Best Time To Visit Akagera National Park For Wildlife Safari Experiences

Best Time To Visit Akagera National Park

Akagera National park is a tourism hot soot of Rwanda besides the Mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes National park, it is the only savannah park of the country and supplements most safari experiences, the park was formed in the 1934 by the Belgium government as a way of protecting animal species that call this home, its size was greatly affected by the 1994 Rwanda genocide as people used most of the park area for refugee however thanks to the Rwanda development board most of the park area is secured and has a continued animal reintroduction making it one place of the country to view the big five of the African wilderness.

Compared to the previous year Akagera National Park is almost un recognized, it has greatly improved in animal population and birds, this has had several visitors coming into the country,  the park is home to several wildlife species including the big five of the African wilderness(Lions, leopards, elephants and Rhinos) other present animal species include zebras, waterbucks, sitatunga, giraffes, Klipspringers, Topi, elands, oribis, impala to mention a few and over 500 species of birds. The park offers a great opportunity to do activities like game drives, these are conducted in the morning afternoon and evening hours the park is one of the few places of Africa where doing night game drives is allowed, boat safaris on the Lake Ihema, guided nature walks, hikes, birding and community visits to the park. The beauty of the park is amazing to explore.

Best Time to visit Akagera National Park is all year round depending on what you would like to experience, if you are going for game drives, boat cruise or hikes and guided nature walks, the best time to consider is during the dry season between June, July, August, September, December and February the advantage of visiting during this time is the grass is less dense, the bushes thin out allowing a more visibility of the animal species, animals tend to gather around waterbodies such as on Lake Ihema, Lake Shakini, and along Akagera river, it makes it easier to view the wildlife species.  The Weather conditions are normally comfortable for transfers, and the trails of the park are less slippery and easy to drive through.  This time is also considered a peak tourism season, hence expect more people to travel during this time. It is also advisable to book accommodation in advance during the dry season.

The wet season is also a great time to visit Akagera National park, it is green and freshly sprouting from the dry season, in the months March, April, October and November is good for birding the season is wet and fruiting at the same time hence attracting several migratory bird species, Rwanda may not have endemic birds of its own but is one of the best places of East Africa to see birds. The wet season comes with the advantage of low season rates; trips tend to be cheaper due to the fairly priced accommodation facilities.

What to pack to Akagera National Park includes, long sleeved shirts and trousers, walking shoes, short sleeved shirts, insect repellants, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, sunscreen, huts, sandals, it is important to pack safari color like clothes Khaki would be ideal and any other important items of personal nature.

When choosing the best time to visit Akagera National Park, it is important to know where to stay while in the park. There is abundant accommodation facilities ranging from luxury to the best budget facilities for example the Akagera game lodge one of the most premium lodges located inside the park, they offer comfortable room s with stunning views of the landscape, Rusizi tented Lodge, Mantis Akagera,  to mention a few, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance depending on the season that you choose to go to Akagera National Park.

Best time to visit Akagera National Park can be combined with other destinations of Rwanda, including the Volcanoes National Park home to mountain gorillas and golden monkey species, the Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee and golden monkey trekking and a visit to the Gishwati Mukura National Park for guided nature walks among other things to do.