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Akagera National Park – Rwanda Safari Guide
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Akagera National Park at a Glance
Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda, sprawling over 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) of mainly Savannah, montane and swamp habitats bordering Tanzania. The park was founded in 1934.
Akagera National Park derives its name from the Kagera River, which flows along its eastern boundary, feeding into Lake Ihema and numerous other smaller lakes. Over one-third of the park is made up of a complex network of lakes and linking papyrus swamps, also known as the largest protected wetland in Eastern and Central Africa.
This largely open expanse is ideal for prime wildlife viewing without disruptions, and steps are being taken to ensure the ‘big five‘ roam the park in greater numbers over the course of time. One of the highlights of any visit to Akagera National Park is embarking on a boat trip on Lake Ihema. The lake hosts large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of water birds.
The park has a thatch-roof reception center with a café and a luxury tented lodge. Camping next to the lakes of Akagera is a truly mystical way to experience the wild. Guided game drives, boat cruises, and fishing trips are also among the activities in Akagera National Park.
Attractions in Akagera National Park
A private safari in Akagera National Park is much more rewarding with the entire African safari’s ‘big five’ animals present. This is further confirmed by the fact that a family of lions from South Africa was brought in and is now settling in well and breeding successfully.
Eighteen eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced in the park. Elephants and African buffalos are common, and herds can easily be spotted in the plains, lions are remarkably relaxed, although sightings are not reliably good, and elusive leopards can be spotted on guided night drives.
A boat trip on Lake Ihema will allow you to see lots of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Visitors can also encounter giraffes, zebras, baboons, warthogs, and half a dozen antelope species, all of which are reasonably visible and less skittish than one might expect.
The most common and easily spotted in the plains are the gracious impalas, while the big herds of topis are of particular interest. Defassa waterbucks regularly graze around the lakes; bushbucks are widespread residents in the woodlands; and an incredible 480 bird species are spread around the park.
Activities in Akagera National Park
1. Game drives
A game drive in Akagera National Park is an incredible way to explore the best of Rwanda. It offers visitors the opportunity to sight the big five and is the only protected area in Rwanda to see the gracious impalas and topis. Visitors may choose to take the morning drive to see morning hunters and grazers, or the afternoon, evening, or night game drives to see some of the park’s nocturnal animals.
2. Boat cruise
A 2- to 3-hour boat trip along the shores of Rwanda’s second-largest lake, Lake Ihema, yields some of the best wildlife and aquatic bird sightings the lake has to offer. There are daily trip departures at 7.30 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4.30 p.m.
During the boat trip, visitors are able to sight hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and numerous bird species such as kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Egrets, and Hammerkops, while the prehistoric-looking Shoebill is also notable here.
3. Bird watching
Akagera National Park boasts over 480 bird species, both resident and migratory, spread across the diversity of rolling hills, woodlands, forests, seasonal and permanent swamps, lakes, Savannah vegetation, and sticking landscape within the park. Bird watching is also popular in Nyungwe National Park for some endemic species, like the great blue turaco.
4. Sport fishing
Fishing in Akagera National Park is such an amazing experience, mainly conducted along the shores of Lake Shakani. Visitors interested in fishing are rewarded with the opportunity to catch fish species such as tilapia and catfish, among others. They can also choose to combine fishing with a boat trip on any of the popular lakes within the park.
5. Camping
Akagera National Park is the only flat savannah and the perfect destination for a camping experience in Rwanda. Camping is one of the amazing outdoor recreational activities that offer visitors a total wilderness experience as they pursue activities in the natural environment.
The three camping sites you should explore on your Akagera safari are Shakani Akagera Campsite, Mutamba Akagera Campsite, and Muyumba Campsite.
6. Nature walks
Nature walks allow visitors to walk with a ranger guide and enjoy getting close to nature, learning about trees, shrubs, animals, insects, birds, and butterflies, among others. Akagera’s network of hiking trails and relatively flat landscape make it a perfect destination for nature walks and present the most scenic way of exploring the park.
7. Cultural tour
Visiting the neighbouring community could spice up your Akagera safari and offer you the opportunity to interact with the locals. This activity will furnish you with a great knowledge of the Banyarwanda culture. You have four choices to choose from: the culture of cattle, the production of local beer, arts and crafts, and food festivities.
Best time to visit Akagera National Park
Best time to visit Akagera National Park: The best time to visit Akagera National Park is in the long dry season from June to September, which is also known as the peak season, while the short dry spell runs from December to February. The park is usually dry with sparse vegetation meaning wildlife is easier to spot as they concentrate around water holes.
However, the park is busiest at weekends, and the peak season means rates shoot up in most facilities as a result of high demand.
The low seasons from March to May and October to November are quite challenging when the rains are at their peak. That means wildlife viewing may easily be interrupted by abrupt rainfall, which is sometimes annoying.
However, showers generally arrive in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time for morning hiking and an outdoor lunch. Birding is also perfect at this time, with migratory birds arriving at the park. You’ll enjoy less competition for tours and discounted rates at some hotels and facilities.
How to get to Akagera National Park
From Kigali to Akagera National Park is about 108 kilometers of driving distance, and the park can be accessed by either road or a short flight.
By road, it is a 2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive from the capital, Kigali, via the town of Rwamagana to the southern gate of the park (the northern gate is used for exit only at the moment), while it takes approximately six hours to drive from the park’s southern entrance to the northernmost exit gate, so plan for a long day trip from Kigali or an overnight at one of the campsites.
By air, there are no domestic flights to Akagera, but a charter helicopter transfer can be arranged. The flight takes about 20 minutes from Kigali to Akagera.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park
- Ruzizi Tented Lodge
- Magashi Camp
- Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Combining Akagera National Park with other destinations.
We will help you plan an extra-ordinary Akagera National Park safari combining trips to or from other parks in Rwanda, such as Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Gishwati Mukura National Park, and neighbouring destinations like Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
