Akagera National Park is located in the North East of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. Although founded in 1934, much of the park was re-allocated as farms and in 1997 the park was reduced in size from more than 2,500 sq km (nearly 10% of the surface area of Rwanda) to its current extent of 1,122 sq km. Since 2010, a joint venture with African Parks has seen Akagera return to its former glories. This the stunning National Park where the past has been revived, the only national park where you can enjoy wildlife safaris in Rwanda.

It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a tangle of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera amongst the most scenic of reserves anywhere in Africa. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa.

Akagera combines well with Nyungwe and the Volcanoes NP to offer a great safari element as it is home to many large plains game species as well as species restricted to the papyrus swamps such as the Sitatunga and the sought-after Shoebill Stork. Notable plains game includes; elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope are duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala. Of the primates, olive baboons, vervets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with bush babies often seen on night drives.

Of the larger predators; leopard, hyena, side-striped jackal and lion, which was re-introduced last year are present. Plans are underway for the reintroduction of the black rhino too, and this will restore Akagera’s ‘Big 5’ status.

Due to its wide variety of habitats, Akagera is an important ornithological site with nearly 500 bird species. The rare and elusive shoebill shares the papyrus with other rarities such as the superb papyrus gonolek and countless other water birds that inhabit the wetlands in large numbers.

Akagera National Park is situated in eastern Rwanda covering 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi) along the international border of Rwanda and Tanzania.  Akagera National Park was officially founded in 1934 and includes savannah, montane and swamp habitats. The park got its name from River Kagera which flows through it powering it’s waters in Lake Ihema and other drainage features found in the park. The complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps makes up over a third of the park, which is the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa.

Below are five strong reasons why visiting Akagera National Park should be a must:

1. Akagera National Park has an inspiring conservation story as it is now home to lions and rhinos and the only national park with the big Five animals including Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Buffaloes and Leopards.

2. Akagera National Park is situated just two hours’ drive from Kigali, it is a beautiful and convenient savannah landscape to visit, and an easy site to add on to before or after visiting the gorillas.

3. For one park, the diversity of habitats is unique including lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains and woodland makes for spectacular scenery.

4. Akagera National Park is a birders delight, the park offers an exceptional birding experience with more than 482 bird species documented including the rare and prehistoric shoebill and some Lake Victoria endemics.

5. Tourism is growing with a new day visitor complex and the opening of new affordable accommodation like Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp. The listed accommodations contributes to the development of the area by employing residents,

Things to Do in Rwanda

Game drives, Boat Trips, Fishing and Birding behind the Scenes Fees.

The park management has vehicles available to hire for game drives, that come with their own driver and guide, and a choice of half day or full day drives.

However, it is also possible in Akagera to self-drive your own vehicle round the park. Guides are available to accompany you on your drive. The guides can direct you to areas where wildlife is most abundant and guide you to stunning scenic spots that you may otherwise miss.

There is a two-tier guiding system in the park with 10 park-employed guides and 15 community freelance guides. As a park visitor, and subject to availability, you may choose to take a park-employed guide who has guiding experience ranging from 2 to 12 years in Akagera National Park, and has undertaken training in content, interpretive guiding and first aid in the past 2 years. Or, you can choose one of the Community Freelance Guides, who are enthusiastic, fast learners. They have completed an in-house training and assessment programme. Both guides are devoted to providing a genuine experience and support the success of the park. By choosing a freelance guide you are strengthening the relationship between the park and the local community, by stimulating economic development and allowing communities members living alongside the park to benefit from the tourism growth in Akagera.

Boat Trips and Fishing, Birding, Behind the Scenes Fees.

If you are looking for a variation on the usual safari experience, a boat trip on Lake Ihema will not disappoint. Drift along the forest-fringed lake edge, past huddles of hippo and basking crocodiles. For the serious birder a boat trip is a must. Trips are scheduled 4 times per day at 7.30am, 9am, 3.30pm and 5pm. Non-scheduled, private, trips can also be arranged at other times.

Lake Shakani is the site of spot fishing in the park; spend relaxing day fishing off the lake shore and then cook your catch over an open fire at the campsite.

Birding Behind the Scenes Fees

Birding safaris are popular amongst regular visitors and the immense variety and abundance of species will not fail to impress. From the vast concentrations of water flow to the numerous savanna species, there is never a dull moment, with more than 500 species recorded in Akagera. Serious birders can seek out several endemic species as well as rare gems such as the near threatened papyrus gonolek (Laniariusmufumbiri), which is restricted to papyrus swamps, the localized red-faced barbet (Lybiusbidentatus) and the sought after swamp flycatcher (Muscicapaboehmi).

Behind the Scenes Fees

For more insight into Akagera, including conservation developments within the park, take a ‘Behind-the- Scenes’ tour of the park headquarters and meet some of the people integral to the management of the park. This activity is open to anyone (with minimum numbers applying) but designed for educational groups, or special interest travelers.

Fees

Entry fees for the park are USD $35 per person per day for international visitors and USD $25 per person per day for EAC residents. There is a charge of USD $7.50 per car. Children under the age of 12 are given a discounted price for entry fees and children under the age of 5 are admitted in free and also free of activities fee. Children over the age of 5 are charged the normal rates for activities.

If you would like to do self-drive safaris, there is no need to book in advance. Cars are available for hire, all which includes the vehicle, driver and guide. The costs for the car hire are: US$175 for a Half Day (5 hrs) and US$275 for a Full Day.

Guides are available for hire from the reception and can join visitors on their self-drives. These guides are on a first come, first serve basis. Booking in advance is not necessary, unless it is for special groups such as school trips. Park-employed guides come at a rate of US$25 for a half day and US$40 for a full day. Community freelance guides are US$20 for a half day and US$30 for a full day.

Maps for the self-drives are available at the reception upon arrival for 1,000 Rwf and guidebooks for 2,500 Rwf. An information Center to assist with activities is also available and can advise clients on which routes will be best for them. Tourists are recommended to spend a full day in Akagera to be able to see the best of the park.

Other activity fees:

• Night Game Drive (per person, 2.5 hrs): US$40
• Fishing (per person per day, own equipment): US$20
• Boat Trip (per person, morning or day, 1 hour): US$30
• Boat Trip (per person, sunset, 1 hour): US$40
• Behind the Scenes Tour (per person, 1.5 hours): US$20