Akagera National Park straddles over 1,200 square kilometres and is located in North Eastern Rwanda on the borders with Uganda and Tanzania. Akagera park was established in 1934 with the view of protecting wildlife and game plus the savanna, swamps and mountains within the park. . Akagera National Park derives its name from the Akagera River which flows along the eastern borders of the park and ends up into a number of Lakes the biggest being Lake Ihema.
The various, swamps and lakes that seamlessly interlink together make up over 30% of the Akagera National Park which would explain why the part is one of the biggest conserved wetland in Africa.
Much of the habitable area of Akagera park was allocated shortly after 1994 to returning victims of the Rwanda genocide due to shortage of land and instead the western part of the park was gazetted. As a consequence Akagera park's size was reduced in size to 1200 square kilometres down from the original 2,500 square kms. The remaining part of the park is still some of the most beautiful, varied and savannah rich landscape in Rwanda and Eastern Africa.
In 2009 the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which oversees all tourism related activities in Rwanda plus the management of national park entered into a joint management arrangement with African Parks for a 20 year extendable agreement for the management of Akagera National Park. Under the arrangement the park management company has since set up Ruzizi Tented Lodge within the park and is slated to take over management of the Akagera Game Lodge. Additional investment into Akagera Park will also see the construction of a 120 km western boundary fence and the re-introduction of lion and black rhino into Akagera Park thus enhancing Akagera as a wildlife and game rich reserve.
Akagera Park has extremely beautiful mountains and rolling hills reaching fairly high altitudes and culminating into the Mutumba Hills which offer breathtaking views of the archipelago of lakes, rivers and swamps. If you visit Akagera be sure to see plenty of game, after all Akagera is African big game country. To be seen here in quite large numbers are buffalo, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, lions, zebra, antelopes, impalas, oribis, bush-bucks, and the world's largest antelopes. When you take a boat ride on Lake Ihema you will be snapping away at the herds of game, as they congregate on the banks of the lake to drink. To manage expectations, visitors should not expect game numbers similar to other famous safari destinations, like Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda, Murchison Falls Park in Uganda, Masai Mara in Kenya or the ultimate safari destination The Serengeti. Previous political conflicts in Rwanda reduced the animal numbers here, but they are steadily picking up with concerted conservation efforts by the Rwanda development Board. You will however have enriching game rich game drives when you choose to visit the park.
A census in August 2013 revealed a count of 11 game species including elephant, buffalo, eland, hippopotamus, giraffe, roan, warthog, zebra, waterbuck, impala and topi in Akagera. The census confirmed the presence of 2 093 buffalo, 1 057 impala, 999 zebra, 948 waterbuck and 885 hippo.
For avid birders, Akagera presents massive birding opportunities. After Nyungwe Forest, Akagera should be the 2nd birder's destination of choice in Rwanda. There is plenty of fish eagles here, plus the highest concentration of water loving birds including the papyrus gonolek, the rare shoebill, the stunning lilac-breasted roller, the robin-chat, the grey hornbill, the turaco, e sought after swamp flycatcher, the crested barbet and much much more!!! There is a high populations of waterfowl here plus a dense concentration of savanna species. With more than 500 birds species recorded in Akagera National Park ,die-hard birders can seek out numerous endemic species which are restricted to papyrus swamps typical of ones in Akagera.
Carry a large size memory card, there will be plenty of photo-shooting opportunities of birds in Akagera National Park.
Akagera visitor highlights.
- Game drives in Akagera National Park
- Birding
- Natural walks in Akagera
- Boat ride on Lake Ihema
- Visit local projects.
How to get to Akagera from Kigali.
Akagera is a comfortable 110 kms and about 2.5hrs of leisure driving on very good tar roads. Akagera can be visited on a day trip, but to make the most of what Akagera has to offer we recommend that you spend a night or two, staying at either Ruzizi Tented Lodge or Akagera Game Lodge. You may wish to consider booking our 2 days all inclusive Akagera vacation package or to hire from us a self drive 4x4 or simply hire a 4x4 with our of our professional English speaking driver guides.
Akagera Activities Prices.
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- Camping {per person per night}
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20
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- Guide {per half day}
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15
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- Day Boat trip {per person per hour}
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30
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- Evening Boat trip {per person per hour}
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40
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- Night drive {per person}
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40
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- Fishing {per person per day}
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20
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- Behind-the-Scenes {per person}
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20
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To make an accommodation booking at Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge or 4x4 private car hire(self drive or with driver) and for any further enquiries, please contact us;
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Watsapp +256.772.788.426
