Akagera National Park is located in Eastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania and covers an area of 1122 sq km.
It consists mainly of woodland, swamps, low mountains, and savannah. Akagera National Park is the largest national park in Rwanda, offering one of the best wildlife safari tours in the country.
This national park boasts rich flora and fauna with diverse plant species and animal species such as lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, leopards, buffalos, elephants, and over 500 bird species.
The park has over 10 lakes within its boundaries, such as Lake Ihema and Lake Shakari, making boat cruises possible among the tourist activities.
Akagera National Park was given national park status by the Belgian government in 1934 to protect the wildlife species under threat at the time, making it the oldest national park in the Republic of Rwanda.
The park was once known as the park of the Lycaons because it had many Lycaons (wild dogs), but unfortunately, they were killed by an epidemic that spread in the national park.
In 1994, Akagera National Park suffered great deforestation as a result of Genocide refugees who cleared forests for farming and grazing animals, and others killed wild animals for food, thus destroying the park.
However, many improvements have been made in the park, including the acquisition of a helicopter for aerial surveillance, the establishment of an anti-poaching unit, and the employment of more park rangers to maintain security.
Akagera is home to large animals that cannot be found in either Nyungwe or Volcanoes National Parks.
Tourist Attractions in Akagera National Park
- Animal Species: There are over 8000 large animals available, including Cape Buffalo, African Bush elephant, Black Eastern Rhinos, lions, leopards, Rothschild Giraffes, Hippos, Brucgell’s zebra, Antelopes, and waterbucks.
- Primates: These include vervet monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, silver monkeys, and blue monkeys.
- Bird Species: There are over 500 bird species in Akagera such as suaza shrike, Raptors, the rare Shoebill stork, and great sniper bird.
- Lakes: There are over 10 lakes within the national park, e.g., Lake Ihema, Lake Shakari, among others.
Activities Tourists Can Engage In
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Guided nature walks
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Bird watching
Cost Costs can vary depending on activities, and they include:
- Game drive fees: Day game drives $30, and night drives $40.
- Boat cruise fees: Boat cruises take place at 7:30 am, 9 am, 3 pm, and 4:30 pm and cost USD 45 per adult and $30 for children, while non-scheduled boat cruises cost $180.
- Bird watching fees: Cost $30 per person.
- Cultural experience in Akagera National Park: Cost USD 30 per adult and $20 per child for half-day activities.
How to Get to Akagera National Park
To get to Akagera, tourists will use road transport and pass through towns like Rwamagana, Kayonza, Kabarondo town, and then to Rwinkwanvu, where they can access the Park.
The distance from Kigali International Airport is about 98 sq km, and it takes about 2.5 hours to reach the park.
Requirements to Carry
- Insect repellents
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers
- Waterproof jacket
- Life jackets
- Park entrance fees
- Valid documents
In conclusion, visiting Akagera National Park is an unforgettable experience.
