Boat cruise on Lake Ihema in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park

For those seeking the finest wildlife safari in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the ideal location. The national park has moved over its terrible past of mishandled restoration efforts, destroyed forests, and wiped out several animal species. Currently, a wide variety of species, including the highly sought-after Big Five, may be found in Akagera National Park. In addition to over 8,000 massive creatures, including over 80 giraffes, 22 lions, and over 100 African bush elephants, the park is home to over 500 different species of birds. The national park offers visitors peaceful camping, hiking and nature walks, fishing, night time and daytime wildlife drives, and bird watching excursions. In addition, visitors to Akagera National Park can take boat cruises. The lakes and nearby islands inside the national park are open for exploration, as is the wildlife that calls the lakeshore and lake waters home.

Rwanda is a landlocked nation in East Africa that is well-known for its varied fauna and stunning scenery. Getting on a boat and cruising through the seas abounding in animals is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the nation. Boat trips, sometimes referred to as Rwanda boat excursions, offer a distinctive approach to take in the breathtaking landscape and fauna of the nation. In Rwanda, boat trips give visitors the chance to experience parts of the aquatic and avian life that are not always visible during game drives or long safari drives.

Lake Ihema is the location of most boat cruises offered by Akagera. Situated in the southern region of the national park, this lake is among the ten largest in the area. The surface area of Lake Ihema is around 90 square kilometres, and its depth ranges from 5 to 7 metres. The easternmost point of the lake is where Rwanda and Tanzania meet. The famous River Kagera, which supplies most of the lakes in the national park, feeds the lake.

Take a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to explore the diverse fauna that resides there. In Akagera National Park, tourists can see crocodiles and hippos while on a boat excursion on Lake Ihema. It is often known that there are more hippos in the lake than anywhere else in East Africa. A wide range of bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, jacanas, herons, sandpipers, malachite kingfisher, and hawk, are also visible to visitors.

Situated in Akagera National Park, one of Rwanda’s most renowned safari sites, Lake Ihema is a well-liked boat cruise destination. This stunning lake is the second largest in the nation, with an area of over 90 square kilometres. A boat tour in Lake Ihema provides a singular and unforgettable experience, with plenty of chances to capture your memories while taking in views of various fauna and birdlife. When organising Rwanda Boat Safaris and Boat Trips, Lake Ihema ought to be at the top of your list of destinations.

After your private guide drives you to the jetty, you will be escorted by a guide from Akagera National Park, who will stay with you for the duration of your boat tour on Lake Ihema. The guide will give you a complete instruction and safety briefing before you set out on the lake. Furthermore, a cooler box with soft drinks and drinking water will be carried by your guide. It is possible to schedule private travel. One of the main hazards in Lake Ihema is the abundance of water hyacinth. Many birds and aquatic animals are in danger of dying because of the water hyacinth in the lake. Both the water’s quality and the ease with which boats may navigate the lake are impacted by water hyacinth.

The majority of the marshes in Akagera National Park and the Akagera River, also called the Kagera River, are connected to the lake. At Lake Ihema, boat trips are scheduled four times a day at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Most boat tours are scheduled. For individuals who prefer private tours, the national park offers unscheduled boat cruises.

Although boat tours in Rwanda offer a different kind of experience, primate safaris—which provide chances for hiking and wildlife viewing in the nation’s four national parks—are Rwanda’s most well-known feature. In addition to giving you a chance to witness rare bird species and wildlife, they also give you a chance to unwind and recuperate from the strenuous wildlife adventures and trekking.