Wildlife mammals in Akagera National Park currently account for over 8000 large animals, a tremendous increase that has been recorded in the past years despite the many challenges faced in wildlife conservation. Increase in wildlife species in Akagera National Park is attributed to many factors including the new perimeter fence that was completed in 2013 and the re-introduction of lions and rhinos which make Akagera National Park now a complete big five safari destination.
Akagera National Park has a lot to offer including the wildlife mammals, a game drive is the best way to see wildlife mammals in Akagera National Park and such mammals including the big five African game-the African lions, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards and African elephants as well as other species such as over 11 antelopes (defassa water bucks, oribis, elands, reed buck, roan antelope, Topis, sitatunga, impalas and many more), the Masai giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, Burchell’s zebras. Buffaloes at Akagera National Park can be spotted in the northern part of the park as well as elephants.Book Now
Buffalo Herd in Akagera National Park
The Night game drive exposes you to other wildlife mammals of the Park where you will experience the nocturnal mammals in their natural environment. It so pleasant to plunge into this endless verdure as feel the breath of fresh air on your face, smell divine fragrance of flowers as you drive on winding paths all the time listening to the sounds of singing birds and bubbling brooks is a more incredible experience.
You will be escorted by an armed game ranger with spotlights which gives you clear visual for nocturnal animals during your night game drive, animals such include Leopards, hyenas, civets, and bush babies are some of the animals you might see at night in Akagera.
Boat safaris on Lake Ihema is another way to explore wildlife mammal in Akagera National Park. Watching wild animals from the water on a house-boat safari expose you to plenty of nature. This is the best way to see the various wildlife mammals including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and these will gather at the banks in order to drink water. As a result you will have an opportunity to closely observe some birds include; the rare shoebill storks, African fish eagles, crowned cranes and marabou storks and waterbird species. The hosts over 550 bird species to look out in Akagera National Park, 100 of these bird species are not recorded in any other protected area in Rwanda.
Game trails/loops in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park has many game trails/tracks or loops each reward travelers with astonishing sights at a variety of wildlife species while on game viewing safari. They include;
Nyamabuye lookout
Nyamabuye Lookout is that one remarkable area to explore wildlife mammals in Akagera National Park. Nyamabuye Lookout gets visitors not only the best of its breathtaking lake landscape that stretches to cover parts of Tanzania but also an opportunity to look out for zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, impalas, Topis, rhinos and many more.
Rwisirabo loop
Rwisirabo Loop is that one remarkable loop to embark on a game drive safari in Akagera National Park and takes you about 3 hours but this may depend on stopovers you will make. It is perfect for game drives with an opportunity for you to lookout for antelopes such as Topis, oribi as well as giraffes, birds and many others. Birders are also not left out as you can embark on bird watching especially around Lake Birengero with a chance to sight at several storks, pelicans, shoebill stork as well as black chats and long tailed cist cola and many more.
Kitabili loop
Kitabili Loop is one of the most remarkable loops that allow you to explore distinct wildlife species in the northern part of Akagera National Park and also get the best of off-beaten sceneries of the area. While driving in Kitabili Loop, you have a chance to spot out zebras, Oribi, Topis and magical wooded grassland. Note game drives on the northern side of Kitabili are limited because of the remote nature of the area and also limited lodging options. Most accommodation options at Akagera National Park are concentrated around the park main entrance gate regardless of the fact that game drives are better done in the north than the south.
Giraffe area loop
Giraffe area loop is an area with dense woodland that filled with open plains and a road trip along the Giraffe area loop gets you amazing sight at buffaloes, zebras as well as several antelope families. Besides, birders are never left out at Giraffe area as it gets birder astonishing sight at bird species including barbets, meryer’s parrots, acacia associated species.
Bird watching along this area is best done around the dam and seasonal pools. There are many other areas where visitors can spot wildlife mammals in Akagera National Park including Rurama loop and different Peninsulas
Best time to visit Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park can be visited at any time of the year. However, the best time of the year to go for game viewing in Akagera National Park is during the dry season which starts in the month of June, July, August, September and December, January, February. During the dry season, little rainfall is received and vegetation is thinner and most wildlife species confine in specific spots or lakes where water is thus making it the best time for you to view a variety of wildlife species. The wet season is best for bird watching and usually occurs in the months of March, April, May and October, November.
Accommodation choices around Akagera National Park
The best accommodation choices for visitor stay in Akagera National Park range from budget to luxury. They include; Luxury: Magashi Tented Camp/Ruzizi Tented Camp. Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge. Budget: Dereva hotel/camping in Muyumba Campsite, Shakani Campsite or at Mutumba Campsite.
Getting to Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is accessible by road or by air. By road, it is 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city in a good and comfortable 4 wheel drive safari car and by air; you can take helicopter flights to Akagera. The entry gate is in the south and exit gate in the north. Visitors are recommended to traverse Rwanda to enjoy more wildlife including meeting the most loved Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda plus taking part in the famous Rwanda Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forests.