Stargazing in Akagera National Park – Gazing at the stars is a magical moment always to remember. At Akagera National Park, stars lie on a blanket of the amazing dark sky, reflecting light on the earth and bringing a new astro-dimension experience.
On the dusty edge of Rhino Lodge, campfires are lit after a long day of driving through the bush to watch the Big Five, go fishing, and hike along the raised escarpments in the jungle.
This kind of safari involves gathering a group of people in one place.
Camps collect a variety of visitors, which in most cases creates a lot of fun as everyone shares stories about themselves. To avoid straining your neck muscles, telescopes are used to add excitement to the adventure.
If you are at Akagera, there are tips that can help you view the stars comfortably. Just remember that stargazing is best during the new moon period. This is when everything in the sky is dark, and the only visible features are the stars.
There are days when clouds cover the skies, which is not good for stargazing since they block the stars. If you would like to take part in this activity, first consult your tour guide for proper guidance.
To avoid confusion, bring your laptop or iPad for research, or ask the tour guides since they are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the park. They can even direct you to the constellations that change throughout the year and help you identify them through certain tales, making it easier for you to spot them.
Some of the common constellations that are easily seen throughout the world include Cygnus the Swan. The story behind its formation is very interesting. Once upon a time, there lived the god Zeus, who wanted to seduce the goddess Nemesis. To do so, he transformed into a swan. After succeeding in his mission, he placed the form of the swan among the stars.
Scorpio and Orion also have a story behind them. A long time ago, there lived Orion, a very skillful hunter who vowed to kill all animals on earth. This angered the goddess, and she sent a scorpion to kill him. To set an example for others, Orion was placed in the night sky.
Since Orion feared the scorpion, he is positioned 180° apart from it, creating stars that are 180° apart from each other.
There is also another enticing story of Canis Major. Once, Cephalus found a dog destined never to lose a chase and owned it. He later sent it to chase Teumessian, a fox destined never to get caught.
To resolve this endless chase, Zeus placed them in the night sky, where they continue their pursuit for all eternity.
Stargazing at Akagera National Park is a dream come true for all tourists.
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