Akagera National Park Rwanda, Akagera National Park covers an area of about 1,2000k2. And it is located in the eastern side of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania and Kibungu is the city that is nearest to the park and the best starting point.
The park can be reached in just about 2- 3 hours from the capital Kigali Uganda’s capital and its largest city. It is regarded as the most known Savanna reserve found in Rwanda. One of Africa’s oldest national parks, first gazetted in 1934 and it’s regarded as the largest protected wetland not only in the east but also in central Africa.
Akagera national park was named after the Akagera River the most remote source of the Nile. Which flows a long its Eastern boundary feeding into several lakes the largest of which is Lake Ihema.
Several activities can be arranged on the lake; the most interesting is the boat cruise which takes about 2 hours. While exploring wild species that live and feed on the lake like schools hippo, crocodiles, birds, elephants and buffaloes can be seen on the shoreline.
The Akagera national park is above all big game country! Herds of elephant and buffalo emerge from the woodland to drink at the lakes, spotted hyenas and lion can be seen by lucky visitors, zebras, giraffe, several species of antelopes most commonly the handsome chestnut-coated impala, cape eland oribi and secretive bush-buck, warthogs can be seen at the park . The park also houses over 500 species of birds most of them are hardly seen elsewhere.
Game drive is the major safari activity done at the park. The park is gifted with a wide biodiversity of wild games which are so fantastic to see.
Arranged either in the morning or evening. And a ranger guide is always available to take you through the savannah. And woodland grassland to catch up with different species of wildlife. Like elephant, buffaloes, different species of antelopes, gazelle, spotted hyena, warthogs, Burchall’s zebra and giraffe among many others can be seen. Game drives are recommended to be done in a tourist 4×4 wheel drive
This is a two to three hours boat ride along the lake Ihema Rwanda’s second largest lake. The boat ride provide more chance to see more species of wildlife that live and feed on the lake. Including schools of hippo and crocodiles, buffaloes and elephant may be spotted along the shoreline and the lake is a fantastic sighting to some great aquatic bird if lucky you can spot a rare shoebill among other bird species.
This is also regarded as one of the most interesting activities done at the park, at the lake Shakani. Visitors are recommended to come with their fishing equipment’s in order to avoid being disappointed , tilapia, are the common type caught in the lake among other fish species
Akagera national park houses over 500 different species of birds, so bird lovers are gift with this chance, you are recommended to come with a first camera good at shooting. The park has good experienced guides who are not only kin watchers but also passionate in the field, they will take you through all the trails good at spotting, and in the process they will give you relative information on any species they come a cross.
Birds to see include Papyrus gonolek, shoebill stock, as well as migrant birds attracted by seasonal fluctuations in the water levels among others and if you are lucky you may even get to see the elusive shoebill stork the latter perhaps the most eagerly sought of all African birds.
When visiting Akagera National Park in Rwanda, there are a few options for accommodation. Here are some popular choices:
You are always advised to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred choice. Consider your budget, desired level of comfort, and the experience you seek while choosing the accommodation option that suits you best.
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