Akagera National Park - Rwanda Safaris and Wildlife Tours
Akagera National Park is a unique ecosystem of Rwanda, it is the only savannah park in the country and one of Africa’s biggest protected wetland areas, it used to be a large ecosystem, however, the results of 1994 did not leave it the same as there was a lot of encroachment, in 2010 the Rwandan government put together an effort to protect the national park, the park was founded in 1934 named after the river Kagera flowing on the floor of the conservation area there are several lakes tucked in the park, for example, Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Mihindi) these water bodies are placed together with the vast savannah grassland, forest, and rolling beautiful hills. The re-introduction of lions in the national park makes it a prime destination to see the so-called big five of the wilderness (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos).
The Akagera National Park is a special intimate place in east Africa, the winding backdrop of the rolling mountains of the eastern part of Rwanda is not to miss, with a great spot of wildlife through the well-distributed game tracks, the park animals include, including topi, elands, zebras, waterbucks, duikers, impalas, serval cats, reedbuck, giraffes, side stripped jackal, bush pigs, Klipspringer, sitatunga antelopes, roan antelopes and many other species present in the park, it hosts over 300 species of birds with chances of seeing the critically endangered shoe bill stock, other species to see include papyrus gonolex, African fish eagles, herons, pelicans, marabou stock among other species present in the national park.
Popular things to do in the national park include wildlife game drives, which are conducted in sessions, in the morning, evening, and afternoon, the drives are conducted on open-roof cars which will enable you to have views of the park, it takes 2-3 hours doing the drives, expect to meet a fusion of wild animals as you listen to the sound of nature, visitors are led into the park with a knowledgeable guide who will take you through the vast park, the conservation area is one of the few places of Africa where doing night game drives is allowed, expect to meet most nocturnal species like night jar, lions, leopards, bush babies owls, hyenas. Boat cruise along the angelic Lake Ihema, the ride along the beautiful Lake is Phenomenal, you will encounter most water animals like the Nile crocodiles and hippos, and on a lucky day along the marshy swampy sides of the park, you will see the shoebill, and other water birds like the African fish eagles, kingfishers. It is an important birding destination most of the bird species are forest birds, and endemics of the rift valley region some of the species include the double-toothed barbet, Meyers parrot, Ross’s turaco, red-faced barbet, and other activities include guided nature walks, walk by the fence in the park, cultural visits to the people of Rwanda.
Akagera National Park can be accessed by road from Kigali it takes 2 hours’ drive to arrive at the destination passing through the rolling angelic hills of the countryside of Rwanda, helicopter flights can be arranged from the Kigali International Airport which takes 25 minutes drive to reach the park on a helicopter tour accessing the park requires you to get a park entrance fee permit from the authority.
