Akagera National park

Akagera national park is located in eastern Rwanda, is a stunning protected area that showcases the country’s diverse natural beauty. The park was established in 1934, the park covers approximately 1,122 square kilometers and is named after the Akagera River, which flows through it.Akagera is Rwanda’s largest national park and forms a transboundary conservation area with Tanzania’s Ibanda-Ruvuma and Burundi’s Ruvubu national park. The park’s unique landscape features rolling hills and valleys, woodlands, savannas and wetlands, Lakes Rwanyakazinga and Ihema. Akagera national park is a home to the big five mammals like rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, elephnats and lions and over 500 bird species.

Attractions in Akagera national park.

Wildlife/Animal species.

Akagera national park is known as a wildlife haven. This is the only safari destination on a Rwanda safari where the tourists can spot the big five mammals that includes the leopards, lions, buffalos, rhinos and elephants. Not only the big five mammals the park holds are quite number of mammals that includes the bushbucks, Oribis, waterbuck, duiker, Klipspringer, impala, Cape eland, giraffes and among others. The park is the destination that harbors the country’s largest numbers of hippos, crocodiles that can be spotted near Lake Ihema. As well Akagera national park is a home of the largest numbers of primates that can be spotted on a Rwanda safari that includes the blue monkeys, bush babies, Olive baboons, bush babies and these mostly can be seen in the park during the night game drives.

Bird species.

Akagera national park has got the ecosystems that offers the favors lives of over 500 bird species. The park holds the largest numbers of the beautiful bird species that includes the water birds like shoebill stork, African Fish Eagle, purple Heron, Grey Heron, Goliath Heron, Pelicans, Giant Kingfisher and others. Savanna and grassland bird like secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Caspian Plover, and Black-bellied Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Hoopoe and others. Forest bird species like Rwenzori Turaco, Red-faced Barbets, Narina Trogons, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, Little Greenbuls, Yellow-bellied Greenbuls and among others. Migratory bird species like European Bee-eater, White-winged Black Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtails and among others. Endemic and rare species like Papyrus Gonoleks, red-faced Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, regal Sunbirds, Black-headed Waxbills and among others. Other notable species includes like African open-billed stork, Saddle-billed stork, wattled plover, African Jacana, Hadada Ibis and among many others.

Activities to do in Akagera National park

Game drives.

Game drives at Akagera national park is an exciting and immersive safari experience exploring Akagera’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, through exploring the animal species as they are moving in the open savannah in the safari open 4WD vehicle, with the presence of the well experienced tour guide. The game drive in Akagera national park is done under different phases that is morning game drive, afternoon game drive and the night game drive. Morning game drive in the park is the most stunning one because that’s the moment when the animal species in the park are more and active. This is where the tourists get the chance to spot the big five mammals in the park that is leopards, lions, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos. Along other animal species that includes the zebras, giraffes and others without spotting some bird species along the way during a game drive. Akagera national park’s game drives offer an unforgettable safari experience that offers tourists the diverse wildlife.

Bird watching.

Bird watching is the thrilling bird safari destination. Bird enthusiasts who explore Akagera national park get the chance to park’s beautiful bird species in the park’s hotspots like Lake Ihema, forests, wetlands, savannah and among others, the various bird species to be spotted includes the African fish eagle, Purple Heron, papyrus Gonolek, Shoebill stork, egrets, weavers, Amur falcon, Black-crowned night heron, Blue-headed coucal, Booted eagle, Brown-chested lapwing, Cardinal quelea, Caspian plover, Crested barbet, Denham’s bustard, Dimorphic egret, Kingfishers. Akagera national park’s birdwatching safari offers an unforgettable safari experience for the enthusiasts with its diverse habitats and the abundant birdlife.

Boat cruise.

Akagera national park offers tourists with the excellent boat cruise on Lake Ihema this is a relaxing and scenic experience exploring Akagera’s lakes and waterways. During a boat cruise that’s when the tourists get the best safari moments in the cool atmosphere. During boat cruise that’s when the tourists get the chance to spot the water bird species, sighting the large schools of the hippos and crocodiles, various bird species that are over 500 bird species like African fish eagles, African Jacana and among many others. Boat cruise provides a unique and tranquil safari experience, showcasing the park’s aquatic life and stunning scenery.

Hot air balloon safari.

Hot air balloon safari in Akagera national park is a thrilling and serene adventure that combines breathtaking views, wildlife spotting and unique perspective on the Rwanda’s stunning landscape. During the hot air balloon safari you experience one hour over the Akagera diverse habitats like Lake Rwanyakazinga, Lake Ihema and wetlands while spotting animal species like elephants, giraffes, and among many others. The hot air balloon safari offers the unforgettable safari showcasing Rwanda’s natural beauty from a unique perspective.

Cultural tours.

Cultural tours is the best way how the tourists can get to experience Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage through guided tours, exploring the lives and traditions of local communities surrounding the park. This is where the tourists get to participate in the traditional cattle grazing, milk processing and storage from the calabashes for preservation, also you can get to participate in the various processes to transform, milk into different products like the traditional yoghurt, ghee and also you get to enjoy the safari activity where you get to prepare dinner using milk product’s ingredients and among others. Akagera national park’s cultural tours offer a wonderful opportunity to experience Rwanda’s vibrant culture, support local communities and promote conservation efforts.