About Akagera National Park
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Brief Over view
Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda, sharing the border with Tanzania. It’s characterized by woodland, swamps, low mountains and savannah. The national park shelters wildlife including zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and lots of bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. The park has a vast lake Ihema which is home to hippos and crocodiles.
Area: 1,200 km²
Established: 1934
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Where is Akagera National Park Located?
[/cz_title]Akagera National Park is located in the north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. The name of the park is derived from the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary to Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, Savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera amongst the most scenic of reserves anywhere in Africa. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Akagera National Park – a different landscape than the rest of Rwanda – Rwanda’s Big-5 Game Park with lots of Things to do and see
[/cz_title]Akagera Wildlife Safaris
Akagera has splendid open Savanna Plains, broad-leaved trees and pleasant hills, candelabra Euphoria Trees, Lakes like lake Ihema teaming with crocodiles and the large concentration of hippos. lots of wild animals like Maasai Giraffes, Burchell Zebras, Elephants, Buffaloes, various species of Antelopes such as the Defassa Waterbuck, Topi, roan antelopes, the large Eland Antelopes, Bohor Reedbuck, Oribi, Common Duiker, Klipspringer and the semi-aquatic Sitatunga Antelopes, the Lions and Rhinos are back in Akagera National Park.[/cz_title]
Birding at Akagera National Park
Akagera shelters over 100 species of birds and thats why Birders will find it a natural treasure trove with over 520 species represented here with over 100 species of birds not found elsewhere in Rwanda.
You can find 44 species of Raptors, Papyrus Gonolek, Shoebill Storks and a lot of Migrant birds, among them, are the Lesser Kesterel, Great Snipe.[/cz_title]
Game Drives & Nature Walks
Game drives mean that you are accompanied by a Guide who is knowledgeable about the flora and fauna found in the park.
While on game drives the travellers should should stay within the vehicle unless the park guide sees it as safe to get out and take a look around.
Travellers need to pack snacks or lunch For longer game drives from the lodge and in our case, we have an ample supply of drinking water for you.
Guided Nature Walks including Birding Walks can also be taken at this national park– Rwanda.[/cz_title]
Nocturnal Night Game Drives
Nocturnal – Night Game Drives are one of the most exciting activity as you venture out with spotlights to see the creatures of the night found in Akagera
A nocturnal drive through Akagera Park is very different from the day – at night there is a good opportunity to see the predators on the prowl looking for dinner.
One will be able to see a few leopards, a Lion, several cats, civets, lions, hyenas all out during the night. looking for something to eat.
During the nocturnal drive one has to drive very slowly in order not to miss wildlife. even nocturnal birds and bush babies and their large eyes.
A nocturnal drive is about 2 hours in length and gives you a different perspective of the national park at night which is different from the drive during day.[/cz_title]
Boating Safaris on Lake Ihema
Boat cruise Safaris are normally the highlight of a visit to the park in East Africa and so it it is with a boating safari on Lake Ihema in this National Park.
Lake Ihema has one of the largest concentration of hippos and this is what attracts tourists and so are the very large crocodiles that you will find along the shores of the lake.
You will find countless water birds while on the boating safari on Lake Ihema and hopefully, you will spot a Shoebill Stork.[/cz_title]
Exploring the beauty in Akagera National Park
[/cz_title][cz_gallery layout=”cz_metro_6 cz_grid_c3″ hover_fx=”cz_grid_siv” img_fx=”cz_grid_zoom_in” icon=”” id=”cz_26283″ images=”1075,1087,1074,1086,1090,1088,1089,1092,1079,1093,1091″ custom_size=”300×300″ sk_con=”padding-right:40px;”]SUGGESTED SAFARIS TO AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
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2 Days Akagera Wildlife Safari
2 Days Akagera Wildlife Safari Overview Want to experience the best of wildlife game drives in Rwanda, Book this 2 days Akagera Wildlife Safari itinerary to Rwanda's only Savannah park where you will be rewarded with exhilarating magical experiences with…
2 Days Akagera National Park Tour
2 Days Akagera National Park Tour Overview This 2 days Akagera national park tour offers you the exceptional and fulfilling wildlife safari game drive encounters in Rwanda's only big five safari destination, the Akagera national park. Akagera national park stands…
1 Day Akagera National Park Tour
The 1 Day Akagera National Park Tour is a classic Rwanda wildlife safari trip that will leave you amazed with the beauty of Rwanda. Visit Akagera National Park and experience the beautiful Savannah and lash green forested areas giving you…
ACCOMMODATION IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
There are a number of lodges and hotels in Rwanda where you can stay for the duration of your safari in Akagera National Park
[/cz_title]Hotels & Lodges in Pictures
[/cz_title][cz_gallery layout=”cz_grid_c2 cz_grid_l2″ hover=”cz_grid_1_yes_all” hover_fx=”cz_grid_siv” img_fx=”cz_grid_zoom_in” icon=”” id=”cz_33535″ images=”1099,1112,1101,1103,1104,1105,1108,1109,1110,1111″ custom_size=”500×380″ sk_con=”padding-right:40px;”]Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Designed and built by the Akagera management company, Ruzizi tented lodge was opened in 2013 and has since then been offering good accommodation for tourists in Rwanda. It is a 20-bed tented Eco-camp linked together using boardwalks, and is the first of its kind in Rwanda. It is located on the shores of Lake Ihema and has some very impressive African style decor.
It was creatively designed to blend in with the surrounding environment giving it a very natural habitat feel. It is quite small, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests, but it so worth the trouble to book accommodation here. The peace and quiet create the perfect atmosphere to commune with nature.[/cz_title]
Akagera Game Lodge
The lodge offers comfortable accommodation with a simple but tastefully furnished rooms, restaurant, swimming pool, curio bar, tennis court and a few other life comforts. Usual board basis is full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is constant power supply, access to WiFi and television for those who cannot live without communication channels.
Safari activities you can enjoy while staying at the lodge include: game drives in the park, guides for the game drive can either be from the park or from the safari company. Animals such as the sitatunga, lion, buffalo, masai giraffe are some of what you will see on the game drive. You an also go birding and enjoy the wide variety of bird life in the park.
Akagera game lodge can be accessed by either road, or air transfer means.
The lodge does not accept debit or credit cards, payment can be made in cash in either RWF, US dollars, Euros or British pounds.
These two lodges are the only accommodation options in this park except for the camping grounds. If you are an outdoorsy person, or more adventurous looking to enjoy the African wilderness fully in all its splendor , then you can opt for the camping sites. Camping can actually be fun with groups of friends, and is much cheaper than staying in the lodge, although of course less comfortable as well.[/cz_title]
Camping Sites in Akagera National Park
This means sleeping in the park with completely nothing between you and the animals but just a thin sheet of super nylon and this is an exciting adventure and it’s so fair to Akagera Park. However, be aware of the roaming gangs of the baboons. These are so cheeky and will also do their best of stealing the food as well as terrorizing you since they are jerks and have got weird bums. Also spending the night around the campfire with friends, beers as well as the open sky which also makes a good break from the city life and is also one of the best overnight or weekend tours that can be done in Rwanda. There are also three campsites with the one in the north at Mutumba and it’s known as the most fantastic camp.
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