Akagera National Park is one savannah national conservation area of Rwanda, it is perfectly situated in the eastern part along the borders with Tanzania and is the largest wetland protected area comprising several lakes, rivers, and marshy swampy areas. The park is named after River Akagera, which flows at its bottom, pouring its waters into Lake Ihema or the lakes it feeds, including Lake Shakani and Lake Mihindi. The conservation area was greatly affected by the effects of the Rwanda genocide, the refugees of the war preoccupied parts of the land, and animals slowly started depleting due to human activity however thanks to the Rwandan government together with the Rwanda Development Board for their continued conservation policies and animal re-introduction of animals the so-called big five of the wilderness can be spotted while here.
Tourist activities in the Akagera National Park include Game drives, this is a major highlight of a visit to the protected area, drives are done through the well-developed game routes, and the sessions are done in the morning, afternoon, and evening with the lead of an experienced guide, Game drives are done using open roof safari cars to enable visitors have a great view of animal species contained in the national park, popular sites include zebras, waterbucks, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, roan antelopes, Topi, bush bucks, klipspringer among other species. The park is one of the few places where night game drives can be done this offers an opportunity to view nocturnal species more so the cat family of hyenas, civet cats, lions and hippos.
A boat cruise in Akagera National Park is not to miss this is done along the beautiful Lake Ihema within the conservation area, the cruise is conducted using motorized boats and is done in sessions, in the morning, afternoon and evening times to enjoy sundowners. The cruises take places for 2-3 hours sailing the beautiful waters of the lake expect to see water animals like hippos, crocodiles, there are private boats that can be arranged while in the park for visitors who may want to be alone while doing the boat safari experience.
Birding in Akagera National Park, the conservation area is a haven of birds there are over 450 species of birds that have been recorded to date visitors intending to do birding in the national park will have an incredible time while here, popular sights include shoe bill stock along the marshy swampy areas, marabou stocks, egrets, pelicans, Abyssinian ground hornbills, swamp flycatcher, red-faced barbets, egrets, crowned cranes to mention a few.
Hiking and guided nature walks are conducted with the assistance of an experienced guide, they are knowledgeable about the park and will introduce you to the many plant species, birds and animals of the conservation area, these walks can be combined with community experiences this will give visitors a chance to interact and learn more about the Rwandan culture on your Rwanda safari.
Akagera National Park can be visited any time but best during the dry season between December-February and June-September, the trails are much drier with short grasses which are excellent for viewing wildlife species. Getting to the national park can be by road from Kigali International Airport it takes approximately +/-3 hours to arrive, and flights can be arranged through Akagera Aviation.