Safari guide to Akagera National Park
Safari guide to Akagera National Park gives you the Park’s vast wild spaces, your urban existence melts away when you compare your shoes with the giant footprints of elephants. As you silently witness big cats seeking refuge in the scant shade of an umbrella-thorn tree and watch campfire smoke spiral into the Milky Way, you drift off to the sounds of nature hoping this would never end.
Moments like these are the kind that has a way of changing the way you see the world and your place in it. And, they’re the ones that will bring you back to Akagera National Park again and again. If you’re looking for a quintessential safari experience, this is it! Rwanda’s Akagera National Park is one of the best wildlife reserves in Africa, home to over 46 species of mammals and over 550 recorded species of birds. This article showcases the safari guide to Akagera National Park. Book Now
Unsurpassed activities in Akagera National Park
Aside from the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, there are also a number of exciting things to do here from visiting community culture, walk the line, behind the scene, boat trips to romantic helicopter tour rides, and even bird watching and fishing.
Lavish Safari Lodges in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is not only a wildlife viewing spot but also a destination with lavish safari lodges that can make your wildest dreams come true and these include the opulent Magashi Camp, Rusizi Tented Lodge, and Akagera Game Lodge, all are perfect relaxation spots in the middle of the wilderness. These accommodation facilities make you forget about the outside world.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
It is a perfect place to see the savannah wildlife species especially big five animals (lions, leopards, Rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes), Rothschild giraffes, zebras, Defassa Waterbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, Kobs, Topis, bushbucks, olive baboons, warthogs, common elands, Rhinos, and Nile crocodiles among others.
Birdlife in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is not only home to the big five African games but also a major habitat to over 550 unique bird species. The park is a true birder’s paradise and for any plans to visit Rwanda, count it a must-visit and you won’t be left with regrets. Birds in Akagera National Park resides in and around Lakes, savannas, and woodlands.
Plants of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park comprises diverse plant species that harbor a variety of wildlife, birds, and other ecosystems. The common plants include papyrus, acacia hockii, gum acacia, acacia gerrardii, acacia brevispica, acacia polyacantha, Albizia amara, paperbark thorn, Albizia petersiana, Dichrostachys cinerea, common currant-rhus, Searsia natalensis, to mention but a few.
Lakes in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is dominated by stunning lakes each with diverse water birds and other aquatic life. They include Lake Ihema-a home to hippos, crocodiles, water birds (it is the perfect place for boat cruise tours), Lake Shakani, Lake Gishanju, Lake Mihindi, Lake Rwanyakazinga, Lake Hago, and others.
Accessibility of the Park
To explore Akagera National Park, you don’t need to maneuver with a 4WD vehicle deep into the bush. The Park can be reached in approximately two and a half hours from Kigali with en-route sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site. There are also Helicopter flights to the Park the Kigali International Airport and even after accessing the Park by road, there is a network of well-maintained game tracks that allow you to spot the different wildlife species.
Safety of the Park
Akagera National Park is one of the safest National Parks in Africa and to maintain the safety of visitors, security checkpoints exist at the different Park entrances. This is done to check for weapons and also, most activities in the Park are done in the company of armed ranger guides.
Gates of the Park
Akagera National Park has two gates namely the north and south gates. The north gate is an existing gate to Akagera National Park which sits in the north of the park approximately 110kms away from Kigali capital city. South Gate is an entry gate to Akagera National Park found in the south of the park where booking safari activities are mostly done.
Park rules and regulations
Akagera National Park rules are basic guidelines that every traveler should observe while on safari. These guidelines are basically safety measures that are aimed at enabling you to have the most enjoyable safari holiday in Akagera National Park.
The guide to Akagera National Park, sets safety measures/rules to observe while on safari in Akagera National Park include;
-Visitors should keep inside their safari vehicle or car while on a game drive/safari inside Akagera National Park. Visitors should only leave their safari vehicles upon arrival at the hotel/safari lodge or designated picnic site. Avoid unnecessary movements from your lodge and keep within your accommodation area.
-Akagera National Park is open to tourists from 6:00 am-6:00 pm day time. You are advised to leave the park by 6:00 pm.
-Do not drive off road-try to keep to the designated paths. This won’t only save the vegetation but also safeguards you from getting lost.
-Speed limit within Akagera National Park is restricted to only 40 km per hour. Do not over speed as wildlife can run and want to cross the road. Besides, during the wet or rainy season, the wildlife tracks can be muddy or slippery that is why we advise you to drive within the set speed limit
-Never litter the park. Leave the park the way you found it and throw any rubbish in the designated areas.
-Tourists should not feed wildlife animals at the lodge and even while on safari
-Failure to exit the park by 6:30 pm, Akagera National Park management will send rescue operation
-The lost party will incur all the costs of rescue search that is-vehicles or helicopters and many others.
-Vehicles entering Akagera National Park must be approved by park management
-Do not pick any plants from the park-whether it is attractive flowers or rocks.
-Make payments at Akagera National Park offices
-In case of any failure to observe the set rules, you will be penalized-incur a cost of $150
In summary, Akagera National Park is a remarkable safari destination that is worth exploring while on the Rwanda holiday. With the above-set rules and regulations, we believe you will have a wonderful safari holiday in Akagera National Park.
