Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located north-Eastern part of Rwanda bordering Tanzania. The park was established in 1934 covering 1122 sq. Km area of which three-quarters of the park is filled with the swamps, small lakes, and the River Kagera. The park obtained its name Akagera as a result of the River Kagera which flows in the eastern part of the park attributing to Lake Victoria and feeds into the Ihema Lake. Akagera is the oldest national park in Rwanda of all the three national parks in Rwanda others being Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Akagera National park is known for its several attractions which include;

Mammals such as Elephants, lions, buffalos, impalas, bush babies, and many more mammals are seen during the game drive.
Water bodies which include Lake Ihema, river Kagera and swamps which are good sights for boat ride and fishing
The vegetation of thick lush and papyrus swamps is the best home for birds including the rare shoebill stork. Akagera national park is the best home for water birds in East Africa.

The above attractions lead to several tourism activities in the park including Birding, game drives and nature walks, boat cruise, sport fishing among others as explained below;

Boat cruise on Lake Ihema: This is yet another activity that shouldn’t be missed out by the visitors during their visit in Rwanda. The boat cruise is normally carried out on the Ihema Lake which is the second biggest lake in Akagera national park. While cruising on Ihema Lake, keep watching at the lake shores for a high concentration of the Hippos, crocodiles and several bird species including the shoebill stork, herons, jacanas, plovers, kingfishers, and other aquatic mammals and birds. An afternoon boat cruise provides a golden opportunity of sighting out several mammals including elephants, buffalos which are always seen along the shores of the lake in search of water

Birding: Akagera national park harbors several bird species making it a birders paradise in Rwanda. The major bird species that attract birders in the park are the rare shoebills. Other bird species seen during the birding in Akagera national park include; the water birds, papyrus Gonolek, the crested barbet, black-headed Gonolek, and several raptors and migrant birds which are all seen near river Kagera, around the swamps and lakes during birding in Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Birding in Akagera national park is best done early in the morning or in the evening. However, some visitors who enjoy birding can do as a full day activity.

Game drive and nature walk: The nature of the vegetation in the Akagera Park is suitable for a variety of wildlife due to the nature of the park filled with savanna grassland, swamps, and all the water bodies that keep the vegetation green throughout the year. During the nature walks, visitors come across a variety of wildlife such as primates, birds, butterflies, as well as the plants, and water bodies. During the guided game drive, several mammals including the four of the big five are seen. These include; Elephants, buffalos, and leopards Lions. Other mammals seen during the morning game drive include; Zebras, warthogs, bushbabys, sitatunga, bushbucks, elands among others. Primates are also seen in the park during the game drive which includes the olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, blue and silver monkeys. Taking a guided night game drive in the parks is yet another activity for the visitors who visit the park as they can spot several nocturnal mammals and hunters as they leave their hideouts in search of food in the park at night. The mammals which are usually seen at night include Hyenas, civets, cats and bushbabys among others. These are known as nocturnal mammals and hunters because they hide during the day and are always active at night.

Fishing: Sportfishing activity in Akagera national park takes place on Lake Shakani where there are greater possibilities of catching several fish species. Visitors can also get involved in fishing tournaments where they can catch some fish species such as Tilapia, and catfish. The advantages of this tournament and sport fishing is that visitors are free to take the fish they have caught, roast them and enjoy at their lodges. During fishing, several water birds are also seen along the shores, herbivores as they feed on the green vegetation along the shores and the semi-aquatic mammals as they bath and cool their bodies.

Getting there: Akagera national park can be reached either by road or by air depending on the visitor’s interest.

Getting to Akagera national park by road: The distance between the park and Kigali city takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive from via Rwamagana Town or Kibungo town. The roads inside the park are always tidy especially in the rainy season thus recommending all visitors interested in visiting Akagera national park to use a 4×4 vehicle to avoid getting stuck in the muddy roads. Most travel companies such as to achieve global safaris offer a full drive to the guests using a 4×4 vehicle from the airport to the park and back to the airport at the end of the safari.
Getting to Akagera national park by air: Most of the flight safaris to Akagera national park are arranged by the Akagera Aviation. This aviation mobilizes domestic flights to all national parks around Rwanda. Akagera Aviation provides the helicopters which are used to transfer the visitors in small groups. There is also a charter with eleven seats which is used to move visitors to the parks.

Accommodations in Akagera

There are several lodges inside and around the park. Visitors can have a variety of lodges ranging from budget longest, midranges and luxury lodges. The best lodge adds on the value of the trip so below are some of the best lodges in the park. There are only two lodges inside the Akagera national park including Ruzizi tented lodge and Akagera game lodge

Akagera game lodge (mid-range): Akagera game lodge is found in the southern part of the park and is strategically positioned on the ridge. Visitors who book their accommodations with Akagera game lodge have an opportunity of viewing the Ihema Lake just at the lodge and the best amenities including free Wi-Fi, outdoor games. However, this lodge is under renovation till early 2020 but visitors can still use it for better services.

Ruzizi tented lodge (Luxury)This is yet another lodge inside the park and it is located on the shores of Lake Ihema. This is the best lodge for visitors who enjoy the African styles.
Other lodges are outside the park and some visitors can also choose camping they set fire in the camp for warmth as they watch the animals roaming in the park

“Akagera national park is the best place for birding, fishing and boat cruise in Rwanda due to the nature of the park full of water bodies and the thick blush that makes the park very beautiful to visit”.