Akagera national park is Rwanda’s largest national park located in the northeastern part of the country near the border with Tanzania. The park was established in 1,934 covering an area of about 2,500 square kilometers. Akagera national park was established to protect wildlife from extinction due to increased poaching then. During post genocide period in 1,997, most Rwanda citizens returned as refugees and the park land was encroached on to give to the refugees and this was nearly half of the national park size. The park now covers a total area of about 1,122 square kilometers. Akagera national park derived its name from Akagera River which flows through the park on the eastern side. The park is composed of mostly swamps and lakes like Ihema and streams.
In 2009, Africa Parks and Rwanda Development Board signed a joint management agreement to help Akagera Management Company (AMC) manage the operation of the park.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is the savanna national park that Rwanda boasts about and it is where you can have a chance to have an encounter with wildlife while you are on a game drive. Akagera national park is a home to Africa’s big 5 animals which are lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and elephants. Akagera national park is a home to other wildlife for example giraffes, zebras, antelopes, over 500 bird species, monkeys and baboons among other wildlife species.
In 2019, Akagera national park received 5 black rhinos from the Czech Republic and this is the longest wildlife translocation that happened between 2 continents that is Europe and Africa covering over 2,485 miles and this has led to the increased number of tourists in Rwanda national parks and increased number of rhino population.
Attractions in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park being a home to a number of wildlife and abundance sceneries and therefore expect to have a number of attractions which follows.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is a home to Africa’s Big 5 which are lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants and other wildlife in Akagera national park are Rothschild giraffes, zebras, hippopotami, antelopes, impalas among others.
Birds
Akagera is a home to over 500 bird species and this makes Akagera one of Rwanda’s birding destinations and it has attracted birders from all over the world. Akagera national park is a home to raptors, shoebill storks, red faced barbets, purple crested turacos, Suaza’s shrikes to mention but a few.
Lakes
Akagera national park accommodates over 10 lakes and these beautify the park by harboring aquatic life, source of water for wildlife in the jungle. Some of the lakes found in Akagera national park are; Lake Ihema and this is the most prominent and he biggest lake in Akagera national park covering about 19 square kilometers and it is famous among tourists who enjoy boat cruise on Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Hago, Lake Mahindi and others.
What to do in Akagera National Park
Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park
Boat cruises in Akagera national park are mostly done on Lake Ihema. These are organized four times a day for example 7:30 am, 9am and 4pm. Tourists can engage in sport fishing, discovering the beauty of the aquatic life.
Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park is a home to Africa’s Big 5 animals which are lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. Other wildlife to explore while in Akagera national park are; giraffes, sitatungas, jackals, hyenas, birds among other. Akagera national park offers two types of game drive, morning game drive which starts at 6am to encounter diurnals and night game drive which starts at 6pm to have an encounter with nocturnal animals which are leopards, civets, serval cats, lions, hyenas among others.
Birding in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park being a home to over 500 bird species, it is a birding haven for Rwanda which has pulled over millions of birders from all parts of the world to have an encounter with birdlife in Akagera national park. Some of the bird species to find in Akagera national park; papyrus Gonolek, marabou storks, egrets, barbets, turacos among others.
Fishing in Akagera National Park
Fishing in Akagera national park is done on Lake Shakani where tourists can catch catfish and tilapia. The park management also organizes fishing tournaments and those who want to engage in such activities can communicate directly to the park management early or through the operator they are going to use.
Guided Nature Walks in Akagera National Park
Akagera national park provides this amazing service where tourists can get closer to nature a feeling that is out of this world.
Cultural tours in Akagera National Park
While at Akagera national park, tourists can engage in Rwanda culture for example cattle heritage experience, artisans, culinary and these portray Rwandan culture.
What is the best time to visit Akagera National Park?
You can visit Akagera national park throughout the year, however, it is better to visit in dry season between June and September, this is when the trails are dry, vegetation is short and you can see animals clearly. Do not forget that this is the peak season, however, you can also visit Akagera national park in wet season and this is between March and May, October and December. This is when there are few people in the park, the park is very green and photographers always enjoy this season.
