Akagera National Park lies in the eastern part of Rwanda, about 110 km, a 2 ½ hour drive from Kigali, the city center, and shares border boundaries with Tanzania. This amazing wildlife park in Rwanda was gazetted in 1934 back during colonial times; its name was derived from the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and pours its waters into Lake Ihema and several other small lakes. The park covers an area of about 1,122 sq km. This park includes savannah, montane, and swamp habitats. Akagera National Park happens to have the largest protected wetland in East and Central Africa.
Attractions in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park happens to be Rwanda’s only wildlife park, with lots of game to encounter. Of these, you will see sitatunga, shoebill storks, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, topi, zebras, waterbuck, roan antelope, elands, duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck, and impalas. Akagera also has some primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and some bush babies that are often seen on night game drives, also some large predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and side-striped jackals, plus many bird species.
Game drives
Akagera National Park being the only wildlife park, both day and night game drives conducted within the park are quite awesome, as lots of wildlife will be spotted. On conducting day game drives, you will spot animals like giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, topis, zebras, bushbucks, African swallows, elands, mongooses, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, warthogs, and primates like baboons and vervet monkeys, whereas for a night game drive, expect to spot nocturnal animals and predators.
Birdwatching
Akagera National Park is an amazing birding haven with lots of bird species to spot out once you go birding in the park’s birding areas. Here you find bird species ranging from aquatic birds, forest birds, and migratory bird species to endemic bird species. Some rare bird species to spot out include the papyrus gonolex, red-faced barbets, swamp flycatchers, shoebill stork, African fish eagles, marabou stork, crowned cranes, open-billed stork, cormorants, herons, and egrets.
Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Boat cruise safaris in Rwanda take place on Lake Ihema, the largest lake among the many found in this country. A boat cruise will enable you to encounter lots of bird species like the rare shoebill storks, African fish eagles, and crowned cranes, and also aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles, plus many more animals. Other amazing activities to be conducted in Akagera National Park would include cultural tours, fishing experiences, and camping safaris.
Lodging & Accommodations
Akagera National Park is well stocked with awesome accommodation facilities that range from luxury to budget in order to suit your comfort, e.g., Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, and Karenge Bush Camp.
Getting there
Akagera National Park is 110km away from the capital city; hence, this park can be accessed via road transport by taking a 2:30-hour drive to the park from Kigali.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Akagera National Park would be during the long dry season that stretches from June to September, as you stand a higher chance of encountering lots of wildlife.