Akagera national park is referred to as Rwanda’s savannah vegetation park. On a Rwanda safari, the park is abundant with the most amazing animals in the entire country. The Big five mammals can be seen in the savannah, mountains, and papyrus swamps of Akagera National Park, which is renowned as a safari refuge. Akagera National Park is situated in the northeastern part of Rwanda, bordering Tanzania. Akagera River, which flows along the eastern perimeter and nourishes many of the park’s lakes, including Lake Ihema, gives the Akagera National Park its name.
Attractions in Akagera national park.
Wildlife.
The abundance of animals that inhabits in Akagera National Park makes it magnificent. A Rwanda safari makes it easy to see a broad variety of species in the park, which is dominated by different savannah vegetation. The big five mammals lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and leopards as well as other animals can be found in Akagera National Park. The park is home to many different animal species in addition to the big five mammals, including zebras, eland, antelopes, impalas, bushbucks, hyenas, side-striped jackals, manogoose species, oribi, and many more. Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and other primate species can be found in a particular forested portion of the park.
Water bodies.
The numerous water bodies that surround Akagera National Park are well-known for them that are such stunning and attractive. Lake Ihema, Lake Shakan, Lake Gishanju, Lake Mihindi, and Lake Rwanyakazinga are just a few of the lakes in the park. Since many different animal species congregate there to drink water, making it simple to observe them, these lakes are the ideal locations to spot the park’s rich biodiversity, including bird and animal species. Once more, travelers can see hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and several fish species in those lakes.
Bird species.
Akagera National Park is renowned for housing more than 525 different bird species. Various bird species can be seen in the park’s hills, forests, wetlands, and savannah plains. Amur falcon, Black-crowned night heron, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Blue spotted wood dove, Booted eagle, Augur Buzzard, Cardinal quelea, fish eagles, Grey-backes Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Booted eagle, Cardinal quelea, Blue-shouldered robin-chat and many other bird species can be seen in Akagera National Park.
Activities to do in Akagera National Park.
Game drives.
The best safari destination in Rwanda is Akagera National Park, where visitors can see an abundance of wildlife, including the big five mammals lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and buffaloes as well as antelopes, impalas, topis, jackals, zebras, and sitatungas, among other species. One of the joys of a safari in Rwanda is seeing all the incredible big five mammals. Akagera National Park provides visitors three alternative times to go game driving that is: in morning, in afternoon, and at night. The best safari experience is provided by a morning game drive, during which visitors can see the early risers, and that’s the period when almost animal species are from their hidden places including lions, leopards, civets, hyenas, bush babies, serval cats, elephants, water bucks, oribis, roan antelopes, klipspringers, and others.
Bird watching.
The finest place for bird lovers is Akagera National Park, which is home to over 525 different kinds of birds. Visitors to the park can go on a bird viewing safari where they can see crested barbet, Brown-chested lapwing, Booted eagle, Caspian plover, Red-Faced Barbets, egrets, Denham’s bustard, herons, Lesser jacana, shoebill storks, Marsh owl, Marsh tchgra, Papyrus gonolek, Northern brown-throated weaver, Pennant-winged nightjar, Red-faced barbet, Ruaha chat, Shelley’s francolin, Ross’s turaco, Short- tailed pipit, Souza’s shrike, Tabora cisticola, Yellow-bellied eremomela, Slate-colored boubou and other bird species. Bird lovers visiting Akagera National Park will have the chance to observe the various bird species that live there, including water birds and others.
Boat Cruises.
The ultimate safari experience may be had at Akagera National Park, where visitors can take boat rides on Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second-largest lake. The calm atmosphere of the park and the endless sightings of crocodiles, hippos, different bird species, and other animal species along lake coastlines are enjoyed and spotted by the tourists during the boat cruises. The safari activity is best enjoyed and done during morning and afternoon.
Fishing.
AKagera National Park, on Lake Shakani, a well-known lake with a variety of fish species including tilapia, catfish, and others, fishing is an amazing safari activity. On a safari in Rwanda, visitors can spend their leisure time fishing on the lakeshores and later cooking their catch over an open campfire at their campsite.
Guided nature tours and hiking.
Visitors to AKagera National Park enjoy hiking and nature walks that take them to different parts of the park, giving them the chance to view the diverse flora and fauna that includes, among other things, different animal and bird species, trees, plants, butterflies, and more.
Walk the line hiking tour.
Akagera National Park allows visitors to experience life as a fence keeper. With park guides, walk-the-line hikes last two hours along a 120 kilometres perimeter fence while they verify that it is completely secure. The trek starts at the park’s entrance and takes travelers through stunningly lovely hills before coming to a ridgetop where they can enjoy the most stunning views of the park in all three directions.
Behind the scenes.
Visitors to Akagera National Park participate in the management of the park. A “behind the scenes” tour of the park takes visitors through its headquarters, where they can interact with park staff members and learn about their conservation efforts there.
Community cultural experiences.
A safari in Rwanda would not be complete without visiting and experiencing the local communities close to Akagera National Park. The possibilities to study the fascinating Rwandan culture and its people are provided through the group cultural excursions. Visitors can interact with locals, learn how to milk cows, making local banana beer, learn about their way of life, and engage in other activities.
Camping.
Akagera National park has three camping areas that may accommodate campers: the Mayumba campsite, Mutamba Akagera campsite, and Shakani Akagera campsite. The park offers wonderful camping experiences to people interested in camping. Camping is a great way to experience Akagera National Park’s nightlife because it allows you to see creatures like elands, roan antelopes, and hippos as well as enjoy the nighttime vistas of Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani and the sounds of many birds singing.
Best time to visit Akagera National Park.
Although Akagera National Park can be visited throughout the year, the best time to do so is between the months of June and September during the dry season, when the park’s climate is the least likely to change and when visitors can most benefit from the warmer weather. When the park’s foliage is dense, which allows for animal species viewing, animal species do gather around the park’s water sources during this time, which allows for perfect viewing.
Where to stay in Akagera national park.
Tourists who come to visit Akagera national park are offered with the various and best accommodation facilities that are under Budget, Mid-range and luxury accommodations that includes Ruzizi Tented camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush camp, Mutumba campsite, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Karenga Bush Camp, and among others.
How to get to Akagera National Park.
You can access Akagera National Park from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda while using the Rwamagana town, and using the southern gate, the drive takes you around 2 hours to get there. Also there is air transport option for the tourists who wish not to use the road transport, using Akagera Aviation.