An Akagera safari involves spotting large herds of game, occasional chance sightings, as well as long, glorious hours on the road. However, proper planning is required for achieving smooth and unforgettable safari experiences. Here’s our ultimate guide to Akagera National Park that describes the History, location, and size of the Protected Area, things to see and do, accommodation options, best time to visit, and how to get there. Akagera National Parks is a must visit on your Rwanda safari with Alba Wonders Africa

History, Location, and Size of Akagera National Park

Covering 112,200 hectares, Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five Game and is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda, close to the Tanzania border. This phenomenal savanna and wetland-protected area was gazetted in 1934, hence making it the second oldest National Park in the country after Volcanoes National Park.

Akagera’s landscape is characterized by sweeping savannah grasslands, Valleys, woodlands, small lakes, and a network of wetlands.

This Protected Area’s name was derived from the River Kagera, which pours its water into several water bodies, such as Lake Ihema, which is also found in the National Park. Additionally, it lies at an elevation of between 1220 meters along the Kagera River Valley and 2000 meters in the Mutumba Hills. These Hills reward visitors with the jaw-dropping views of the scenic Lakes and Papyrus swamps to the Eastern end of Akagera.

Things to see in/around Akagera National Park

Being the only savannah National Park in Rwanda, there are lots of savannah-dwelling animals to look out for.

Wildlife

Akagera is home to all the Big 5 game species- Black and white Rhinos, Lions, Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, and leopards. Aside from the Big Five Game, other wildlife species that call this 1122-square-kilometer Protected Area home include Olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, Topis, Giant elands, Defassa waterbucks, Masai giraffes, bush babies, impalas, spotted hyenas, Burchell’s zebras, hippos, bushbucks, Oribis, klipspringers, duikers, bush babies, There are also crocodiles, which are spotted during boat rides on Lake Ihema.

Birdlife

With a checklist of over 520 bird species, Akagera National Park is a World-class birding destination. Here, you will come across terrestrial and aquatic bird species that include yellow-throated leaf-love, white browed coucal, African fish eagles, Augur buzzards, Shelley’s francolins, brown-chested lapwing, double-toothed barbet, slate-colored boubou, black-headed weaver birds, marsh tchagra, red-faced barbets, papyrus gonoleks, pennant-winged nightjars, cattle egrets, marabou stork, shoebill storks, semi-collared flycatchers, ring-necked francolins, the grey-backed fiscals, long-toed birds, long-crested eagles, monarch flycatchers, wattle eye, black-crowned night heron, the sooty chat, blue-shouldered robin-chat, grasshopper buzzard, and many others.

Things to do in Akagera National Park Rwanda

Game drives

Akagera National Park, as you can imagine, is packed with animals, and you can see a lot of them driving down the main game tracks and waterholes. You will also appreciate the vastness of the land of the Protected Area when undertaking game drives.

While on these 3-4-hour game drives, get your camera ready to sight and take photos of the Maasai giraffes, impalas, lions, spotted hyenas, Cape buffaloes, serval cats, Olive baboons, leopards, Black and white rhinos, waterbucks, blue monkeys, Giant Elands, duikers.

Boat Trips

Lasting 2-3 hours, boat trips on Lake Ihema provide sights and sounds of Hippos, crocodiles, and large herds of African bush elephants and Cape buffaloes, as well as antelopes. This adventure is also an opportunity to watch the Park’s birds, including African fish eagles, Augur buzzards, Shelley’s francolins, brown-chested lapwing, double-toothed barbet, slate-colored boubou, black-headed weaver birds, marsh tchagra, red-faced barbets, papyrus gonoleks,

Birding

Whether on game drives, boat cruises, and guided bush walks, you can watch at least 50-100 of the Park’s 520 bird species that include Slate-colored boubou, black-headed weaver birds, marsh tchagra, red-faced barbets, papyrus gonoleks, pennant-winged nightjars, cattle egrets, marabou stork, shoebill storks, semi-collared flycatchers, ring-necked francolins, the grey-backed fiscals, long-toed birds, long-crested eagles, monarch flycatchers, wattle eye, black-crowned night heron, the sooty chat, blue-shouldered robin-chat, grasshopper buzzard, to mention but a few.

Sport fishing

Done in Lake Shakani, sport fishing tours are also offered in Akagera National Park, with the commonly-caught species being Catfish, Nile tilapia, Nile perch, and others. Fishing gear and permits are required for Anglers to enjoy spot fishing tours in Akagera National Park.

Hot Air Balloon tour

Experience the magic of soaring over the scenic Lakes, savannah grasslands, woodlands, and lush valleys. These tours are provided with ultimate safety, with pilots and guides ensuring a smooth journey, while sighting the different wildlife species that call the Park home. The adventure starts with converging at the starting point before sunrise, and coffee is served while you watch the hot air balloon being inflated and prepared for flight.

Nature walks

Guided bush/nature walks in Akagera National Park offer something a little different for visitors yearning for something other than a safari by vehicle. These tours reach areas that are unreachable by a 4×4 Safari vehicle, allowing visitors to use all five senses- taste, sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Behind-the-scene tours

The behind-the-scenes tour introduces visitors to the wildlife and nature conservation journey in Akagera National Park while experts/Ranger guides explain the rehabilitation techniques that are used on different wildlife species.

When to visit Akagera National Park for a wildlife safari

Although Rwanda welcomes visitors to Akagera National Park all year round, the most popular time to visit is during the dry season (June to September and December to February).

During these months, particularly when temperatures are hot, animals tend to gather around the few remaining waterholes, providing a wonderful opportunity to witness various wildlife species, especially Masai giraffes, zebras, impalas, elephants, buffaloes, and even Rhinos up close and personal.

However, it is not impossible to visit Akagera National Park during the wetter months (starting from March to May, then October to November). However, it is something more challenging to spot animals, given that the dense vegetation and tall grasses tend to consume the vast landscape.

Akagera National Park accommodation

Akagera National Park boasts several accommodation options inside the Protected Area and several others outside. These options range from Luxury to Budget, and include Wilderness Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Akagera Transit Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Akagera Rhino Lodge, and many others.

Getting to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is situated in the East of Rwanda, close to the Tanzanian Border, with the nearest Town being Rwamagana.

If you are on a Rwandan road trip, you will be driving from Kigali, which is about 120 kilometers/3 hours from the entrance gates of the Park.

However, the faster and more convenient way of getting to Akagera National Park is by the 30-minute helicopter flight from Kigali International Airport, provided by Akagera Aviation. This option also provides scenic aerial views of the country.