Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda found in the northeastern region along the border of Rwanda with Tanzania, it spans an area of 2500 square kilometers characterized by its diverse landscapes, including savannah, montane forests and extensive wetlands.
The park is named after Kagera River that flows along the eastern boundary of Rwanda with Tanzania, this river feeds into Lake Ihema and other small lakes in and around the park. Over a third of the park is covered by lakes and papyrus swamps, making it the largest protected wetland in Eastern- Central Africa.
Akagera was established in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government purposely to protect the wildlife in the region amidst the increasing threats. Historically, Akagera National Park was home to a rich variety of wildlife including the “Big Five”; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses and buffaloes. However, the park has faced significant challenges over the decades due to poaching and habitat loss. By the late 20th Century, most of the many species had drastically declined or disappeared. For instance, African wild dogs were last seen in 1984 following a disease outbreak, while black rhinos were last sighted in 2007 due to severe poaching pressures,
In the recent years, conservation efforts have led to the reintroduction of lions and black rhinos in the park, restoring its status as a vital wildlife refuge. Today, Akagera offers a wide range of activities to visits on a Rwanda Wildlife Safari, including game drives, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, bird watching and night game drives to observe nocturnal wildlife. The management of Akagera has focused on enhancing security measures and promoting sustainable tourism to support conservation efforts. This includes partnerships with organisations like African Parks to improve infrastructure and increase visitor numbers. The ongoing efforts aim not only to protect the park’s biodiversity but also to ensure that it becomes economically self-sustaining through tourism revenue.
Still, Akagera National Park is relatively off-the-beaten-track destination.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is home to a variety of wildlife including the big five; lion, cape buffaloes, elephants, rhinos and leopards. “Akagera is the only place in Rwanda where you can see the iconic Big Five”. There are also various antelope species such as bushbucks and topis, and several primate species like olive baboons and vervet monkeys.
Akagera boasts 11 antelope species including waterbucks, topis, roan antelopes, Sitatunga (semi-aquatic), klipspringers, bushbucks, elands and impala being the most common.
Birdlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a birder’s paradise boasting over 520 bird species including the remarkable pre-historic shoebill, papyrus gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings. Squacco Herons, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Long-toed and Water Thick-knee.
Other bird species found in Akagera National Park include fish eagles, Cattle Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, Pied Crow, Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Caruther’s Cisticola among others.
Rwanda Safari Activities in Akagera National Park
Game Drives
Game viewing safaris are the main Rwanda safari experience to do in Akagera National Park done in custom-built safari vehicles in search of wildlife. Game drives in Akagera are offered as morning game drive running from 6:30 Am to 11:30 am, afternoon game drive from 12:00 pm to 5:00pm and night game drive from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
During game drives in Akagera expect to see a variety of wildlife species including African elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, black rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species like impalas and tops, hippos and crocodiles among others.
Best times for game drives in Akagera are early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler, and animals are more active. During these periods of the day, visitors have a higher chance of witnessing hunting behaviors and other natural activities.
Bird watching
With over 520 bird species recorded, Akagera National Park is a haven for birds, offering opportunities to see both residential and migratory bird species. Bird watching is done in company of a knowledgeable guides who can help identify species and provide insights into their behaviors and habitats.
Birds in Akagera are a mix of water birds found near lakes and wet lands, savannah species and forest birds. Notable bird species you will see on your Rwanda birding safari in Akagera National Park include Amur falcon, Beaudouin’s snake eagle, Black-crowned night heron, Blue-headed coucal, Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Blue-spotted wood dove, Marsh tchagra, Martial eagle, Moustached grass-warbler, Northern brown-throated weaver, Papyrus gonolek, Pennant-winged nightjar, Red-faced barbet, Red-winged francolin, Ring-necked francolin, Ross’s turaco, Ruaha chat, Rufous-bellied heron, Semi-collared flycatcher, Shelley’s francolin, Shoebill, Short-tailed pipit, Slate-coloured boubou, Slender-billed weaver, Sooty falcon, Souza’s shrike, Striped pipit, Tabora cisticola, Western reef heron, White-winged swamp warbler, Yellow-bellied eremomela and Yellow-throated leaf-love among others
Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
Boat safaris in Akagera National Park are done on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in the park. This scenic lake is surrounded by lush vegetation and is home to a variety of wildlife, making for an ideal setting for exploration.
Akagera boat trip offers a unique perspective on wildlife, allowing visitors to observe crocodiles, hippos and numerous water bird species up close. Also the boat ride offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including lush papyrus swamps, forested shorelines and open waters teeming with life.
Boat safaris on Lake Ihema are typically four scheduled trips each day that is Morning: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM, Late Morning: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Afternoon: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM and Sunset Cruise: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Each boat ride lasts about one hour.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing in Akagera is done on Lake Shakani, offering a unique and engaging experience for visitors combing the thrill of fishing with the opportunity to learn about local fishing methods and enjoy Akagera’s natural beauty.
Lake Shakani is the only destination in Rwanda designed for sport fishing. The lake is known for its gentle slopes, making it accessible for fishing while providing a scenic backdrop of the surrounding landscapes.
Common fish species targeted during sport fishing in Akagera include tilapia and catfish, which are abundant in Lake Shakani providing ample opportunities for successful catches. On this experience visitors can engage in various fishing methods including gill net method, cast net method, spearing and shooting and Lampara method.
Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a year round destination, however the best time to visit Akagera for game viewing is the dry season running from June to Early September and December to February. These periods offer the best wildlife viewing conditions due to thinner vegetation and animals congregate around water sources.
How to Get to Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is very accessible from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda and can be accessed either by road or air.
By Road: Driving from Kigali City is a drive of 2to 3 hours, approximately 110 kilometers on a well-maintained tarmac road for most of the journey, transitioning to a 28-kilometer dirt road leading directly to the park headquarters.
By Air: There are charter flights available from Kigali International Airport to Akagera, the flights are provided by Akagera Aviation and can significantly reduce travel time, offering a scenic aerial view of Rwanda’s scenic landscape.
Where to Stay in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park offers a range of accommodation options ranging from budget, midrange to luxury including
- Ruzizi Tented Lodge
- Magashi Camp
- Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
- Karenge Bush Camp
- Akagera Game Lodge
- Akagera Transit Lodge
