Akagera National Park is located in the Northeastern part of the Republic Rwanda along Rwanda’s boundary with Tanzania and is on an area of 1,200 square kilometers (120,000 ha) in eastern Rwanda, along the Tanzanian border. The north of Akagera is mostly fairly low-lying grasslands and savannah plains, similar in feel to the ‘traditional’ safari areas of East Africa.
Wildlife
Notable plains game includes elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope are duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala. Of the primates, olive baboons, vervets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with bush babies often seen on night drives. Of the larger predator’s leopard, hyena, side-striped jackal and lion, which was re-introduced last year are present.
Things to do in Akagera National Park
Bird watching
On an Rwanda Safari, birders who visit Akagera National Park are always impressed by what they find mostly the many bird species that range from water to forest and also savannah as well as the migratory bird species and many of these are endemic to the park and are so rare like the papyrus gonolex which is found in the papyrus swamps. There are also the localized red faced barbets, and the swamp fly catcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork all found in Akagera National park. Short boat trips are available on Akagera’s lakes which will give you the opportunity to get close to the plentiful waterbirds including numerous African fish eagles, marabou stork, crowned cranes, open-billed stork, cormorants, herons and egrets. If you are lucky you may even get to see the elusive shoebill stork.
Game drive
Game viewing is one of the main activities in Akagera national park which to feel the nature of the park and offers you scenery view with the beauty of the park which can’t seen anywhere irrespective of the size and the national park is surely being recognized. Within short time, you will be able to see the giraffes, Impalas, Topis, the Zebras, bush bucks, African swallows, eland, the vervet monkeys, warthogs, baboons, Mongoose, the hippos, the crocodiles, as well as the elephants. There are over 120 elephants in the park and the other mammals also include; the fefassa waterbuck, the oribi, reedbucks, the roan antelopes, sable, buffalos and many more. The most fantastic drive from the south to the north in a day will give you many animals to view to be able to keep give you a great adventurous experience as well as the most magnificent views from the top of the mountain across lake Ihema towards Tanzania.
Boat cruise
You can as well take a boat safari with in Akagera Park which is the best way to see the various water birds are during our interesting short Akagera Boat Tours. As a result you will have an opportunity to closely observe these birds to include; the rare shoebill storks, African fish eagles, crowned cranes and marabou storks. On another hard you will see many hippos and crocodiles. This boat cruise will give you a chance to have a good view of more game which includes elephants, buffalos, and these will gather at the banks in order to drink water.
The Cultural tours
In partnership between the park and the local communities, the freelance community guides have also organized for some interesting safaris as well as cultural adventures for park visitors to participate in. there are also 4 choices; the Heritage which is the culture of cattle, the local production that’s beers and the bees, arts and crafts as well as the celebration which is food and festivities. Each of these safaris give a glance into the life in communities around the park
Fishing
Such an activity is done on Lake Shakani the site of sports fishing in the park; spend a relaxing day fishing off the lake shore and then cook your catch over an open fire at the campsite. Where you can come with own gear or rent from the park where you can fish for the whole day from the shores of Lake Shakani as you experience in different methods of fishing Hooking, The Gill nesting, The Lam, The Spearing and shooting method, Cast net, The Scoop net, The Spearing and shooting method. While here, remember the hippos also stay in the water during the day as well as the banks of the shores are also gently sloped you can see any crocodile that is approaching before they consume you. This means that there is nothing to worry about as you are fishing.
Campsites in Akagera National park
There are three campsites that offer basic facilities for the overnight stays within the park, each campsite has its uneasiness and memorable camping adventure experience depending which camp you have gone for. They are three in numbers which are Muyumbu, Shakani and Mutamba Akagera Campsite.
Where to stay
Akagera National Park has beautiful and international standard of accommodation which are Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp Akagera
How to get there
Akagera national park is located in the north Eastern region of Rwanda about 110 kn from Kigali the capital of Rwanda, which is about a 2 ½ hour drive. It is beautiful park with lush green scenery and lots of wildlife and birds to see.