Akagera National Park - Rwanda Wildlife Safari Destination

Akagera National Park is strategically set in Eastern Rwanda, about 2 and half hours’ drive from Kigali capital city. It is the only savanna safari park in Rwanda and also a home to complete big five African game which makes it an outstanding destination worth exploring while on Rwanda safaris. Akagera National Park was set as a national park in 1934 and it occupies an area of about 1122sq.kms, composing of a vast savanna grassland, montane habitats, swamps where a huge profusion of wildlife are inhabited.

This safari park takes its name from River Kagera that flows through it and also feeds other numerous lakes in including Lake Ihema, Lake Gishanju, Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakizinga and Lake Mihindi. It features numerous habitats ranging from savanna grassland to forests where variety of its wildlife are confined.

The history of Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is one of the leading and ancient Rwanda safari parks in Africa and its history dates back to 1934 when it was established as a national park. originally, it was under the control of Belgian government and at the time, it occupied an area of about 2500sq.kms prior its reduction to 1125sq.kms in 1997.

Akagera National Park was famous for its numerous African wild dogs but there was decrease in their number which came as a result of epidemic disease outbreak in 1984. Later in 1957, black rhinos were introduced into this protected area from Tanzania however, approximately of over 50 of these creatures were able to survive up to the 1970s. The rhino population also began to decrease due to poaching and in 1986, the Masai giraffes were transferred from Kenya to Akagera National Park. In 1990, an estimate of about 300 lions were also transferred to this park.

A 20-year renewable agreement was signed between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the African Parks Network to collaboratively manage Akagera National Park. This resulted into formation of Akagera Management Company in 2010 and in 2015, an estimate of 7 lions from South Africa were transferred to Akagera National Park. In 2017, over 20 rhinos were re-introduced into the park and today, Akagera National Park is undoubtedly one of the most explored safari destinations by tourists on Rwanda safaris.

Tourist attractions in Akagera National Park

Wildlife in Akagera National Park

Wildlife make up Akagera National Park’s main tourist attractions thus making it an outstanding Rwanda safaris destination. The numerous species of wildlife to expect to see in this safari park include hyenas, side striped jackals, lions, rhinos, hippos, zebras, leopards, the Masai giraffes, antelopes like impalas, elands, reedbucks, waterbucks, roan antelopes; crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, primates including bush babies, baboons, blue monkeys and a lot more.

Birds in Akagera National Park

An estimate of about 550 avifaunal species are confined in different habitats of Akagera National Park and this makes it one of the best bird-watching tour destinations. The distinct birds to expect to spot in this safari park include among others African jacana, fork tailed Drongo, saddle billed stork, white browed coucal, short tailed pipit, sooty falcon, yellow bellied eremomela, woodland kingfisher, palm nut vulture,, bare face go away bird, cattle egret helmeted guinea fowl, white winged swamp warbler, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, African grey hornbill, white faced whistling duck, long crested eagle, African wattle lapwing, common Squacco heron, little bee-eater, red winged francolin, osprey, pin tailed whydah, white backed vulture, African fish eagle, African darter, lilac breasted roller, black headed weaver, goliath heron, spur winged goose, crowned lapwing, striped pipit, shoebill stork, lappet faced vulture, papyrus gonoleks, eastern grey plantain eater, Shelley’s francolin, ring necked francolins.

Safari activities to do in Akagera National Park

Game drives in Akagera National Park

Most tourists on Rwanda tours to Akagera National Park for game viewing. Game drives are best conducted in a 4×4 safari car with a pop up which lets you to have exceptional view of wildlife including hyenas, side striped jackals, lions, rhinos, hippos, zebras, leopards, the Masai giraffes, antelopes like impalas, elands, reedbucks, waterbucks, roan antelopes, elephants, buffaloes as well as bird species. A game drive in this safari park can last between 2- and 3-hours’ drive. You can go either for day or a night game drive.

Boat cruise in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is best to explore on Rwanda safaris while on a boat cruise. This water sport takes you through Lake Ihema. A boat cruise/launch trip along Lake Ihema lets you catch a glimpse at crocodiles, hippos, water birds including the shoebill stork and several other wildlife species along the lake shores.

Birding in Akagera National Park

Bird watching in Akagera National Park involves sighting bird species such the fork tailed Drongo, saddle billed stork, white browed coucal, short tailed pipit, sooty falcon, yellow bellied eremomela, woodland kingfisher, palm nut vulture,, bare face go away bird, cattle egret helmeted guinea fowl, white winged swamp warbler, grey crowned crane, marabou stork, African grey hornbill, white faced whistling duck, long crested eagle, African wattle lapwing, common Squacco heron, little bee-eater, red winged francolin, osprey, pin tailed whydah, white backed vulture, African fish eagle, African darter, lilac breasted roller, black headed weaver, goliath heron, spur winged goose, crowned lapwing, striped pipit, shoebill stork, lappet faced vulture, papyrus gonoleks, eastern grey plantain eater, Shelley’s francolin, ring necked francolins to mention but a few.

Sport fishing in Akagera National Park

Sport fishing is another most amazing tour activity tourists on Rwanda safaris can take part in Akagera National Park. It is conducted on Lake Shakani and it a catch and release experience.

Cultural tour in Akagera National Park

Cultural tour is one best way to make your visit in Akagera National Park unforgettable. It is an exceptional way to explore and experience about the actual Rwandan life, traditions, enjoy the amazing dances and music performances.

When to visit Akagera National Park

The ideal time to visit Akagera National Park is usually around the dry months of the year which commence in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. These are the perfect months to go for game viewing in Akagera National Park. Birding tours area best done in the rainy months of the year that is March, April, May and October, November.

Where to stay in Akagera National Park

Luxury options: Ruzizi Tented Camp, Magashi Lodge

Mid-range lodges: Akagera Game Lodge

Budget: Dereva Hotel, Camping in Muyumba campsite, Mutamba campsite and Shakani campsite.

How to get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is accessible either by road or by air. By road, it can take you about 2-3 hours to drive from Kigali capital city of Rwanda to this safari park which is set in eastern side of the country. It should be noted that the Southern gate is entry point to the park and exit gate is the Northern gate. By air, you can take a flight from Kigali airport using Akagera aviation.