What to do in Akagera National Park
Best Things to Do in Akagera National Park | Rwanda Tours.
What to do in Akagera National Park: Akagera National Park is the largest of Rwanda’s national parks. Before Akagera National Park was officially given the title of a national park in 1934 by the Belgian government, it was a forest reserve. This park also served as a refugee camp for the Rwandese who survived the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, though sheltering these refugees increased poaching of the animals, since they lacked food.
Currently, the park is a habitat to over 500 bird species, 11 antelope species, and several other wildlife species. To get to Akagera National Park, it takes about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. It is positioned in the Eastern part of Rwanda. It is found in the districts of Nyagatare and Kayonza of Rwanda.
Akagera National Park shelters all the big five animals, that is to say, the rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. This park is dominated by montane forests, savannah grasslands, and swamps. This park was named Akagera because it is crossed by the River Kagera. Akagera National Park hosts many visitors who carry out several activities that the park has to offer them. Below are the activities done in Akagera National Park.
Activities in Akagera National Park
- Game drives
Game drives in Akagera National Park are the main activity carried out by visitors who go there. This is done in three phases; that is to say, very early at 6:00 am, in the afternoon at 12:00 pm, and the last one starts at 5:00 pm. This activity takes about 6 hours. These game drives are done after a briefing from the guides in the park on the dos and don’ts while on a game drive. The night game drives are specifically done in the southern part of the park, and these night game drives take about 2 to 3 hours, though the rest of the game drives during the day are done in the northern part of the park.
During the game drive, a visitor can spot a variety of wildlife and birds. Game drives are best done in the dry season, though it is a year-round activity. In the dry season, the trails in the park are dry and enable easy access to different points of the park.
- Birding
The birdwatching is one of the activities done in Akagera National Park, and this activity is done throughout the year. This park is a haven to over 500 bird species, which include the palm nut vulture, woodland kingfisher, crowned log, African darter, crested barbet, white-browed coucal, African rock pigeon, eastern grey plantain-eater, lilac-breasted roller, and many more. The number of bird species it has makes it one of the best spots for birding in Rwanda.
The park experiences two seasons in the year, that is to say, the dry and wet seasons. Each season offers a different kind of experience and different birds that can easily be seen according to the season. From June to September, birds like nightjars, owls, and francolins can be seen. In October, open grassland birds and lapwings can be spotted, while the songbirds are mostly seen from September to November and March to April.
- Boat cruise
Boat cruises are mostly done on Lake Ihema at Akagera National Park. This lake, where boat cruising is carried out, is situated in the southern part of the park. Boat cruises are done in four phases, that is to say, at 7:30 am and 9:00 am in the morning, and at 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. These boat trips take approximately 2 to 3 hours, and during the rides, visitors get the chance to spot various animals and birds along this lake, where they gather to get water.
Guides go along with visitors on the boat cruises, which enables visitors to ask questions that are answered by these guides. There are also brief stopovers that are made during the boat ride to enable visitors to take a closer look at some of the attractions spotted along their journey.
- Hiking and nature walks
Hiking and nature walks are among the activities done by visitors who visit Akagera Park Safaris in Rwanda. It takes visitors approximately 2 to 3 hours while carrying out nature walks. This activity is done with the guidance of a professional guide who escorts visitors to different locations of the park where the activities are carried out. Visitors walk through trails as directed by the guide, but this experience is best during the dry seasons, when the trails in the park are less slippery, enabling visitors to walk comfortably.
The months of the dry season are June to September and December to February. This experience enables visitors to see a variety of animals and birds at close range. Hiking and nature walks are done in specific places in the park following different hiking trails as per the guidance from the guide.
- Sport fishing
In Akagera National Park, sport fishing on a Rwanda safari is among the activities carried out there. This activity is specifically done on Lake Shakani, which is located within the park. This lake is home to several fish species. During spot fishing, fish species like catfish, tilapia, and many more can be caught by tourists participating in the activity. Therefore, Akagera National Park is one of the places in Africa where this activity is done.
- Community tours
Community tours are one of the activities that visitors to Akagera National Park in Rwanda wouldn’t opt to miss. Community tours can be conducted in several places in and around Akagera National Park. Some of these places include the Imigongo art and craft village, heritage sites, and the Humure refugee village.
During these cultural tours, visitors get exposed to different activities carried out by the locals in the communities; that is to say, traditional dances, milking, harvesting, painting, and preparing local meals. Visitors also get the opportunity to talk to the locals one-on-one and get the best quality information from the people in the community themselves. This gives visitors an unforgettable experience and memories with the people in these areas.
