Akagera National park is located in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania near kibungu town also the starting point of the park. It covers an area of 2500 square kilometers and was named after river Kagera which flows through the area where the park was gazette feeding lake Ihema and other several lakes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Akagera National park was established in 1934 by the Belgian government that lived in Rwanda. The park was well known for its biodiversity and large population of wild dogs which were later killed by the epidemic diseases.
In 1957, the black rhinos were introduced from Tanzania and by 1970s the population of black rhinos had increased to 50 grazing in the savannah of the park. However the population started decreasing as a result of poaching. In 1986 the giraffes were also introduced from Kenya and over years the population increased to 80 individual and over 300 lions. Later the Rwanda civil war broke out and the farmers came to settle in the park after the war and killed all the animals.
In 2009, the Rwanda Development board together with the African parks Network made a 20 year agreement for the joint management of Akagera National park. The aim was to increase the security of the park, introduce more species of wildlife, training the anti-poaching unit and agree on others measure to conserve wild life.
Akagera National park received donation of lions, rhinos and many others from different countries and the park was home to all African big five including lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffaloes and the large mammal population has increased to big numbers.
Akagera National park is characterized of swamps, woodlands, grasslands, savannah, and lakes which shelters wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, Zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, over 12 antelope species, hippos, crocodiles among others and over 500 bird species like the grand fish eagle, papyrus gonolek, shoebill stork and so on.
How to get to Akagera National park
Akagera National park can be accessed by road transport means, it is situated in eastern Rwanda 120kms approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Kigali city.
Wildlife in Akagera National park
The wildlife found in Akagera National park include; lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, hyenas, giraffes, bush pigs, zebras, warthogs, antelopes like elands, kobs, topis, defassa water buck, Reedbuck, oribi, common duiker and semi aquatic sitatunga antelopes.
There are also some other primate species like olive baboon, velvet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black tailed mangoose, wide eyed bush babies and so on.
Tourist activities in Akagera National park
Game drives
Game drives in Akagera National park are so breathe taking and adventurous where you are able to watch different kinds of wild animals including lions, elephants, leopards, antelopes, topis, common duiker among others in the savannah grasslands. The game drives are always guided by the well informed guides who locate the best spots for viewing the wild animals and have more knowledge of the park.
Boat trips
Boat trips in Akagera National park are carried out on Lake Ihema. Lake Ihema has the most concentrated number of crocodiles, hippotamus, elephants that come along to drink water and bathe. Birds are also seen on the lake shores while on a boat trip.
Fishing
Fishing in Akagera National park is done along the shores of Lake shakani. You can go fishing on tilapia, cat fish on your visit to Akagera National park where you get chances to see the hippos and crocodiles in water. After fishing you can cook the fish and eat it to enjoy the whole wildness experience.
Nocturnal game drives
Akagera National park is of the few National parks where night game drives are done since most of the predators come out at night to look for food. Leopards, bush babies, hyenas are some of the animals you can watch on the spotlights in Akagera National park. You may also see nocturnal birds.
Guided Nature walks
With the help of a guide, you can take nature walks through the park by following the different trails. Get to learn more about the park and the scenic views of the neighboring areas.
Bird watching.
Akagera National park with over 520 bird species, makes the best destination for bird watching. The birds in the park include shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek among others.
Accommodations in Akagera National park.
Good accommodation is that make the safari enjoyable and memorable, on your safari to Akagera National park you can stay in the above accommodations;
Akagera game lodge, Rusizi tented camp, Akagera rhino lodge among others.