Akagera National Park: Located in the Eastern region of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is one of the 4 national parks in Rwanda and is the only savannah park. The park stretches along the border of Tanzania and Rwanda covering an area of 1,122 square kilometers with three habitats namely savannah, mountain and Swamp.
The Park gets its name from Akagera River which flows through the park, Akagera River is considered to be one of the remote sources of River Nile – the longest river in the world. This river also feeds the extensive lake system dotted around the floor of the Park including Lake Ihema which is the second largest lake in Rwanda.
Akagera is not only the “only savannah park in Rwanda” but also the largest national park in Rwanda supporting several species of flora and fauna thriving in the savannah habitats. The landscape of the park comprises of remarkable rolling hills dotted by Brachystegia and acacia woodland intercepted by the patches of open grasslands and a chain of lakes which are fringed by swamps.
One of the hills dominating the landscape of the park is the Mutumba Hills stretching to the elevation of 2,000m, the hills boast scenic views of lakes, rivers, swamps and open plains below.
The extensive systems of freshwater coupled by papyrus swamps form one of the extensive wetland systems in Central Africa, it is also the largest protected wetland in Central Africa.
History of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park was first established as a national park in 1934 and a size of 2,500 square kilometers, after the horrific Rwanda civil war. The park was faced by encroachment by the refugees of the war, some of the land of the park was offered to the Rwandan refugees who were just returning home after the war.
The encroachment also affected the ecosystem in the park as various wildlife went extinct and several trees were cut down by the locals as timber and firewood.
In the process of enriching the park, a re– introduction of wildlife species was started by the park’s management. Some of the animals re-introduced into the park include 7 lions from South Africa and Beyond Phinda Reserve and the Tembe Elephant Reserve and arrived in the park in July 2015, Masai Giraffes, seven Black rhinos and elephants were re-introduced into the park.
ATTRACTIONS IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife
Akagera National Park boasts a wide range of wildlife including the Africa Big Five that is lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, elephants and rhinos. Other animals thriving in Akagera National Park include roan antelopes, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles and several antelope species including the Cape eland – the world largest antelope, bushbucks, Topis, Oribis, water-buck, roan antelope and duiker, klipspringer and impala.
Also, there are common primate species including olive baboons, blue monkeys, bush babies among others.
Birdlife
Akagera National Park is one of the important birding areas in Rwanda boasting over 500 bird species which include 44 species of raptors, Zambezian Biome species such as Myrmecocichla arnotti, Lanius souzae and Cisticila angusticauda and 7 Afro-tropical Highland biome species.
Birds in Akagera include shoebill, papyrus Gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons, African Open bill stock, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Long-toed andWater Thick-knee, fish eagles, Cattle Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and Pied Crow. Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Caruther’s Cisticola among others.
Safari Activities to do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Akagera National Park is the only Rwanda safari destination where game viewing/game drives is possible, game drives are the best way to explore the park from a comfort of a safari vehicle with a pop – up roof.
Game drives in Akagera are done in three sessions that is morning game drives running from 06:30 am to 11:30 am, afternoon game drive from 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm and night game drives from 05:30 pm to 09:30 pm in the dark hours of the night.
Game drives are done on several trails running through the park, some of the animals to lookout for include lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, warthogs and elands among others.
Birding
Akagera National Park is a great destination to do birding safari in Rwanda, the park is home to over 500 bird species which make it a haven for bird enthusiasts.
Birding in Akagera is done with a help of an experienced birder and some of the birds to lookout for including papyrus gonolek, shoebill, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons, African Open bill stock, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Long-toed andWater Thick-knee, fish eagles, Cattle Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and Pied Crow. Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Caruther’s Cisticola among others.
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
Boat safari is one of the best activities to do in Akagera National Park and is done on Lake Ihema which covers an area surface of 90 kilometers and a depth of 5-7 meters, the lake is fed by the Akagera river.
A boat safari on Lake Ihema lasts for about 1 – 3 hours and as you sail on the calm waters, lookout for water birds such as papyrus Gonolek, Jacanas, herons, remarkable shoebill, sandpipers, Malachite Kingfisher and hawk among others in the swamps along the shores, hippos and crocodiles in the waters and elephants and buffaloes drinking water along the shores.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is one of the entertaining activities to do on a Rwanda Safari in Akagera e on Lake Shekani – one of the lakes found in the park. To do sport fishing, you need to book with the park prior, visitors have an opportunity to take the catch as a trophy for a meal, that is if you are interested.
Cultural Tours
Cultural tours in Akagera National Park takes you on a visit to the communities near Akagera National Park known as cattle herding settlement, on the visit you will have a deeper insight into the life of the local people, participate in traditional cattle grazing, milking and storage of milk in calabashes for preservation.
Also, you will witness a process of transforming milk into various products such as traditional yoghurt and glee, you will also be entertained by local dances and drama, taste of the local cuisines among others.
How to get to Akagera National Park
The best option to get to Akagera is by road, from Kigali City it is a drive of 2 hours to get to the park’s Southern gate through Rwamagana town. The Southern gate is the only entrance gate to the park and the Northern Gate is used only for exit.
There is an option of flying to Akagera National Park using charter flights by Akagera Aviation.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park
Unlike other national parks in Rwanda, Akagera National Park has limited accommodation facilities. The available accommodations are categorized as luury, midrange and budget.
