Akagera National Park is a conservation area located in the northeastern part of Rwanda, near the border with Tanzania, established in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government, making it one of the oldest national parks in Africa. Named after the Akagera River, which flows along the eastern boundary of the park and feeds into several lakes within the area, including Lake Ihema.
Akagera Park covers over 2,500 km2 and is unique for its diversity of ecosystems, ranging from savannah plains, woodlands, and swamps to a series of lakes, wetlands, and surrounded by cultivated hills, making all this quite beautiful.
Akagera National Park has 10 lakes registered that are located within the park boundaries, and they are Lake Ihema, Hago, Mihindi, Rwanyakizinga, Gishanju, Kivimba, Murambya, Murambi, Shakani, and Birengero with Lakes Ihema, Rwanyakizinga, Shakani, Gishanju, and Mihindi as the most notable.
Away from the lakes, the park is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros); the park reintroduced lions in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, contributing to its status as a Big Five destination. The park also hosts giraffes, zebras, antelopes, jackals, hippos, hyenas, bushbucks, water bucks, klipspringer, and crocodiles with primates like vervet monkeys, Anubis baboons, olive baboons, blue monkeys, and bush babies among others.
With over 480 bird species. Akagera is a paradise for birdwatchers with notable species including the rare shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, Ross’s turaco, grey hornbill, red-faced barbet, cattle egret, swamp flycatcher, African fish eagle, bateleur, African harrier hawk, fan-tailed widowbird, African jacana, marabou stork, African darter and many more and fish species like tilapia, catfish, sardines, barbus, Cyprinus, mormyrus, Nile perch, and many more.
Sport fishing is conducted exclusively on Lake Shakani, and this involves catching and releasing the fish back to the waters of the lake, however, one is allowed to take one for eating for a full experience. Guests fishing can engage in various traditional fishing methods offered for both beginners and seasoned anglers.
Anglers can choose from several traditional fishing methods, such as the cast net method where a net is thrown out into the water and then sinks to encircle fish before being retrieved; the gill net method which involves setting up vertical nets in the water column where the fish swims, scoop net method which is a hand-held net used to scoop fish directly from the water, and hooking method in which baited hooks are used to attract fish, allowing for individual catches.
All these methods offer a hands-on fishing experience for the visitors as they also engage with the local community.
While fishing, visitors can enjoy a cold drink, listen to local folk songs, and tales from fishermen, and the beautiful views enriched with the diverse bird species and some wildlife like hippos and crocodiles making for a thrilling ambiance. It is important to stay alert and heed safety instructions provided by guides or park rangers with wild animals around. Sport fishing can be combined with other activities like boat cruises, game drives, birding, and guided nature walks as the park has more to offer on top of the fish.
Sport fishing in Akagera National Park is an outdoor activity that can be done all year round, however, it is best done during the dry season of June to September and December to February as the waters are calm and the predictable weather makes for an amazing experience.
Fishing permits cost 25$ per person daily and 15$ for children between the ages of 6 and 12, which means that anyone below the age of 6 years is not allowed to participate in the activity.
Fishing combines angling, wildlife viewing, cultural experiences, and amazing landscapes so whether one is a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this activity provides an engaging way to immerse yourself in one of East Africa’s most dynamic natural environments.
