Wildlife Game Drives In Akagera National Park : Akagera national park is the only savannah wildlife park in Rwanda and is the only where game drives can be done.

About Akagera national park

Akagera national park is the largest protected wetland in Central Africa and the last remaining refuge for savannah – adapted species in Rwanda.

Akagera national park is located in Eastern Rwanda along the border of Rwanda with Tanzania, the park was founded in 1934 covering an area of 1,200 square kilometers. The park is named after River Kagera which feeds several Lakes including Lake Gishanju, Lake Ihema, Lake Mihindi, Lake Rwanyakazinga and Lake Shakani which are found within and around the park. The park also comprises of several habitats including savannah grasslands, forests, plains and rolling hills.

Akagera national park is divided into 2 sectors that is the northern and southern sector which both have special animals spotted as you drive along their circuits during game drives. The northern sector of Akagera national park is famously known for hosting the big numbers of the smaller game while the Southern Sector is where the large animals are found and most accommodations are found.

Akagera national park is a home a huge population of wildlife including the Big Five – lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, rhinos and elephants. Wildlife species in Akagera national park are genuinely different and amazing, lions in the park are recorded to be about 40 individuals and the elephants are recorded to be about 80 to 100 individuals.

Other animals in Akagera national park include

  • Zebras
  • Kobs
  • Impalas
  • Bushbacks
  • Waterbucks
  • Oribis
  • Giraffes
  • Topis
  • Warthogs
  • Olive baboons

In addition to animals, you will also spot various bird species including the remarkable shoebill, papyrus Gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons, African Open bill stock, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Long-toed and Water Thick-knee among others.

Game drives in Akagera national park

Game drives in Akagera national park are the best way to explore the big area of savannah grasslands and are done in custom – made safari vehicles that is safari jeeps/ land cruisers which are very comfortable for the Rwanda safari and have pop-up roofs for uninterrupted views of the animals and the magnificent landscape.

Wildlife Game Drives In Akagera National Park
Game Drives in Akagera National park

Game drives provided opportunities of sightings of different animals, birds and beautiful scenery from the comfort of your vehicle.

While on wildlife game drives in Akagera national Park there are ranger guides that assist guests with spotting these astounding wildlife species tracked down in the park while crossing across the tranquil savannah fields of Akagera.

Game drives in Akagera national park are done as morning, afternoon and night game drives and they last for about 3-5 hours. Night game drives start at 05:00 am.

Game drives are majorly done in the northern part of the park because of the terrain there but animals are found all over the park.

Wildlife Game drives in Akagera national park are operated by AMC.

How to Get to Akagera national park

Akagera national park is accessed from Kigali City – the capital of Rwanda either by air or by bus.

By road – from Kigali city it is a drive of approximately 135 kilometers and a drive of about 2-3 hours to Akagera national park, the park is accessed using northern and southern main gates and can be reached using both road and air means of transport.

By air – there chartered flights to Akagera national park offered by the Akagera Aviation.

Where to stay in Akagera national park

Akagera national park has a variety of accommodation facilities ranging from budget, midrange and luxury. The accommodation options include

Inside the park

  • Ruzizi Tented Lodge
  • Akagera Game Lodge
  • Karenge Bush Camp
  • Camping sites

Outside the park

  • Seeds of Hope Guesthouse
  • Cari Hotel
  • Lemigo Hotek
  • Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel
  • Top Tower Hotel
  • Umbano Hotel
  • Grand Legacy Hotel
  • The Manor Hotel among others

Best time to go to Akagera national park for Wildlife Game drives

The best time to visit Akagera national park for wildlife game drives is during the dry season which is between June to September, in this period wildlife is easy to spot as they animals are seen congregating at Kagera river and several lakes in the park which are the remaining water sources, also the vegetation cover is thin which makes spotting of animals easy.

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