Akagera National Park is the only place where you can get a chance to see giraffes in Rwanda, as it is the only Savannah park in the country providing the perfect home for the tallest animal on earth, the giraffe. The park is located in the east of Rwanda, bordering Tanzania.
There are different species of giraffes on the African continent, and in Akagera National Park, you will find the Rothschild giraffes.
The park is home to over 80 giraffe individuals, whose increasing population is attributed to the great conservation efforts and initiatives carried out in Akagera.
Giraffes live in open grassland Savannahs; therefore, the only place to spot them in Rwanda is in Akagera National Park.
Some of the other wildlife to spot in Akagera include zebras, lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, hyenas, hippos, antelopes like waterbucks, oribis, impalas, topis, crocodiles, among others, and about 500 different bird species.
A few interesting facts about giraffes
- They are the tallest land animals.
- Giraffes are herbivorous animals.
- Female giraffes are called cows, males are bulls, and the young ones are called calves.
- They have a lifespan of up to 26 years in the wild.
- The male giraffe is bigger and heavier than the female giraffe.
- They live and move in groups of about 20 – 50 individuals made up of females, males, and calves.
- Female giraffes are more sociable than male giraffes.
- Both male and female giraffes have ossicones. These are horn-like features on their heads.
- The cows have a gestation period of 15 months.
- A newborn giraffe calf stands at 6 feet.
- Male giraffes are darker in complexion compared to female giraffes. An easy way to differentiate the sexes from a distance.
Accessing Akagera National Park
The Savannah park can be accessed by road from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on a 2-3-hour drive, or by air from Kigali Airport. This could be a helicopter transfer or a small aircraft charter flight.
While in Akagera National Park
You can engage in different activities to explore the Savannah park, which include game drives, wildlife boat cruises on some lakes within the park, guided nature walks, bird-watching, hot air balloon safaris, among others, with the drier months of the year being the recommended months to visit the park for excellent game viewing safaris.
That is December, January, and February and the months of June to September.
Visit Akagera National Park in Rwanda with these recommended Rwanda tour companies or send us an inquiry below to book through us directly.
