Akagera National Park in Rwanda has a mix of lakes, Savannah, and marshes. It is home to many animals, a new luxury camp, and a strong conservation team. A Rwanda safari package covers all the attractions and activities found in Akagera.
Game Drives & Wildlife
The park is now home to the famous Big Five: buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and lions. You can see many animals in a short time on a game drive. According to the latest survey, Akagera has around 8,000 large animals, showing a big increase in wildlife in recent years.
The new fence built in 2013 has helped protect the animals and improve their numbers. While on a drive, you may see Burchell’s zebras, giraffes, impalas, topis (also called tsessebe in Southern Africa), bushbucks, elands, vervet monkeys, baboons, warthogs, mongooses, hippos, crocodiles, and even elephants—around 120 live in the park.
Other animals include buffaloes, sable and roan antelopes, reedbucks, oribis, and Defassa waterbucks, among others. A drive from the south to the north during the day gives you great views. From the top of the hills, you can see Lake Ihema and parts of Tanzania. There are plenty of animals to enjoy along the way.
Bird-watching
Akagera National Park is one of the few Rwandan bird-watching places where you can see a shoebill in the wild. The park is perfect for bird lovers. With over 500 bird species recorded, the number and variety of birds are impressive.
Rare birds in the park include the papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri), found only in papyrus swamps and considered near-threatened. Other birds you may see include Heuglin’s robin-chat, lilac-breasted roller, black-headed gonolek, grey hornbill, Ross’s turaco, crested barbet, red-faced barbet, and swamp flycatcher (Muscicapa boehmi), among many others.
Boat Cruise
A boat safari on Lake Ihema is a great way to enjoy a day in Akagera. During the heat, most animals rest in the shade, while others go to the water to drink and cool off. You can see crocodiles along the shores and hippos in the water, along with many water birds. You can choose a private boat ride or join a scheduled one that runs several times a day.
Sport Fishing
Lake Shakani offers sport fishing inside the park. You need to book in advance through the park offices. The main rule is catch-and-release, but you are allowed to keep one fish if you wish.
Nature Walks
Akagera has many good views that are best enjoyed on foot. Nature walks allow you to see small animals that are hard to spot during game drives, interesting plants, butterflies, calm lake waters, and water birds. Walking is peaceful and lets you enjoy nature at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Cultural Experiences
You can visit local communities near Akagera to learn about traditional Rwandan life. These visits often include seeing long-horned cattle and how they are cared for. You can also take part in traditional milk handling, where milk is stored in calabashes.
You may also help with making local meals, brewing local beer, or learning how milk is turned into products like ghee and traditional yogurt. These cultural activities are not only enjoyable but also help local people earn extra income, which supports both the community and conservation of the park.
Security
Akagera National Park is well protected by security guards who prevent poaching and illegal entry. Visitors are checked at the gate before entering. At the reception, you will receive a safety briefing on how to behave in the park. During activities, a guide and an armed ranger will go with you to ensure safety and help avoid incidents like animal attacks.
Location of Akagera National Park
Akagera is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kigali and is easy to visit before or after a gorilla trek. The roads are good, and the park offers a beautiful Savannah setting. You can use public transport, but it is better to rent a car with a driver or contact us to help plan your visit. This will make your safari more comfortable and easier to manage than using public transport.
