Akagera National Park - Wildlife tours to Rwanda: Rwanda Safaris

Akagera National park is the only protected area that protects the wildlife animals in Rwanda, and the best wildlife national park that is visited by travelers that wish to see the big five on short vacations like 2 Day Rwanda Wildlife Tour , 1 Day Wildlife Safari Rwanda with local experienced guides.

Akagera is one of the largest wildlife national parks in the Republic of Rwanda covering an area of approximately 1,122 square kilometers. The park is located in the eastern region of the country stretching along the international border with Tanzania. It was founded in 1934 and its known for encompassing a number of features like Savannah, montane and swamp habitats where various wildlife species habitat.

Akagera National park is named after River Kagera that flows along its eastern boundary pouring into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes. The park is blessed with spectacular wildlife species like giraffes, lions, hippos, zebras and others thus offering a number of safari experiences to the guests like game drives, boat cruise, community tours and birding.

Safari attractions in Akagera National park

With a total area of approximately 1,122 square kilometers, Akagera national park hosts several attractions that are interesting to see. Among these attractions include;

Wildlife species

Akagera national park is known as the only wildlife park in the Republic of Rwanda and it records over 8,000 animals and among these include; the Black Eastern Rhinos, lions, leopards, cape buffalos, African elephants, antelopes, impalas, Burchell’s zebras, hippos, waterbucks, Rothschild Giraffes and others.

Bird species

Encompassing different features like lakes, vegetation types such as savannah, montane and swamp habitats, Akagera national park is a home to over 500 bird species thus regarded as one of the birders’ paradises in Rwanda.  The birds in the park include both the endemic and epidemic species such as; the Raptors, rare shoebill stork, great sniper bird, Suaza shrike and others.

Water bodies

Akagera National park comprises of several water bodies that include about 10 swamp fringed lakes like Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakazinga, Lake Gishanju and Lake Mihindi. These lakes provide a clear view of numerous wildlife species like animals, birds, and reptiles. Among the most notable animals along these waterbodies include hippos, crocodiles, various fish species and elephants that come to quench their thirst. Another waterbody at the park is River Akagera that flows through its eastern boundary. The shores of the river also attract a number of wildlife species and beautiful bird species like the shoe bills and others.

Safari activities in Akagera national park

During a Rwanda tour to Akagera national park, get a great opportunity of making your safari more memorable and adventurous by taking part in different safari activities like game drives, nature walks, hiking, birding, boat cruises and others.

Game drives

Explore Akagera national park’s splendid and rich nature by having a game drive through its trails. The park conducts two game drives that is the morning game drive and night game drive. During this activity, entice your eyes with the amazing vegetation cover of the park as you sight different wildlife including the giraffes, elephants, hyenas, kobs, impalas, sitatunga, jackals plus beautiful and colorful bird species.

Boat cruise

Akagera national park is a home to about 10 lakes though boat cruise experience is mainly done on Lake Ihema. While on a boat cruise, explore the amazing surroundings of the park plus the park features like vegetation types, wildlife species and birds. Among the animals to watch during the experience include numerous hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and others as they quench their thirst. The experience is scheduled four times a day and every session take 2 hours.

Bird watching

Akagera national park is a home to over 500 bird species including the endemic and epidemic species. Among the birds that are recorded in the park include the rare shoebill stock, white egrets, marabou stock, the yellow bird, grey crowned crested crane, swamp fly catchers and others.

Nature walks

Explore the beauty of the park on foot as you hike through its rainforests getting a chance to view its amazing floral and faunal species like birds, trees, insects, butterflies, plants and others.

Community or village walks

Get a chance of associating with the local people in the communities that are near the park. Learn more about the Rwanda culture like the dances, folk songs, traditional stories, and also their arts and crafts. These local visits will get one to the local farms of the local people and be taught how to milk the cows as well as making the local ghee.

Best time to visit Akagera national park

Akagera national park can be visited all year around but the best time is during the dry season which is between June and September.

The park is home to the 'Big 5' - lion, black rhino, buffalo, elephant, and leopard. Other species include a variety of antelope, giraffe, monkeys, zebra, hyaenas, and many smaller carnivore species.