Akagera National Park was upgraded to a protected area in 1934 and derived its name from the famous river that cuts through the park. Akagera National Park is set in the northeastern part of Rwanda and borders Tanzania. Akagera National Park protects a variety of mammals, including all the famous "Big 5" animals, bird species, and primates that survive in the diverse vegetation of the park. Visiting Akagera National Park gives you a greater opportunity to discover hidden treasures in the park through the top tourist activities to do in Akagera National Park. Click here to see gorilla trekking safaris.

 

Game drives in Akagera National Park?

Game drives in Akagera National Park can be done all day long, but the best time to do a game drive is in the morning and evening, provided that gives you an opportunity to sight great wildlife species. On your game drive, travelers are driven along marked trails through the open Savannah plains and woodlands, searching for a variety of mammals and bird species. Your experienced driver-guide will take you throughout the game drive as you look out for where these animals spend their quality time during the day. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour 

 

Tourists will always have a chance to spot all the Big 5 animals, such as Cape Buffaloes, Lions, African Elephants, Rhinos, and Leopards. Other animals protected by Akagera National Park include the Defassa Waterbuck, Eland, Semi-Aquatic Sitatunga, Giraffes, Topis, Oribis, and Bohor Reedbucks.

 

Akagera National Park’s night game drives are another famous option to encounter other nocturnal wildlife species surviving in the park. Akagera National Park's night game drives give you a chance to view nocturnal animals such as bushbabies, several cats, civets, and leopards. Travelers are always escorted by an experienced park ranger and your driver-guide as you search for nocturnal animals with the help of strong flashlights.

 

Nature walks at Akagera National Park? 

Akagera National Park's guided nature walk is another unique way to discover the park’s attractions that offer travelers an opportunity to encounter wildlife up-close on foot. The guided nature walk is done by an experienced park ranger who will guide your walk through the open Savannah plains while searching for wildlife species. On your nature walk, you will see all the missed attractions, including many butterfly species and small insects that you may miss while in a vehicle.

 

Bird watching in Akagera National Park?

Akagera National Park offers over 520 bird species, which makes it among the greatest birding destinations in East Africa. Akagera National Park is a diverse habitat, presenting a safe place to house both resident and migratory bird species that range from forests to savannah plains and hills. Akagera National Park accommodates various endemic and rare bird species such as the threatened Papyrus gonolek, the lesser kestrel, red-faced barbets, armot chat, the great snipe, the rare shoebill, and Swamp Fly Catchers.

 

Fishing at Akagera National Park?

Fishing at Akagera National Park takes place at Lake Ihema and Shakani, providing a thrilling experience. While fishing, you will hear many bird species singing in the forest and see hippos float in the water. The catches from your fishing adventure can be roasted or grilled for everyone to enjoy the fresh fish from Rwanda's freshwaters.

 

A boat cruise safari at Akagera National Park?

The Akagera National Park boat safari is a highlight type of safari that takes place on Lake Ihema, which has a high concentration of hippos in East Africa. Visitors can see large herds of elephants, families of warthogs, buffalos, large groups of hippos, endless crocodiles basking on the lakeshores, and many water birds, such as the rare shoebill stork. Akagera National Park boat cruises on Lake Ihema offer a spectacular view of the beautiful natural setting of Akagera National Park and life in a local fishing village that is set along the lake bank.

Akagera National Park is located just 500 meters from Kigali International Airport; you will turn left as you head to the east of Rwamagana and just continue through Rwamagana up to the roundabout in Kayonza. From the Kayonza roundabout, just turn right and move for about 15 km to Kabarondo, then you will proceed to Akagera National Park's main gate. The drive to Akagera National Park from Kigali takes approximately two to three hours if traveling in a private vehicle or a private safari vehicle, and two to four hours if using public transportation.

 

Which accommodation facilities are in Akagera National Park?

Akagera National Park accommodation facilities range from budget lodges to mid-range lodges and luxury lodges. Budget option lodges include Ruzizi Tented Lodge; mid-range option lodges include Karenge Bush Camp; and luxury option lodges include Akagera Game Lodge.

 

Akagera National Park can be visited all year, but it is best visited during the dry season because Akagera National Park can receive no or little rainfall. Because during the rainy season it becomes hard to have a game drive through this national park for wildlife viewing because the heavy rains make all the trails too muddy and slippery, it is also very hard to view wildlife species compared to the dry season. The best time to visit Akagera National Park for a wildlife safari is from June to September and from December to February each year; however, March to early May can be fairly dry.

 

Why book with Devine Africa Safaris while planning to visit Akagera National Park?

Devine African Safaris ethos is to offer personalized service that is the utmost in dedication to safety while observing the enjoyment of our beloved clients. Devine African Safaris is committed to the well-being of the staff and guests as well as monitoring the positive impact on the local communities and wild places that our tourism operations touch. We keep the environmental ethic in mind on all of our safaris:

 

“Take beautiful photographs for memories, and leave only footprints." Contact us here for your authentic safari packages to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s gorilla trekking safaris, or Uganda’s mountain gorilla trekking experience. We assist you in planning a smooth and trouble-free safari.