Akagera National Park, situated and perched in the North East province of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary. This feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest being Lake Ihema. The Park with its forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, Savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera amongst the most scenic biodiversity reserve anywhere in Africa.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Just two hours from Kigali Rwanda’s capital city, Akagera National Park covers an area of approximately 1,100 km² encompassing a unique and picturesque park, with rich diversity in wildlife and environments.
Akagera National Park founded in 1934, it is the country’s largest National Park. The park is home to leopard, hyena, jackal and giraffe, large herds of buffalo, impala, zebra and several antelope species. Elephants often congregate around the lakes that are inhabited by more than 800 hippos as well as crocodiles.
On a national scale the Akagera region is an important area for large mammals in the country as the only protected Savannah environment in Rwanda, complimenting the humid forests of Nyungwe National Park in the south of Rwanda and the afro-alpine habitats of Volcanoes National Park in the north. Akagera has an inspiring conservation story, under the public private partnership between conservation non-profit African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board.
Akagera National Park combines well with Nyungwe National Park and the Volcanoes National Park to offer a great safari element as it is home to many large plains game species as well as species restricted to the papyrus swamps such as the Sitatunga and the sought-after Shoebill Stork. Notable plains game include elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, Waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope are Duiker, Oribi, Bohor reedbuck, Klipspringer, Bushbuck and impala. Of the primates, olive baboons, Vervets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with Bushbabies often seen on night drives.
Akagera National Park is a beautiful place to enjoy peace in nature while viewing game animals and beautiful birds. There are probably not as many animals as some other game reserves but it’s still a very beautiful place to visit while in Rwanda
Due to its wide variety of habitats, Akagera is an important ornithological site with nearly 500 bird species. The rare and elusive shoe-bill shares the papyrus with other rarities such as the exquisite papyrus Gonolek and countless other water birds that inhabit the wetlands in large numbers.
Take an amazing time visiting the only wildlife park in Rwanda as you spot lots of animals including big 5. The guides are well trained and experienced so they have a great eye to spot animals. Choose to stay an overnight at Akagera Game Lodge or stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp all inside Akagera National Park. The high end property that recently opened for tourist is the Magashi Camp recently opened up in May 2019. The park is definitely worth a visit.