Akagera National Park is a savannah park located in Eastern Rwanda. It covers an area of 1,122 square kilometres along the border with Tanzania. The park derives its name from the River Akagera that flows along its eastern boundary, feeding into Lake Ihema and other small lakes. Akagera National Park was founded in 1934 by the Belgian government that occupied Rwanda at the time.
Things to do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Akagera is one of Rwanda’s best national parks, where visitors can access the park in a comfortable 4×4 wheel drive vehicle during game drives. These game drives are often carried out in the northern part of the park during the morning and evening, led by an experienced ranger guide. Notable animals to be seen include elephants, giraffes, buffalos, oribis, bushbucks, waterbucks, topis, impalas, and elands, among others.
Bird Watching
Akagera National Park boasts over 530 bird species, hence making it the best hub for bird lovers. Tourists interested in bird watching are encouraged to carry with them good binoculars and cameras for taking clear photographs. Birds of Akagera include the brown-chested lapwing, Denham’s bustard, Cabanis’s bunting, Carruthers’s cisticola, white-browed coucal, bare-faced go-away-bird, double-toothed barbet, African jacana, African fish eagle, and Shelley’s francolin, among others.
Boat Cruise
This is an activity carried out on Lake Ihema, and this can be done depending on the schedules, for example, morning, afternoon, and evening. During this boat cruise, tourists are rewarded with opportunities to see a large concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as other animals like elephants, warthogs, and waterbucks that come out of the bushes to quench their thirst on the lake on a hot afternoon. Tourists are encouraged to carry with them good cameras during the boat cruise, as this is another opportunity for taking clear photographs.
Nature Walks
These can be done with the help of an experienced ranger guide, and this walk takes you 2-3 hours as you pass through the forest as you listen to sounds from different birds.
Sport Fishing
This is done at Lake Shakani, and it involves catching and releasing fish back to the water body. Catfish and tilapia are the major fish types caught here. Tourists interested in this sport activity are always required to carry their own equipment.
Cultural Encounter
This takes you through the neighbouring villages where you get to learn more about the history of the people of a thousand hills. With the help of a local guide, you will be led through the villages as you interact with locals, learn more about their day-to-day activities, and participate in milking and making local brew. At the end of the day, you can enjoy a traditional meal and participate in the traditional dances that mostly portray the traditions of the people of Rwanda.
When to visit Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park can be visited throughout the year, though the best time is during drier months when the trails are passable. This is December to March and June to August. During this time the vegetation is dry, giving tourists the opportunity to see different animals at their convenience.