Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park – Rwanda Wildlife Tours Destination

Akagera National Park lies in Northeastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania. To get to this national park, you can spend about 2-3 hours driving and it is accessible through the Kiyonza gate. It is one of the magical wilderness areas travelers on Rwanda safari should consider a must-visit. Akagera National Park was established in 1934 and at the time of its establishment, it occupied an area of about 2500sq.kms. From 1997, its size decreased up to 1122sq.kms, featuring a vast savanna grassland, swamps, acacia woodland and small Lakes including Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakizinga, and Lake Gishanju. It derived its name from Akagera River which flows through it.

Wildlife Akagera National Park

A visit to Akagera National Park while on Rwanda safari never leaves nature lovers bored. This national park features a huge concentration of wildlife most of which can be spotted while you are on a game viewing tour. They include among others the African bush elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, antelopes (the elands, defassa water bucks, bush bucks, roan antelopes, topis), Masai giraffes, leopards, hyenas, side-striped jackal, mongoose as well as several species of primates including the olive blue monkeys, baboons and bush babies.

Birdlife in Akagera National Park

With over 550 bird species, Akagera National Park is one of the best birding sites any birder should consider a must-visit while on Rwanda safari. The notable bird species to look out in Akagera National Park include among others the African wattle lapwing, common Squacco heron, lappet-faced vulture, papyrus gonoleks, shoebill stork, short-tailed pipit, sooty falcon, yellow-bellied eremomela, woodland kingfisher, palm nut vulture, goliath heron, spur-winged goose, bare face go away bird, cattle egret, little bee-eater, helmeted guinea fowl, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, African darter, crowned lapwing, eastern grey plantain eater, white-winged swamp warbler, Shelley’s francolin, ring-necked francolins, striped pipit, red-winged francolin, osprey, pin tailed whydah, white-backed vulture, African fish eagle, lilac-breasted roller, black-headed weaver, African jacana, fork-tailed Drongo, saddle-billed stork, white-browed coucal, African grey hornbill, white-faced whistling duck, long-crested eagle.

Activities to do in Akagera National Park

Game drives

Game viewing in Akagera National Park is an exciting wildlife experience you shouldn’t miss while on safari in Rwanda. Game drives in this park can last for 2-3 hours and they are perfectly done in a classic 4×4 drive safari vehicle. You can choose to do a day game drive or a night game drive, each of these rewards travelers with distinct experiences. On a game drive in Akagera National Park, expect to see the African bush elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, antelopes (the elands, defassa water bucks, bush bucks, roan antelopes, topis), Masai giraffes, leopards, hyenas, side-striped jackal and variety of bird species. The night game lets you explore most of the park’s nocturnal species including leopards, hyenas, and civets. There are many game trails or loops where game drives are conducted in Akagera National Park. They include among others the giraffe area loop, Rurama, Nyamabuye lookout, Kitabili loop, Rwisirabo loop.

Birding

A birding tour in Akagera National Park lets you explore its diverse bird species such as the African wattle lapwing, common Squacco heron, lappet-faced vulture, papyrus gonoleks, shoebill stork, short-tailed pipit, sooty falcon, yellow-bellied eremomela, woodland kingfisher, palm nut vulture, goliath heron, spur-winged goose, bare face go away bird, cattle egret, little bee-eater, helmeted guinea fowl, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, African darter, crowned lapwing, eastern grey plantain eater, white-winged swamp warbler, Shelley’s francolin, ring-necked francolins, striped pipit, red-winged francolin, osprey, pin tailed whydah, white-backed vulture, African fish eagle, lilac-breasted roller, black-headed weaver, African jacana, fork-tailed Drongo, saddle-billed stork, white-browed coucal, African grey hornbill, white-faced whistling duck, long-crested eagle.

Boat cruise

A boat or Launch cruise in Akagera National Park lets you explore most of its aquatic life. Boat cruises in this park are best done on Lake Ihema and you get a chance to strike your eyes with hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and other savanna wildlife species.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing is such an amazing water spot experience you need not miss on Rwanda safari in Akagera National Park. It is best conducted on Lake Shakani.

Best time to visit Akagera National Park

Visiting Akagera National Park for a holiday can be done at any time of the year. Depending on your travel needs, game drives are best conducted during the dry season which occurs in June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. Birding in Akagera National Park is best done in the wet months of the year that is March, April, May, and October, November.

Where to stay in Akagera National Park

For visitor’s night stay in Akagera National Park, you can choose from the budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation options.
Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
Budget: Dereva hotel or camp in Shakani campsite, Mutamba campsite and Muyumba campsite.

How to get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is set in Northeastern Rwanda and it is reachable by road or by air. By road, it is approximately two and a half hours’ drive from Kigali capital city. The entry gate is about 500 meters from Akagera Game Lodge. To get to Akagera National Park, you require a comfortable 4×4 drive safari vehicle. Alternatively, you can also opt for flight services from Akagera Aviation.