Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera National Park; Akagera National Park is a highly frequented savannah national park situated in the eastern portion of Rwanda, close to the border with Tanzania. The national park was established in 1934 and encompasses a total area of 1,200 square kilometers. Akagera National Park derives its name from the Kagera River and serves as a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife species, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, bushbucks, impalas, zebras, giraffes, leopards, rhinos, waterbucks, reedbucks, oribi, crocodiles, hippos, bush pigs, klipspringer, hyenas, warthogs, and over 500 avian species, such as the elusive shoebill stork, grey crowned crane, African fish eagle, and papyrus gonolek, between others.
Game drives constitute the primary activity in Akagera National Park, offering visitors the chance to traverse the savannah plains in a comfortable pop-up safari vehicle accompanied by a trained driver-guide. Game drives in Akagera National Park can be conducted early in the morning at approximately 7:00 AM, when animals exhibit heightened activity, or in the afternoon. During the game drives, you will have the opportunity to observe various animals, including the Big Five mammals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. Additionally, you may encounter other species such as impalas, topis, elands, bushbucks, zebras, giraffes, oribis, reedbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs, among others.
Akagera National Park provides nocturnal game drives, allowing visitors to explore the park at night with a knowledgeable ranger and spotlight lamps for optimal observation of nocturnal wildlife. The nocturnal game drive in Akagera National Park, lasting approximately 2 to 3 hours, offers the opportunity to observe nocturnal fauna such as lions, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, civets, genets, bush babies, mongooses, nightjars, as well as hippos feeding at night and other species like bush pigs, bushbucks, impalas, buffaloes, topis, and waterbucks in repose.
When is the best Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is accessible year-round; however, the optimal period for game drives is during the dry season, specifically in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During these months, reduced rainfall results in shorter vegetation, facilitating clearer views of various animals. In the dry season, several animals congregate around water sources, providing an opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife. The game drive routes within the park will be arid and navigable, facilitating effortless game drives.
Accommodation for your safari in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park offers various accommodation options, including budget, mid-range, and luxury facilities for your safari. Notable establishments include Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp, Akagera Transit Lodge, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Akagera Resort and Country Club, Akagera Safari Camp, Vintage Cottages, Nyagasambu Realm Beach Hotel, Dereva Hotel, and Lake Shakani Campsite, among others.
Additional activities in Akagera National Park
In addition to game drives, Akagera National Park provides a variety of engaging activities during your Rwanda safari, including bird watching, where one can observe diverse species such as the shoebill stork, Chapin’s flycatcher, Rwenzori batis, African darter, black-headed weaver, and strange weaver. Other activities include a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to view hippos and crocodiles, guided nature walks for on-foot exploration of the park, sport fishing along the shores of Lake Shakani to catch various fish species like tilapia and catfish, and cultural tours to interact with local communities and learn about their traditions, cuisine, and dances.
Other things to do in Akagera National Park
Prominent Tourist Activities in Akagera National Park: Rwanda boasts numerous attractions that captivate tourists globally, encouraging them to explore various sites and engage in diverse activities throughout the country. Tourists from around the globe partake in various activities, including gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, genocide tours, hiking the Virunga Mountains, chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, birdwatching, and tracking the Big Five in Akagera National Park. Akagera National Park is renowned as the sole park in Rwanda where tourists can track the Big Five animals, a significant draw for visitors. However, the park offers more than just this experience; it provides a variety of activities and attractions that enhance the tourism experience, ensuring a rewarding safari in Rwanda.
Boat Cruise
Embark on a remarkable and tranquil adventure by participating in various boat cruises on Lake Ihema for an exceptional experience. Based on your preferences, you may participate in several sessions of the boat cruise by selecting either the morning boat cruise or the evening game drives, all of which will guarantee an exceptional experience in Akagera National Park. During the morning boat cruise in Akagera National Park, tourists will have the opportunity to observe various early risers in the park as they partake in their first meal of the day. This experience allows for the observation of wildlife interactions, which is both rewarding and memorable. Visitors may also witness hippos bathing in the lake, elephants drinking from the shore, water birds hunting for prey, and numerous other fascinating wildlife species.
During the nighttime boat ride, you will observe various wildlife species consuming their final meal of the day before retreating to their shelters in anticipation of the next day. The pinnacle of the evening boat cruise on Lake Ihema is the stunning sunset, which offers a serene atmosphere while observing various wildlife species, including carnivores hunting for their evening meal, thereby creating an extraordinary experience that ranks among the premier tourism activities in Akagera National Park.
Bird watching
Akagera National Park is one of the premier birdwatching locations in Rwanda and a major tourism site that visitors should not overlook, as it is among the country’s foremost avian hotspots
Birds Observation in Akagera National Park Akagera National Park hosts various aquatic avifauna and migratory European bird species observable during birdwatching activities. The park is home to various bird species, including the African Darter, African Wattled Lapwing, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Common Squacco Heron, Crowned Lapwing, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Great Egret, White-breasted Cormorant, Pied Kingfisher, Osprey, Double-tooth Barbet, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Familiar Chat, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Spot-flanked Barbet, and Shoebill Stork, among others, providing a rewarding experience in the country.