Akagera National Park is a famous Savannah wildlife destination in Rwanda, inhabited by diverse wildlife, including a rich bird-life of over 500 bird species, inclusive of both residential and migratory birds.
Akagera is among the best birding safari destinations in the country, and a visit to the Savannah park will give you a great chance of seeing the endangered and popular Shoebill stork, a large grey bird that is famous among bird watchers.
Akagera National Park has a number of lakes, marshes, and swamps, creating a large wetland that provides a good habitat for the Shoebill stork, which you can see during your birding safari in Akagera, which can be done anytime of the year.
This will give you a great opportunity to see the elusive stork in its natural habitat and get to know more about its different behaviors (feeding, breeding) and interesting facts.
You will also get to see other bird species that call Akagera home and the animals within the park, including the African big 5.
Facts about the Shoebill Stork in Akagera National Park
- Shoebills are considered endangered bird species mainly attributed to habitat loss as a result of human activities like hunting and encroachment on the swamps and wetlands.
- They have a shoe-like bill from which they get their name. Their bills are big and strong and are a striking feature on the bird.
- The lungfish is the Shoebill’s favorite meal, and they are known for being solitary hunters. They also feed on smaller reptiles and amphibians.
- Shoebills are very patient birds known for standing still for a number of hours as they wait for their prey to cross their path.
- Shoebills poop on their own legs as a way of regulating their body temperature, especially during the hot season.
- Shoebills are known to be brave and aggressive birds. They are known for challenging monitor lizards and baby crocodiles.
- Shoebills can live up to 35 years in the wild.
- The female shoebill usually lays 1-3 eggs, which both sexes take turns to incubate.
- The older and stronger shoebill young ones are known for poking their weaker siblings, ending up in chasing them out of the nests.
- Tropical wetlands and swamps are the natural habitats of Shoebill storks, and Akagera National Park, being covered with diverse wetlands, provides the best habitat for these unique storks.
Go Shoebill tracking for a higher chance of seeing the elusive big grey stork in its natural habitat in the wetlands of Akagera National Park.
While at it, do enjoy the sightings of the other different bird species that call Akagera home, like the papyrus gonolek, swamp flycatchers, kingfishers, African fish eagles, red-faced barbets, brown-chested lapwing, francolins, egrets, among others. The best time to visit Akagera National Park for Shoebill tracking is during the dry months of June, July, August, and September.
Other activities to engage in during your visit to Akagera National Park include game drives, safari walks, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, and hot air balloon rides over the Savannah park.
You can easily access Akagera National Park from Kigali by road (2-3 hours) or by air from Kigali airport or connecting from other national parks.
Visit Akagera National Park in Rwanda with these recommended Rwanda tour companies or send us an inquiry below to book through us directly.
