From Kigali To Akagera National Park : Embark On An Epic African Adventure : Akagera National Park, which is on Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania, provides the standard wildlife safari experience. Majestic savannah, montane woodlands, and papyrus swamps are all included, and they all draw a variety of large mammals and bird species.
While the Rwandan genocide caused the park to become overrun with cattle and poachers, conservation efforts in the years since have resulted in the reintroduction of iconic species, such as lions and rhinos. Akagera’s community-based tourism program allows visitors to get up close and personal with zebras, giraffes, elephants, lake-dwelling hippos, and more than 400 different species of birds.
Everything you need to know about visiting Akagera National Park and the reasons it has become a must-see attraction in Rwanda will be covered in this guide. Discover Akagera’s Big Five inhabitants, what the park has to offer in terms of sights and activities, and what to expect from one of Rwanda’s most beautiful drives.
HISTORY OF AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
The Belgian government first recognized Akagera as a national park in 1934, when it had a total area of 2,500 square kilometers. Despite having a high biodiversity, the park and the local wildlife suffered greatly from years of disease, poaching, and civil war.
In the beginning, Akagera was home to a sizable population of African wild dogs that were deemed “pests” due to their overabundance. Sadly, a disease wiped them out; the last wild dogs were discovered in 1984. The black rhino population in the park, which was introduced from Tanzania in 1957, was wiped out by widespread poaching.
Since they were brought in from Kenya in 1986, Maasai giraffes have thrived more in Akagera National Park. There are currently more than 80 people living there. The park also had a healthy population of lions before the Rwandan Civil War, but many of them were killed by farmers who moved into the park after the conflict.
The Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Network came to an agreement in 2009 to jointly manage Akagera National Park. The Howard Buffett Foundation’s financial support has enabled the construction of a 120-kilometer fence and other security-related measures in the park. A canine anti-poaching unit has been put in place, and rhino trackers have been trained. In order to stop poaching, air surveillance helicopters are also frequently used.
The population of lions in Akagera National Park has increased to more than 40 since the introduction of seven of them in 2015 from South Africa. The “Big Five” (lions, African leopards, African bush elephants, rhinoceroses, and African buffalo) can now be found in Akagera thanks to the reintroduction of eastern black rhinoceroses and white rhinoceroses. In Akagera, the number of mammals has more than tripled since 2010—from 4,000 to more than 13,500.
THINGS TO DO IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Safari game drives
In order to see the “Big Five” and a variety of other wildlife species, a game drive in Akagera is a must-do during your Rwanda safari trip. Savannah and woodland excursions are offered both during the day and at night, when the park’s nocturnal inhabitants, such as civets and leopards, are most active.
Boat safari
With a large population of hippos and crocodiles, Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second-largest lake, is best explored by boat. You can watch animals come to the lakeshores to rehydrate while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding park.
Nature walks
Walking through some areas of Akagera is a great way to get up close to some of the park’s smaller species. Akagera’s nature trails provide opportunities to see vibrant butterflies, bugs, and plants that a game drive safari might easily miss.
Fishing
One of the best places to fish in Akagera National Park is Lake Ihema, where you can listen to birds chirping and hippopotamuses grunting in the background. Before roasting, frying, or grilling your catch, this is a great chance to practice your local fishing techniques.
Birding
Given that the park’s boundaries contain more than 480 species of birds, birdwatching in Akagera is a very rewarding activity. A knowledgeable guide can help you locate red-faced barbets, lesser kestrels, swamp flycatchers, Papyrus gonolex, and shoebills.
GETTING TO AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
The distance to Akagera National Park from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and Kigali International Airport, the nation’s primary airport, is approximately 110 kilometers, or 2.5 hours of driving. Major African cities, as well as Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Istanbul, and Dubai, provide international flights to it.
Although there are a few rough spots along the way, the road between Kigali and Akagera National Park is generally good. A 4×4 safari vehicle is the best way to navigate Akagera because the final 30 kilometers of the trip and all the roads inside the park are dirt.
RWANDA SAFARI: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All foreign nationals must have a visa to enter Rwanda; some are free upon arrival, and others cost money. Additionally, you will require a passport that is valid for at least six months and has at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps.
With a current passport and a valid visa, citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie nations may stay for up to 30 days. For a period of six months, East African Community members are permitted to stay in Rwanda.
Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, and Qatar citizens are all given free 90-day visas upon arrival.
All other nationals can submit an application online or at the local Rwandan consulate. However, the majority of governments advise travelers to be current on their tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, diphtheria, and typhoid vaccinations. If you are traveling to Rwanda from certain regions of the Americas or Africa, such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, you might need a yellow fever certificate.
It is advisable to talk with your doctor about the best anti-malarial medications because malaria is a problem in some areas of Rwanda. Pack long-sleeved clothing as well as pants to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes at night.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
The two dry seasons in Rwanda—December to February and June to September—are thought to be the ideal times for safaris in Akagera National Park. When it doesn’t rain and the grass is shorter, animals are easier to see, making these times ideal for outdoor activities.
The long rainy season in Akagera, which lasts from March to May, is excellent for birdwatching but can make the park’s dirt roads extremely muddy. The brief wet season, which lasts from October to November, is another excellent time for birdwatching. However, keep in mind that temperatures can get chilly at night during this time.
Looking for cultural experiences and safaris in Rwanda? Ask our East African travel experts for advice on organizing your adventure. Our Akagera National Park safari tour can be combined with Rwanda’s best safari lodges and gorilla tracking excursions in Uganda’s Bwindi, Great wildebeest migration safari in Serengeti and Maasai Mara, The Big five safari in Ngorongoro crater, and hiking tours in mount Kilimanjaro.
