Facts about Akagera National Park

Facts about Akagera National Park look at the various things one should know about Akagera National Park of Rwanda. Akagera National Park is found at the border of Rwanda and Tanzania, in the north eastern part of the country.

Akagera National Park was first established in 1939 by the Belgian colonial government, solely to protect and conserve the various wildlife species in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park got its name from the famous Akagera River, which flows through the park up until in Uganda where it continues its journey. Akagera National Park has over 10 lakes in its enclosure say Lake Ihema, which feed the various wildlife species in the park.

Akagera National Park is the largest or biggest Rwanda national park, with a total area of 1122 square kilometres.
Akagera National Park is home to over 482 bird species, making it one of the best birding destinations in Rwanda and the entire East African region.
Formerly, Akagera National Park was once known for hosting the largest number of wild dogs in the region, that it was even known as the Park of Lycanos. Many of the wild dogs however perished when they were hit by an epidemic, with last large numbers having been spotted in 1984.

Attractions in Akagera National Park

Wildlife in Akagera National Park

The abundant wildlife in Akagera National Park is one of the many reasons that has many travellers visiting Akagera National Park to take part in various activities in the park. Some of the common wildlife sightings in Akagera National Park include bush bucks, impala, duiker, dohor, waterbucks, elands, side stripped jackal, mongoose, primates like olive baboons, as well as the big five which include elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffaloes, among so many other wildlife in Akagera National Park.

waterbucks in Akagera National Park — Facts about Akagera National Park

Birds

Birds in Akagera National Park measure up to over 500 bird species, with about 100 bird species being endemic to the national park. Some of the bird species in Akagera National Park that travellers may encounter while on various activities in Akagera National Park include cattle egret, hadada ibis, long crested eagle, black weaver, Hamerkop, fish eagle, swamp flycatcher, red-faced barbet, among so many others.

Lakes in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is home to a number of lakes, all of which are an attraction and add beauty to the park, asides inhabiting a variety of wildlife and bird species. Lake Ihema, Lake Mihindi, Lake Shakani, among others are some of the lakes in Akagera National Park that travellers may get to spend time in. lake Ihema is the second largest lake in Rwanda, and is the most commonly visited in the park for various activities like boat safaris.

Activities in Akagera National Park

There are a number of activities in Akagera National Park that travellers can do, and they include game drives, night game drives, nature walks to explore the park, birding safaris, boat trips, sport fishing and picnics can also be arranged in some very scenic areas of the park.

birding safaris in akagera national park — Birding Safaris in Akagera National Park

Best time to visit Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park can be visited all throughout the year, but the best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry season which also doubles as the peak tourism season. The dry season has the grass short enough to allow proper game viewing and photography of the wildlife in the park, and the roads and paths in the park can be easily used.

How to get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park can be reached by both road and air. By road, Akagera National Park is about 135km from Kigali International Airport, about 2 hours and 30 minutes of road drive. Given the nature of roads in some areas, especially in the park use of 4WD vehicles is highly advised. By air, Akagera National Park can be accessed by domestic flights, especially by use of helicopters.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park

There are a number of accommodation in Akagera National Park which travellers can book to stay in while in the par. The accommodation is both inside and outside the park, and can cater for all kinds of travellers ranging from luxury to budget. Some of the accommodation in Akagera National Park that travellers can choose from include Magashi Camp, Mutumba Akagera Campsite, Shakani Akagera Campsite, Ruzizi Tented Camp, among others.

Akagera National Park is an amazing Rwanda national park that travellers can visit for amazing Rwanda wildlife safaris. Combining Akagera National Park with Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking safaris is a great idea. Get to visit Rwanda and enjoy Akagera National Park, as well as realise or get to know the various facts about Akagera National Park for yourself while in the park.