Top attractions to see in Akagera National Park : Are you thinking about going to Rwanda for a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park? Here are some of the top attractions you can look forward to during your visit. Akagera National Park is a peaceful place, perfect for a Rwanda safari experience, and it’s the only park in Rwanda where you can see a variety of wildlife. Located in the eastern part of the country, this park offers a chance to spot the Big Five wildlife. While buffaloes and elephants are quite common, you might also see more leopards during nighttime drives, and the populations of lions and black rhinos are on the rise.
You can also look for other animals to film, such as Masai giraffes, Burchell’s zebras, warthogs, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, hippos, impalas, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks, common duikers, elands, topis, Bohor reedbucks, oribis, roan antelopes, klipspringers, and sitatungas. If you choose to go on a night drive, you might spot a spotted hyena, genet, civet, white-tailed mongoose, bush baby, elephant shrew, and various types of owls and nightjars. So, there’s plenty to look out for during your safari adventure!
Akagera National Park was established in 1934 and is a diverse park with savanna, montane, and swamp areas. It’s named after the Kagera River, which flows along its eastern boundary, feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. A significant portion of the park, over a third, is the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa. The park is also home to about 480 different bird species.
Birdlife of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is a fantastic place for birdwatchers, offering a huge range of habitats, from grasslands to low-lying areas. Over 480 different bird species call this park home, making it a true haven for bird lovers. You’ll see lots of grassland and lowland birds, plus some special ones only found in the Albertine Rift. Some of the bird species you may expect to see include Amur falcon, hamerkop, African jacana, blue-shouldered robin-chat, Beaudouin’s snake eagle, African grey hornbill, booted eagle, cardinal woodpecker, browned-chested lapwing, grey crowned crane, Cabanis’s bunting, Carruther’s cisticola, white-faced whistling duck, goliath heron, black-headed weaver, Denham’s bustard, Eleonora’s falcon, blue-cheeked bee-eater, dimorphic egret, white-winged swamp warbler, helmeted guinea fowl, papyrus gonolek, Souza’s shrike, Tabora cisticola, red-winged francolin, crested barbet, grasshopper buzzard, dimorphic egret, stripped pipit, red-faced barbet, and yellow-billed eremomela.
Lake Ihema
Lake Ihema can be found in the southern part of Akagera National Park, and it gets its water from a small river that flows into the Akagera River, which feeds several other lakes in the area. As the largest lake in the park, it clearly stands out. Lake Ihema has three main branches that connect to the Kagera River: the Nyabugogo branch, the Muhanga branch, and the Muhanga River. Stretching about 50 kilometers long and reaching a maximum depth of around 30 meters, the lake is a hub of diverse wildlife. It is home to over 155 different bird species, including the endangered shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, jacanas, sandpipers, the malachite kingfisher, and various herons. Surrounding the lake are extensive papyrus marshes that provide habitat for numerous birds, hippos, buffaloes, and other wildlife. These papyrus areas also serve as important bird refuges, making Lake Ihema a fantastic birdwatching spot. A boat trip on the lake not only offers beautiful views but also a chance to see a wide range of aquatic animals.
The Big Five Gems
Akagera National Park is the only national park in Rwanda that is home to the Big Five African animals. Here you’ll find African elephants, known as the gentle giants, gracefully roaming the savannas and forests. Their impressive size and cleverness symbolize strength and wisdom. Then there are the African buffalo, strong and unpredictable herbivores that command attention in Rwanda’s national parks. The park is also home to the endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros. In 2019, five of these majestic rhinos were translocated from Europe to Akagera National Park, where they are now adapting to their new environment, making their return a special sight to behold.
You can also find African leopards in the park. These elusive cats are expert hunters with spotted coats that help them blend into the Rwandan scenery, making them tricky to spot. Additionally, lions roam the open grasslands of Akagera, and seeing these iconic animals in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience.
Besides the Big Five animals, Akagera is home to a variety of antelope species, including graceful impalas and big herds of topi. Other wildlife you may also spot here includes zebra, waterbuck, eland, duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck, and impala. Primates can also be seen in the park, such as olive baboons, vervets, and the secretive blue monkey, which are seen during the day, with bush babies often seen on night drives. Now, Akagera National Park proudly hosts these incredible creatures. A visit to Rwanda’s national parks lets you observe these animals in their natural surroundings.
Cultural Visits
The management of Akagera National Park collaborates with nearby communities to allow visitors to go for cultural visits. These visits are led by community guides. During these cultural visits, you will also have a cultural experience of the traditions and cultures of the local people. Learn about milking cows and traditions around cattle and milk on a farm in the Eastern Province, or spend time with banana beer and honey artisans to see how local products are made.
