture, the Heritage which is the culture of cattle, the local production that’s beers and the bees, arts and crafts as well as the celebration which is food and festivities. Each of these safaris gives a glance into life in communities around the park
Fishing as an activity is done in Lake Shakani, spend a relaxing day fishing off the lakeshore and then cook your catch over an open fire at the campsite is an unforgettable experience in Akagera National Park. Whether you come with your own gear or rent from the park, the experience remains the same and you can fish for the whole day from the shores of Lake Shakani as you experience different methods with different fish species.
Visit Akagera National Park for bird watching, you can leave this amazing park without getting impressed with the many bird species that range from water to forest and also savannah as well as the migratory bird species and many of these are endemic, and are so rare like the papyrus gonolex which is found in the papyrus swamps. There are also the localized red-faced barbets, the swamp flycatcher, African fish eagles, marabou stork, crowned cranes, and open-billed stork and among others
Lodging in Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park has various up-market accommodation facilities that are nestled within and around the Park including the Magashi Tented Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, and Karenge Bush Camp.
How to reach & visit Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park is located in the North-Eastern region of Rwanda about 110 km from Kigali the capital of Rwanda, which is about a 2 and half-hour drive, and by helicopter is only 30 minutes ride. You can easily complement your gorilla trek safari in Rwanda with an excursion to this wonderful wildlife place.
