Getting to Akagera National Park : Getting to Akagera national park is quite straightforward; it’s situated in the northeastern part of Rwanda, around 110 kilometers away from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. This beautiful park is filled with green landscape and offers a chance to see a variety of wildlife and birds. The best way to reach the park is by car. The roads are mostly in good shape, though you might encounter a few bumps along the way. The final stretch of 28 kilometers is mainly on dirt roads, as are the paths within the park, so it’s a good idea to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle, especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season. You can travel to Akagera National Park by road from Kigali City, which takes about 2-3 hours. Alternatively, there are charter flights available through Akagera Aviation that can get you to the park from Kigali International Airport in just 30 minutes.
Getting to Akagera national park by road transport
To reach Akagera national park after arrival at Kigali Airport, you can take a bus or arrange for a vehicle from the city. Head east on Rwamagana Road to Kayonza town, and then take the first right road up to Discentre station. From there, turn left to Kabarondo, which is about 15 kilometers to Rwinkwavu, a town close to the park. Achieves Global Safari Operator will set you up with a comfortable 4×4 vehicle, along with an experienced driver and a guide.
Getting to Akagera national park by Flight.
You can reach Akagera National Park by flight, which makes for a distinct adventure. The flight from Kigali International Airport takes only around 15 minutes to arrive at the helipad near Magashi Tented Camp, making it convenient for visitors staying at the camp. Akagera Aviation provides daily flights to the park in the morning and evening. To make things simple, you can book your flight through a tour operator who will handle everything for you, including your airport transfers and transportation to your hotel in the park.
About Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a natural wonderland of wetlands, lakes, savannah plains, and mountainous terrain surrounded by carefully terraced hills. This attractive area was designated as a national park in 1934 and was named for the river that runs through it, the River Kagera. Akagera National Park’s size was reduced from 2,500 sq km to its current size. It is situated in the northeast of Rwanda, bordering Tanzania. The park has different vegetative zones and a plethora of mammal and bird species, some of which are exclusively found in Akagera National Park.
The park is the only game park in Rwanda where you can do wildlife viewing. This stunning park gives you the opportunity to spot the Big Five wildlife in Rwanda, such as lions, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. Other wildlife that you can also see includes the Maasai giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, warthog, olive baboon, vervet monkey, hippo, impala, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, common duiker, eland, and topi, among others.
The park is surrounded by nine lakes that are popular attractions, including Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakazinga, Lake Mihindi, Lake Hago, Lake Kibumba, Lake Cyambwe, Lake Nasho, and Lake Mpange. Each of these lakes has unique features that make them exciting for visitors. Lake Ihema, the largest of the lakes, is particularly important to the park’s ecosystem. It gets its water from the Kagera River and is home to various wildlife.
Tourism activities in Akagera National Park
Boat cruise safaris
Boat cruise safaris in the Akagera national park are one of the peaceful but rewarding exciting activities. This activity is perfect for those looking to have unforgettable moments during their visit. You can opt for a sundowner boat tour, which is great for people who want to watch animals at dusk and take in a stunning sunset while relaxing on the water. The boat excursion lasts about 2 to 3 hours and provides you with an unforgettable experience of Rwanda National Park. Trips leave at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. There are also three pre-planned boat rides (day, morning, and sundown) to experience the park from the water level, which is surrounded by crocodiles, hippos, and birds.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing in Akagera National Park mainly takes place at Lake Shakani, which is famous for its variety of fish, especially tilapia and catfish. Visitors can spend the day relaxing and fishing on the lake’s shoreline, then cook their catch over an open fire at their campsite. Those who plan to fish in the park should remember to bring their own gear. Akagera National Park also organizes fishing competitions. The Akagera National Park also hosts fishing events. These events are held on specific dates, so anyone interested in taking part should reach out to the management at Akagera Game Lodge for more details.
A game drive
A game drive in Akagera National Park is the greatest way to experience the best of Rwanda’s wildlife. It’s the only place to spot the impala, topi, and the Big Five. You can choose between a morning game drive to see the morning hunters and grazers; or an afternoon, evening, or night game drive to see the nocturnal animals in the park. Guided tours navigate through diverse habitats, where you can see animals like buffalo, elephants, Defassa Waterbuck, Topis, Bohor Reedbucks, Oribis, Semi-Aquatic Sitatunga, Eland, giraffes, and lions. The night drive offers a chance to spot bush babies and leopards, guided by a ranger with a flashlight.
Birding
Akagera Park is the only savannah park in the country of a thousand hills, boasting over 525 bird species, some of which are endemic to the park. While on your Rwanda birding safari, you’ll have the chance to spot different colorful bird species such as the Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, and Grey-crowned Cranes. The park is also home to good populations of raptors and large numbers of water birds.
