How to get Akagera National Park Rwanda
How to get Akagera National Park Rwanda: Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier wildlife safari location, can be reached via plane or road transportation. The primary access point to Tanzania is Kigali International Airport, which accommodates multiple foreign airlines, including SN Brussels, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Burundi, and RwandAir Express. Kigali Airport is situated around 10 kilometers from Kigali, serving as the commencement point for your travel to Akagera.
Akagera National Park is situated in the northeastern area of Rwanda, approximately 110 kilometers from Kigali, the capital city, requiring a trip of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The park features verdant landscapes and abundant fauna and avian species. The use of transportation methods is wonderful; yet, certain roadways exhibit potholes, although this should not discourage you from undertaking the journey. Of the 110 kilometers from Kigali, 28 kilometers consist of roads, primarily unpaved, which applies to all roads within the park as well. We advise utilizing a 4×4 Safari vehicle, particularly if you are visiting the park during the wet season.
How to get Akagera National park Rwanda, Additionally, one can commence the Akagera safari from Kigali city and subsequently drive out of town towards Kigali Airport. Prior to arriving at the airport, proceed approximately 100 meters and then make a left turn. Subsequently, proceed eastward towards Rwamagana. Proceed via Rwamagana to Kayanza. Upon reaching Kayanza, make a right turn at the roundabout and continue until you reach a dissenter station on the left side of the road as you enter the town of Kabarondo. Be advised, there are unpaved roads beyond the petrol station. Subsequently, make a left turn onto that road and continue for approximately 15 kilometers until you reach a crossroads at Rwinkwavu. Remarkably, a sign indicating “Akagera National Park” will be visible on the left. The park gates are located around 13 kilometers beyond the marker.
We advise tourists to utilize a 4×4 vehicle, which may be coordinated through your preferred safari operator. Reputable tour companies typically offer both a driver and a guide. You may choose to self-drive by utilizing GPS for convenient navigation within the park. Numerous safari companies in Rwanda provide access to exceptional lodges in Kigali. You can organize a three-day safari trip to Akagera National Park.
How to get to Akagera National Park?
Akagera National Park is inhabited by a diverse array of wildlife species that occupy the open savannah grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. These species include various antelopes such as impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, and oribis, as well as giraffes, warthogs, zebras, olive baboons, and the “Big Five”: lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and rhinos, among others.
Activities in Akagera National Park include boat trips, fishing at Lake Ihema, camping, community engagement, cultural experiences, birdwatching, and game drives, among others.
The game drive constitutes the second activity undertaken during the Rwanda Safari tour, as the park is inhabited by over 8,000 wildlife species, including elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, lions, and various other species such as Burchell’s zebra, giraffes, antelopes, impalas, Topi, sitatunga, jackals, and hyenas, among others. An option is available for a midnight game drive, allowing exploration of nocturnal fauna such as lions, civets, hyenas, bush babies, leopards and servals, among others. Akagera National Park is situated in eastern Rwanda, encompassing 1,122 square kilometers along the international border with Tanzania. The park was established in 1934 by the Belgian administration, which was then based in Rwanda.
What is the best to visit Akagera National Park
The best time to visit Akagera National Park is influenced by its weather; located at 2° south of the Equator, Rwanda’s elevated terrain results in moderate temperatures that rarely reach extremes. The diurnal temperature fluctuates between 22°C and 27°C, whilst nocturnal temperatures decrease to a range of 16°C to 21°C. The elevated regions also get frost on certain days.
The country undergoes dry seasons from July to September and in January. During the rainy season, the country experiences substantial precipitation almost daily. Nevertheless, once the downpour concludes, the remainder of the day is typically bright and sunny. The optimal period to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry season. It is advisable to avoid the rainy months of March, April, and December, as many routes within the park become muddy, necessitating the use of capable 4×4 safari vehicles. However, this does not imply that it rains constantly, although many visitors continue to travel during the wet season. The quantity of creatures remains observable.
Weather Conditions and Climate of Rwanda
We have provided a summary of Rwanda’s overall weather and climate. Rwanda is situated at a high altitude, characterized by a pleasant tropical highland climate and abundant rainfall. Temperatures around the country vary significantly based on height. The average temperature in the capital city, Kigali, is 21°C.
Rwanda experiences prolonged rainfall from March to May, characterized by steady and substantial precipitation. The prolonged dry season commences in June and extends until mid-September. This period is considered optimal for visiting Rwanda for a safari, as wildlife is easily observable near water sources.
Short Rains occur from October to November, after a brief dry season from December to February. Due to climatic changes, we see precipitation even during the arid months. Clients should consistently be prepared for any weather conditions throughout the year. Consequently, before traveling, it is prudent to consult your travel agency. Akagera is accessible throughout the year; nevertheless, it is advisable to utilize a robust 4×4 safari vehicle during the wet season to navigate the challenging road conditions effectively.