Akagera National Park

Akagera is the only savannah national park of Rwanda established in 1934 to protect wildlife which included the big five mammals; black rhino, lion, leopard, elephant and cape buffalo.The park is located in north eastern side of Rwanda on the border with Tanzania and covers an area of about 1,200 sq km which include diverse habitats that range from savannah, bush thickets, wetland and tropical forests. It was named after Akagera River which meanders along the eastern boundary of the park where it forms several swamp fringed lakes that make one of the largest protected wetland systems in central Africa. It is one of the untouched wilderness with beautiful scenery.
Wildlife and History Of the Park
Wildlife in Akagera experienced serious poaching in the past leading to extinction of black rhinos and lions. Shortly after the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsi, the park was occupied by refuges leading to deforestation and slaughter of wild animals.Thanks to African parks since it took management of the park in 2010 in partnership with Rwanda government, Akagera’s wildlife and past glory has been restored through law enforcement. In 2015, 20 lions from South Africa were re-introduced in the parkand by2017, a number of 18 Black rhinos and more than 20lions were re-introduced and their numbers are steadily increasing.Visiting Akagera national park for wildlife viewing is also a way of support conservation of wildlife in Rwanda. In addition, the park is rich in wildlife including large population of elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and several species of antelopes such as topi, eland, water buck, sprinkler which attract tourists for wildlife viewing safaris.The River Kagera itself and other lakes such as Lake Ihema and an island are homeland hippos and Nile crocodiles and over 490 bird species.
Game viewing by vehicle is the best way to explore the park’s wildlife while a boat trip on Lake Ihema offers view of hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds.

African parks have been able to address conservation challenges with local communities who have benefited from the park’s revenue fees. This has reduced poaching, illegal grazing, increasing animal numbers as well as boasting community tourism around the park.
Activities and attractions
Game drive safaris
The park boasts the big 5 mammals, that is lion, black rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo as well as a variety of antelopes, zebras and giraffes. Game drive safaris are best for viewing these mammalsin the savannah plains of the park along the swamps.Game drives can be guided or self-driveand are best conducted early morning startingand late afternoon.
Antelope species that can be seen in the main game area include impala, eland, bohor reedbuck, topi, duiker, klipspringer and bushbucks. There are primates such as baboons, blue and velvet monkeys, bush babies are also found in the park.
Boat safaris
Boat cruises on Lake Ihema the largest lake in the park offers spectacular birding and watching hippos and Nile crocodiles. You may also see mammals that come to shores to drink such as buffalo, elephant, waterbucks and the elusive swamp dwelling antelope sitatunga.Private boat cruises can be arranged any time of the day, however, theofficial Rwanda Development Board boat operate four rounds a day with the 7:30 am, 9 am, 3:30 pm and sunset cruise at 5 pm.
Birding
The diverse habitats in the park create home to over 490 birdspecies including globally threatened species such as shoebill stork, yellow warblers and papyrus gonelock among others. Guided birding trails in and around the park have been established including wooden raised bird viewing platforms. Birding is done on foot through the park to the swamp where shoebill stork can be spotted as well as on boat cruises for water birds.

Behind the scenes
Visitors to Akagera with interest in learning about conservation and management of the park can participate in behind the scenes. This includes visitors meeting park staff as well as locals who are involved in conservation and tourism sharing their experience.
Accommodations
Akagera offers limited luxury lodges and but with a lot of camping opportunities. Few of the lodges include the luxuryAkagera game lodge with rooms which are decorated with African fabrics.
Ruzizi tented camp is the only second lodge within Akagera national park along the shores of lake Ihema giving a close stay with wildlife.
There are also several camping sites in and around Akagera national park which enable tourists to stay longer in the park enjoying activities such as wildlife viewing, boat riding, and nature walks and birding. They include, Karenge Bush camp, Shakani Campsite, Mutamba Campsite and Muyumba Campsites.
Getting there
Akagera national park lies on the eastern border of Rwanda with Tanzania and accessible by public transport. From Kigali city, it takes 2-3-hour drive to enter the park through south at Kiyonza, the main entrance gate near the main visitor center where activities begin from.