Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park: Background Info

Akagera National Park is comprised of the perfect complement of varied wildlife habitat - savannah, open plains, woodlands, lakes, and papyrus swamps. This translates to exciting game viewing and photographic opportunities in numerous types of environments. The Big Five are readily spotted as well as at least 482 species of birds, including the rare shoebill stork. This scenic wetland reserve is a huge conservation success story for Rwanda.

The beauty of Akagera National Park located in Rwanda includes not only the numerous species of animals inhabiting the savanna and wetland areas but the history behind this stunning national park. Akagera suffered devastating impacts from a civil war 20 years ago when the lions and rhinos were hunted and the biodiversity was almost destroyed. Since then, Akagera rebuilt itself to become a sanctuary for many different types of animals including the endangered rhinoceros.This wildlife safe haven is a must-see if you’re in the area. The park ranks #1 for biggest, protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa and includes hundreds of species of birds, mammals and fish. Akagera is a hot spot for educational field trips so don’t be surprised to run into school children with their class while you’re there!

Akagera National Park: Destination Preview

The Experience: Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park Rwanda is found in North Eastern Rwanda, at the country’s border with Tanzania. It is dominated by swamps and small lakes with flow in the wake of River Kagera. The network of water sources and unique landscape together create very spectacular scenery. It is quite a remarkable eco-system. The Park was obviously named after River Kagera that feeds different water bodies including Lake Ihema. Surrounded by cultivated hills, that are so much a part of Rwanda scenery, the scenery of Akagera national Park is quite simply beautiful. The landscape is low, composed of wide plains dominated by grass, cactus-like Euphorbia candelabra shrub and both thick and thin forests although it does carry on with the general rugged terrain that is so characteristic of Rwanda.

Widely considered to be one of the most scenic parks in central-eastern Africa, Akagera’s extraordinary biodiversity ranges from impressive herds of herbivores that graze the open plains to rare and elusive birds that frequent the swamps. Following lion and rhino reintroductions, Akagera now boasts thriving populations of these, as well as elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and leopard, while the waterways teem with hippo and enormous crocodiles. Akagera comprises a spectacular open expanse of wilderness and wetlands and lakes – in fact, a third of the 1,200 km² Park is dominated by water, making it the largest protected wetland in eastern-central Africa. Birders can seek out several Lake Victoria-endemic species including the red-faced barbet and papyrus gonolek.

Wildlife

The Akagera national park serves as home to a great diversity of wild animals among which are: elephants, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras, giraffe and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Topis, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, duikers and impalas. There are a number of primates species found within this park such as the olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, and the nocturnal bush babies. The shallow waters of Lake Ihema are home to a large number of crocodiles and hippos which can best be viewed during boat rides.

The game drives here are conducted in the early morning or in the late afternoon lead by tour guides in 4WD safari vehicles. unique about this park is that each game drive is exceptional in its own way unveiling full new surprises as nature reveals its treasures in form of wonders that are so scenic, the wildlife like buffaloes, elands, topis, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, monkeys, savannah birds, civets, leopards, the hyenas, as well as the serval cats all for you to marvel at. These guided game drives also mean that you will be accompanied by the guide who is so knowledgeable about the flora and the fauna that is found in the park.

Birdlife

This park is one of the places that is not to be missed by any birder along with the great Nyungwe forest national park. It harbors 520 species of birds which are found in this national park. The birders who visit Akagera National Park are always impressed by the large number and great diversity of the bird species that range from water birds to forest birds, and also savannah species as well as migratory bird species. There are also a number of species that are endemic to the park and are so rare like the papyrus gonolex which is found in the papyrus swamps. There are also the localized red faced barbets, and the swamp fly catcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork all found in Akagera National park. Other species include: fish eagles, Grey-backed Fiscals, Cattle Egret, Black-headed & Viellot’s Black Weavers, Hamerkop, Pied Crow, Sacred & Hadada Ibis, Long-crested Eagle and the Augur Buzzard.