The Top Most Unique Things to Do in Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Unique Things to Do in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only Savanah Park of Rwanda, it found in the northeastern part of Rwanda along the country’s borders with Tanzania, the park area is characterized by swamps, small lakes and rivers, it is underlined by river Kagera after which it was named, the river feeds different waterbodies including the Lake Ihema. Akagera National Park covers an area space of 1112 square kilometers and was established in the 1934 as a way of protecting animal species that call this home, it was once larger than it is now but was greatly affected by the war during the genocide, thousands of people fled to live in the park area for safety, lions in the park became extinct however thanks to the Rwanda development board these have been reintroduced to park.

Things to do in Akagera National park include game drives, the national park is home to several wildlife species and birds including lions, Rhinos, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes of different species, Burchell’s Zebras, giraffes, Jackals, hyenas among others, the park offers both night and day game drives through the well distributed trails of the national park, these bring you closer to animals and birds, they are conducted using 4*4 wheel car drives together with an experienced guide, game drives take 2 -3  hours in search of wildlife in Akagera national Park.

Boat cruise along Lake Ihema, the second largest lake in Rwanda, visitors have the chance to view aquatic animal species for example crocodiles, hippos, and many water birds, boat experiences are arranged in the morning, afternoon and evening hours it approximately takes 2-3 hours while enjoying the waters of the park, on a lucky day you will be chanced to see mammals like Zebras, sitatunga, waterbucks, hyenas that come around the water body for safe drinking water. Despite the scheduled boat safari in the park, there are also non-scheduled boat experiences for guests who wish to experience a private boat at a time of their convenience.

Birding in Akagera National park, the conservation area is home to over 500 species of birds, it is a great birding spot of Rwanda popular sightings include swamp fly catchers, red faced barbet, shoebill stock, egrets, marabou stock grey crowned cranes, sunbirds, herons, to mention a few, birds can be easily spotted along the banks of rivers and on Lake Ihema, while on game drive, birding requires patience hence sometimes involves being in the park all day long never the less it is a rewarding experience.

Fishing in Akagera national park takes place along Lake Shakini, there are a variety of fish species that can be caught for sport fishing, it is a relaxing and beautiful way to spend quality time in the park, the park authorities arrange for fishing competitions on catch and release, guests interested in these activities can reach out and book prior to the day.

Community experience in the Akagera national park neighboring park area, this will give you the chance to interact and get a better understanding of the culture of the people of Rwanda, they will show you through their way of life and also perform their famous Kinyarwanda dance, you can learn how to milk a cow, make a local brew, among others.

Hiking and guided nature walks in the national park bring you closer to wildlife species and birds, the walks are led by an experienced guide, you may notices he holds a gun, it is only for protection incase the animals fume, the knowledgeable guide will tell you all about the flora and Fauna of the park, it takes 2-3 hours doing the walk through the maintained trails.

Akagera national park activities can be conducted all year round depending on the guest interests, however most of the activities are best during the dry season between the months of December-February and June, July, August and September, during these time the weather is favorable and the park trails are dry making it easy to do game drives, the waters seem to be less hence a perfect boat experience and the grasses are shorter which makes it even better to view animals.

Things to do in Akagera National Park can be combined with those of other national parks like the Volcanoes National Park, Gishwati Mukura National Park, and the Nyungwe Forest National Park.