Akagera National Park – Rwanda’s Premier Wildlife Safari Destination
Akagera National Park, founded in 1934, is Rwanda’s largest and oldest national park, covering 1,122 km² (433 sq mi) along the international border with Tanzania. Named after the Akagera River which flows along its eastern boundary, the park was originally established to protect animals and vegetation. Widely considered to be one of the most scenic parks in central-eastern Africa, Akagera’s extraordinary biodiversity ranges from impressive herds of herbivores that graze the open plains to rare and elusive birds that frequent the swamps.
Location and Geography
Akagera National Park is situated in the northeastern corner of Rwanda, comprising relatively warm and low-lying plains with savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes. The park includes savannah, montane and swamp habitats, creating a diverse ecosystem that supports a wide variety of wildlife.
History and Conservation
The park originally covered over 2,500 sq. km but in 1997 was reduced in size by close to 50%. Once decimated by poaching and habitat loss, Akagera has undergone a remarkable revival thanks to conservation efforts. Since 2010, when African Parks was invited to manage the park, significant improvements have been made to restore its wildlife populations and infrastructure.
Wildlife – The Big Five Experience
Akagera National Park is renowned for being one of the few places in Rwanda where visitors can experience the Big Five safari animals:
Major Wildlife Species
- Lions: Occasional sightings – Successfully reintroduced to the park
- Elephants: Occasional sightings
- Leopards: Rare but present
- Rhinos: Both white rhinos (occasional) and black rhinos (rare) can be found
- Buffalo: Common throughout the park
Other Wildlife
The game that can be seen includes the most usual plain species like topis, impalas, which seem to be dominant, with eland, oribi, masai giraffe, reed buck, sable and roan antelope, as well as defassa water buck. Giraffes are common and easily spotted during game drives.
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Aquatic Wildlife
The hippos, crocodiles inhabit the park’s lakes and rivers, particularly Lake Ihema.
Birdlife
Almost 500 bird species have been documented, making Akagera an important ornithological site. 179 butterfly species have been recorded, four new to the park. Bird varieties include the Goliath heron and African Sea Eagle.
Activities and Experiences
Game Drives
Guided by seasoned experts in open 4×4 vehicles, each safari drive brings you thrillingly close to Africa’s legendary wildlife. Morning Game Drive typically runs from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM and is the best time to see animals as they are most active.
Boat Safaris
Boat safaris on Lake Ihema offer unique opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds in their natural habitat.
Available Activities
Activities include boat rides, day and night game drives, fishing, camping, community cultural experiences, birding, behind the scenes and walk the line among others.
Guided Nature Walks
Guided walks showcase the park’s vibrant biodiversity and scenic landscapes.
Accommodation
The intimate safari camp, Magashi, is tucked away on the banks of Akagera’s picturesque Lake Rwanyakazinga, an exceptionally beautiful base from which to explore the park. The park offers various accommodation options ranging from luxury lodges to camping facilities.
Best Time to Visit
The park is accessible year-round, but the dry season (June to September and December to February) is generally considered the best time for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is less dense.
Conservation Success Story
In partnership with African Parks, the aim is to transform the National Park into a world-class location to experience a safari. The park has become a model for successful conservation in Africa, with wildlife populations recovering and new species being reintroduced.
Visitor Information
The largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing, making it perfect for both first-time safari visitors and experienced wildlife enthusiasts. The park offers excellent opportunities to see the Big Five in their natural habitat, combined with stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity.
A great new and commendable initiative was launched to ban single use plastic, demonstrating the park’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Why Visit Akagera?
Akagera National Park offers a complete East African safari experience in the heart of Rwanda. With its successful conservation story, diverse ecosystems, Big Five wildlife viewing, and range of activities from game drives to boat safaris, it provides an unforgettable African wilderness experience. The park’s transformation from a depleted reserve to a thriving ecosystem makes it not just a destination for wildlife viewing, but also a testament to successful conservation efforts in Africa.