Akagera National Park Weather
Akagera National Park weather is one of the factors that travellers do consider when planning for their Rwanda wildlife safaris in the park. Akagera National Park is the best savannah park in Rwanda, which travellers can visit for thrilling wildlife safaris. It is only in Akagera National Park of all Rwanda national parks that you shall have an opportunity to encounter the Africa big five which include elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and rhinos, among so many other wildlife in Akagera National Park. For amazing wildlife safaris in Rwanda therefore, Akagera National Park is your go-to Rwanda national park.
Akagera National Park is also the largest Rwanda national park, covering about1122 square kilometres of space, and inhabiting a variety of wildlife of wildlife. Established in 1934 to protect the wildlife in the park, Akagera National Par to date has about 95 mammal species as well as over 400 bird species, which travellers can encounter on various activities in Akagera National Park. Different activities in Akagera National Park call for different times to best visit the park to take part in the said activities. With the wildlife in Akagera National Park and colourful birdlife in Akagera National Park, activities like game drives, nocturnal game drives, bird watching, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, nature walks call a number of tourists to visit Rwanda and take part in them. Knowing Akagera National Park weather, so as to prepare adequately, is therefore very important.
Akagera National Park experiences two types of weather all throughout the year, the wet and sunny weather of the wet and dry seasons of the year. To many, and by far, the dry season is the best time to visit Akagera National Park especially for travellers after game viewing experiences in the park. During the dry season, the grass is much shorter, thereby making it easy to spot the wildlife in Akagera National park, and also the roads and paths in the park are much easy to traverse unlike when they are slippery and muddy after a rainy day. The dry season is also the best time for wildlife safaris especially game drives in Akagera National Park because the animals in the park converge in the few available water sources for a drink given that most other are dried up, thereby giving travellers an opportunity to spot a larger number of wildlife at once.
During the dry season, Akagera National Park can be quite hot and dry, with the park experiencing very warm temperatures, with temperatures ranging between 200C and 300C. The dry season is usually experienced in the months of June to September, as well as December through January.
Because of the hot temperatures, and sunny days therefore, travellers are encouraged to carry light cloths if travelling then, as well as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and constantly keep rehydrated.
The wet season, or rainy weather of Akagera National Park is experienced in two phases, in the months of March to May which are the long rainy months which has the park receiving high amounts of rainfall, as well as the months of October to November which have the park experiencing shorter rains. During this time, navigating the park maybe a bit hard given the roads and paths are slippery and muddy, and game viewing may be hard given that the grass is quite over grown. To some travellers however, this wet season is considered the best time to visit Akagera National Park for the challenge that the weather conditions pose, as well as the discounted rates of accommodation in Akagera National Park. Also, the wet season is the best time for birding safaris in Akagera National Park for it is during this time that birds are nesting and a number of migratory birds arrive in the park, thereby increasing on the variety of bird species that travellers can spot while on a bird watching safari in Akagera National Park.
For travellers who would wish to visit Rwanda to explore Akagera National Park during the wet season, use of a 4WD safari vehicle to fully navigate the park roads and paths, as well as waterproof jackets, waterproof good hiking shoes for the birders and nature walk lovers, should not be forgotten. Also remember to carry a waterproof backpack to safe keep your important gadgets and documents, as well as warm clothing for when the temperatures drop, especially in the night.
Though there are known seasons and Akagera National Park weather patterns, travellers should also know that they can change at any time; it can rain any time of the day even during the dry season. It is therefore safe to say that the best time to visit Akagera National Park is when you, the traveller, is available; the weather patterns shouldn’t necessarily dictate your travel patterns given that they can even change at any time. Get in touch with a knowledgeable tour operator to plan for you the best Rwanda safari tour to visit Akagera National Park, irrespective of the prevailing Akagera National Park weather.
