Akagera National park : Gorilla Safaris Africa.
Akagera National Park is located in Tanzania’s borderlands, just East of Rwanda. It was established in 1943 with the main purpose of preserving the regional flora and animals. Akagera covers approximately 1122 km2 park is distinguished by a complexity of various flora types, including shrubs, deep woods, undulating hills, lakes, rivers, and marshes, as well as a broad assortment of birds and wildlife, including the big 5 mammals. You will not be able to regret your trip with all these benefits because they all work together to give you a variety activities to option from.
The River Kagera, which supplies Lake Ihema and other surrounding water sources, gave the park its name. In addition, the park features two gates: the Kayonza Southern Gate for welcoming visitors and Nyagatare Northern Gate for exiting them.
More than 500 different bird species, 100 elephants, more over 15 lions, 18 rhinos, and giraffes are among the park’s highlights. To give you just one-of-a-kind experiences throughout your visit, all of these roam the parks’ savannah plains.
Things to do in Akagera National Park.
Game drives:
When it comes to wildlife sightings, Akagera is the preferred savannah area for game drives. These cost $25 USD, $40 USD and are scheduled in the morning, afternoon and evening. A guide will accompany you as you drive through the park on these excursions, which are always exciting and full of surprises. They give visitors the chance to see animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, several antelope species, nocturnal bush infants and primates like baboons, monkeys, mongooses, owls among others. Moreover, viewpoints on photography will be presented.
Boat trips:
Another highlight of your trip to Akagera National park is this fascinating boat ride. This activity is popular among adrenaline junkies on Lake Ihema, which is adjacent to several bird breeding grounds. Views of hippos, crocodiles, and birds, including King Fisher, Fish eagles and Open hill storks are available during the activity. They are priced at 35 USD for adults and 25 USD for kids. In this boat, which leaves in the morning and the afternoon and takes around 2 hours, just 11 persons may fit.
Guided nature walks:
Another activity that lets nature enthusiasts get up close to the park’s assets is this one. This excursion gives you the chance to view some of the area’s rich wildlife and vegetation via the pathways in the park’s forest. The Buhoro and Imbaraga trails are two of the paths, each has a distinct color and promises only incredible encounters. Primates, birds, and different types of trees are among the sights to enjoy.
Bird watching:
Birders are included in this trip to Akagera National Park. The park is home to almost 500 different bird species, all of which will mesmerize you with their exquisite sounds when you see them. Grand Fish Eagles, the critically endangered Shoebill Stork, Raptors, Crowned Cranes, Marabou Storks, Papyrus Gonoleks, and Lesser Kestrels are just a few of the birds that can be seen. On the breath-taking boat trips, nature hikes, and wildlife drives in the park, you can see these birds.
Sport fishing:
In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the only place where spot fishing is legal. With the aim of catching tilapia and catfish, anglers begin their adventure sport on the shores of Lake Shakani. During this activity, you can watch hippos swimming and a variety of aquatic birds. You should be informed that licenses cost $20 USD and that only participants in the events are permitted to prepare their catches.
Cultural tours:
Learn about rural Rwandan living close to the settlements that border Akagera National Park and graze livestock. You get the chance to take part in traditional activities including calabash milk storage, conventional cow grazing, and conventional milking. Before assisting in the preparation of a meal using some of the ingredients from the milk products, you participate in the process of turning milk into a variety of products, including ghee and normal yogurt. The residents who reside close to the park are able to benefit financially from this genuine cultural experience and complement their agricultural income. The wild creatures in the park and the conservationist culture are ultimately supported by this.
Best time to visit the Akagera national park.
Akagera national park is best visited in the dry season when the roads are less slick. The dry season is also the best time to watch animals because the water tends to evaporate. Animals gather close to the few available water sources as a result. This season lasts from December to February. Tourists can visit the park during the rainy months of March and April if they find the intense heat and excessive dust of the dry season unpleasant.
Accessibility.
Akagera National Park is easily accessible because to a well-established network of roadways. Flying from Kigali International Airport, which serves as the main entrance point for connecting flights with Akagera Airlines that bring tourists to the park, is the simplest way to get to the park.
Using either public or private transportation, it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to get from Kigali City to any of the designated park entrances. Private transportation from the city to Kibungo takes close to one hour. NOTE: Due to the poor condition of the park’s roads during the rainy season, a 4WD vehicle is recommended. Driving time from Kampala, the capital of neighboring Uganda, to Rwanda’s Akagera national park is between 10 and 11 hours.
Accommodation.
You are advised to make your reservation as soon as you can, keeping in mind your budget and preferences, as there are fewer lodging options in Akagera National Park than in other Rwandan parks. The following amenities are accessible: Ruzizi Tented Camp, Magashi Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Dereva Hotel, Karenge Bush Camp. The cost for foreign visitors to stay at one of the three campgrounds is $20 USD.
Contact Active African Vacations for prompt answers to questions and more details about Akagera National Park.