Largest national park in Rwanda : Rwanda is a small country covering an area of approximately 26,338 km2, known for its rolling hills. Rwanda has got four national parks that’s; Akagera national park, volcanoes national park , Nyungwe forest national park and Gishwati-Mukura national park, but among these four national parks , Akagera national park is the largest of all. Akagera national park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda located in the eastern province of the country bordering Tanzania. Akagera was gazetted as was declared as Rwanda’s protected area in 1932 and the area covers approximately 1,089 square kilometers. The name Akagera was driven from Akagera River which is the park’s main source of waters for both animals, plants as well as some small lakes like Lake Ihema, lake Shakani, lake Rwanyakazinga, and Lake Mihindi among others.
Akagera national park is a home to different kinds of savannah plants such as grasslands, savannah forest, plains among others which acts as feeding grounds for many different biodiversity which makes the park there habitant. Akagera national park is a perfect destination to go when on Rwanda wildlife adventure safari, the park is famously known for having inhabits a numerous number of wildlife and more amazing is the Big 5 African animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceros. Others wildlife species includes elands, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, several cats, black masked civet, hyenas, Sitatunga antelopes and roan antelopes, klipspringer, bush pigs, crocodiles, hippos , reedbuck among others. The park also harbors other primate’s species like olive baboon, blue monkeys, bush babies, vervet monkeys among others
Akagera savannah is also a home to variety of several species of bird species, over 450 bird species can be spotted here such as , Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’ Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, Bare face-Go-Away bird, and African fish Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, Fork-tailed Drano and Grey-crowned Cranes Shouldered robin-chat, Grasshopper buzzard, Dimorphic egret among others
Unforgettable activities to do in Akagera national park
Bird watching
Akagera national park is a home to a number of different amazing bird species , bird watching on the park is the most rewarding activity that many tourists in the park can participate on to ensure that they have astonishing safari experiences since the park is a home of over 524 species of birds. During your bird watching safari in Akagera, you will have a great opportunity to spot some of the savannah bird species. The park is an outstanding birding destination site with a variety of habitants, you will be amazed with different bird species such as Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’ Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, Bare face-Go-Away bird, and African fish Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, Fork-tailed Drano and Grey-crowned Cranes Shouldered robin-chat, Grasshopper buzzard, Dimorphic egret are among the other range-restricted species and highlights. Another desired species that may be seen in the area on a regular basis is the Shoebill stork.
Game drives
Akagera national park is the only national park in Rwanda which offers amusing game drives safaris to visitors, this is due to its strategic location to the savannah plains. Game drives in the park is one of the most interesting and fascination adventure wildlife safaris in Rwanda. While on your Rwanda wildlife safari in the park, you will get to see most of the exciting wildlife species, lush savannah vegetation, rolling hills which gives the park very beautiful and scenic views. Games drives in the park are in a schedule times that’s to say morning game drives afternoon and evening game drives , all this game drives will offer you with amazing adventure experience in the wild where you will get to see most of the wildlife species such as buffaloes, elephants, lion, topi, elands, bush pigs, giraffes, rhino among other, bird species like Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’ Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback as well as some nocturnal species. Visitors on a wildlife safari in Akagera national park are always accompanied by the armed park ranger or guide who will be explaining and showing the visitor different species in the wild including theirs behaviors
Camping in Akagera National Park
Camping is a popular pastime in Akagera National Park because of the park’s relatively flat terrain, which makes setting up camp a breeze. Akagera National Park is home to three major camping areas where visitors can pitch a tent for the night such as Mutumba, Shakani, and Muyumbu. Tourists can get a view of the various ecosystems and fauna which are located throughout the park. Camping tents can be rented at the park’s headquarters at any time, and whichever campground you end up choosing will also supply you with firewood to keep you toasty at night.
A Boat cruise
In addition to the wildlife that calls Akagera national park home, visitors can also enjoy boating on the park’s many lakes, which also serve as important bird-breeding grounds. Ihema Lake is one of a popular spot for boat tours in the park and home to a wide variety of aquatic wildlife including hippos, crocodiles, and fish. Both Morning and evening boat cruises are available for around 180 US dollars per trip.
Sport fishing
Akagera national park is a perfect destination for sport fishing, the park offers exciting opportunities for angling. Cast your line into the lake and experience the thrill of catching fish in this pristine environment. Fishing in Akagera National Park also offers the traveler on a Rwanda tour an opportunity to learn about the various methods of fishing that are used in Rwanda such as gill net method, cast net method, scoop net method, spearing and shoot arrow method, Lampara, and hooking method. While carrying out sport fishing in the park, the visitors can enjoy a cold drink, listen to folk songs and tales or stories that are told by local fishermen.
Cultural encounters
Akagera national park offers the best cultural visit to every traveler on wildlife safari in Akagera National park. Visitors on a cultural tour in the neighboring communities around the park gets a chance to engage with local communities and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life. Akagera provides a unique opportunity to experience Rwanda beyond its natural beauty. During your Rwanda cultural tours at Akagera, you will learn about how to milk cows and traditions around cattle and milk on a farm in the Eastern Province; or spend time with banana beer and honey artisans and see how local products are made.
