Tourist Attractions in Akagera National Park
Are you planning to visit Rwanda for a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park? Here are some of the top attractions you can expect to see during your safari. Akagera National Park offers a peaceful wilderness experience, making it ideal destinations for a wildlife safari. It is the only game Park in Rwanda where you can do wildlife viewing. The Park was gazetted in 1934 and covers an area of about 1,122 sq. km, making its the largest savannah area in Rwanda. The park provides a chance to see the Big Five wildlife species such as elephants, buffalos, leopards, lions and rhinos. This stunning park is encompassing of savannah, montane and swamp habitats. The park is named for the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. The complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps makes up over a third of the park, which is the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa. There are about 480 bird species in Akagera National Park.
Top Tourist Attractions in Akagera National Park
Animals of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is the only national park in Rwanda where you can enjoy the game drive safaris to see the Big Five wildlife species such as elephants, buffalos, leopards, lions and rhinos. Other wildlife that you can film include includes Maasai giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, warthog, olive baboon, vervet monkey, hippo, impala, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, common duiker, eland, topi, Bohor reedbuck, oribi, roan antelope, klipspringer and the secretive semi-aquatic sitatunga. Spotted hyena, genet, civet, white-tailed mongoose, bush baby, elephant-shrew and various species of owl and nightjar are often seen on night drives which you can opt to have night productions as well.
Birdlife of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park offers an exceptional experience with a range of habitats that include savannahs and lowlands. The park’s rich diversity is evident in its more than 525 bird species, making it a haven for bird enthusiasts. Bird watching activities in Akagera national park are done from the different birding spots within the park. The activity is done with the help of a ranger guide who takes the birders to different areas of the park where birds concentrate as they also protect them from the dangerous wild animals During a birding safari in Akagera, visitors can observe a variety of savannah and lowland birds, including several species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Notable sightings include Amur falcon, hamerkop, African jacana, blue-shouldered robin-chat, beaudouin’s snake eagle, African grey hornbill, booted eagle, cardinal woodpecker, browned-chested lapwing, grey crowned crane, cabanis’s bunting, carruther’s cisticola, white-faced whistling duck, goliath heron, black-headed weaver, denham’s bustard, eleonora’s falcon, blue checked bee-eater, dimorphic egret, red-faced barbet, and yellow-billed eremomela.
Other bird species in Akagera national park include white-winged swamp warbler, helmeted guinea fowl, papyrus gonolek, souza’s shrike, tabora cisticola, red-winged francolin, crested barbet, grasshopper buzzard, dimorphic egret, stripped pipit, common squacco heron, northern brown-throated weaver, grey-backed fiscal, sooty falcon, palm nut vulture and more.
Lake Ihema
Lake Ihema is situated in the southern part of Akagera National Park and is fed by a tributary of the Akagera River, which supplies water to several lakes within the park. It is recognized as the largest lake in the park, with three main branches that feed into the Kagera River: the Nyabugogo branch, the Muhanga branch, and the Muhanga River. The lake stretches approximately 50 kilometres in length and reaches depths of about 30 meters. Its rich biodiversity includes over 155 bird species, among them the endangered shoe-bill stork, woodland kingfisher, palm-nut vulture, white-browed coucal, great egret, white-backed vultures, eastern grey plantain-eater, lilac-breasted roller, crowned lapwing. Around the lake, extensive papyrus marshes are home to a variety of bird species, hippos, buffalos, and other wildlife. These marshes also serve as important bird sanctuaries within the park, making the area a prime spot for birdwatching. Visiting Lake Ihema by boat offers a scenic experience and the opportunity to observe numerous aquatic animals, adding to its appeal as a natural wonder in the region.
Game drives /wildlife viewing
Akagera National Park is a premier holiday destination in Rwanda, renowned for its exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities that are a key part of an African safari experience. The park has regained its status as a habitat for the Big Five, following the successful reintroduction of seven lions in 2015, which bred successfully and doubled their numbers within a year. In 2017, 18 Eastern black rhinos were also introduced to the park. The larger predators in Akagera include leopards, hyenas, and side-striped jackals. The plains are inhabited by a variety of animals such as elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Additional antelope species like e duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala can also be seen. The park is home to primates including as vervet monkeys, Anubis baboons, olive baboon, blue monkeys, and bush babies among others, which are often observed during the day. Night drives frequently reveal bush babies, adding to the diverse wildlife experience in Akagera.
Cultural and community Experiences
Experiencing the African community will enrich your holiday, offering a chance to immerse yourself in the traditions and cultures of the local people. You can learn about milking cows and traditions around cattle and milk on a farm in the Eastern Province; or spend time with banana beer and honey artisans to see how local products are made. All proceeds from these visits are shared with the community members you engage with, ensuring that your experience also benefits the local people.
What to pack for a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park?
when panning to embark on a Rwanda safari in Akagera National Park. You have to think about what you need to have the best of their safari and this is what we think shouldn’t miss on your packing list. Some of the essential items includes a pair of binoculars, a camera, drinking water bottle, waterproof hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellents, rain jacket, long-sleeved clothes, face mask, sanitizer, energy-giving snacks. For those embarking on birding safari, remember to pack birding books and more.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park on your holiday
There are numerous accommodation options in and around Akagera National Park, ensuring that birders visiting for a safari in the park have a variety of places to stay. Some of the facilities available include Karenge Bush Camp, Magashi Safari Camp, Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Akarenge Game Lodge, Magashi Tented Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Vintage Cottages, Akarenge Game Lodge, Akagera Resort and Country Club, Nyagasambu Real Beach Hotel Akagera Rhino Lodge among others.
