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
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.
Akagera National Park: Location
Must Visit Top Destinations Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
Akagera National Park
Comprised of the perfect complement of varied wildlife habitat - savannah, open plains, woodlands, lakes, and papyrus swamps - offering exciting game viewing and photographic opportunities in numerous types of environments.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees
Gishwati Mukura National Park
Rwanda’s fourth national park, Gishwati Mukura is made up of two separate forests – the larger Gishwati and small Mukura, forming a total of 34 square kilometres plus a buffer zone.
OUR ACCREDITATIONS & BOOKING SECURITY
Across Wilderness Expedition Ltd is licensed by the Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and is also affiliated
with multiple booking platforms.