Akagera National Park Rwanda is the spot for Rwanda Safari tours majorly Rwanda Wildlife safaris and it is Rwanda`s largest park-1,085km2. Under take Akagera Park Safari in Rwanda and enjoy Akagera River cruises with mazing views of Congo and Tanzania as well. The Park is located to the Rwanda’s north east stretching over a geographical landscape of 1,085km² making it the Rwanda’s largest protected area.

The Akagera National Park shares the western border of the Republic of Tanzania is named after the Akagera River which runs through it. The Park was established in the year 1934 providing protection to a range of three (3) ecosystems including Savannah, Swamp and Mountain.

The park features the largest protected wetland system in the whole of central Africa with a series of lakes namely; Ihema – Rwanda’s second largest after Kivu, Shakani, Rwanyakizinga, Mihindi and Gishanju. Besides the water environment, Akagera National Park, unlike other parts of Rwanda, has low lying extensive plains covered with beautiful savannah suitable for wild game grazing.

Among the wild game in Akegera National Park include; buffaloes, elephants, zebra, lions, Maasai giraffe and myriad of antelope species

Attractions in Akagera National Park

Wildlife as a Rwanda Safari attraction in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park apparently stands as the only protected savannah habitat in the whole of Rwanda thus providing a refigium for a myriad of savanna dwelling game along with the aquatics which thrive in the water bodies within the park boundaries. The park features count of lions, elephants, Buffaloes, leopard, genets, side stripped jackal, mongoose, the Silver monkeys, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys and bush babis along with serval cats. The water environs support counts of Nile crocodiles and Hippos.

Water bodies as a Rwanda Safari attraction in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park shelters the extensive wetland system in the whole of Central Africa with one of sources of the Nile River – River Akagera from which the park is named, a range of lakes including Lake Shakani, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Ihema, Lake Gishanju and Lake Mihindi. These water bodies also have aquatic animals including Hippos and Nile crocodiles, birds and the fish.

Birds as a Rwanda Safari attraction in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park features 525 species of birds making it one of the great birding destinations for birders in birding safaris in Rwanda. The diverse environments of Akagera National Park which include both wetland and savannah present a rich habitat for a range of birds among which include shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, papyrus canary, white-winged warbler and Caruthers’s cisticola, Sousa’s shrike, Bennett’s woodpecker, red faced barbet, long tailed cisticola, white winged and broad tailed warblers, white collared olive back and miombo wren warblers.

Tourist activities in Akagera National Park

Boat trips as a Rwanda Safari Activity in Akagera National Park

The range of water bodies in Akagera National Park can better be explored by boat. The boat recreational activity is conducted at Lake Ihema and it is ideally done in the afternoon. Lake Ihema is the second largest in Rwanda after Lake Kivu and the boat encounter presents an opportunity to explore Hippos, Nile crocodiles along with birds.

Fishing as a Rwanda Safari Activity in Akagera National Park

Located to the south of the Park, Lake Shakani is the only lake that offer sport fishing activity in Akagera National Park. It presents a magical sport fishing experience in the wilderness of Akagera.

Game drives as a Rwanda Safari Activity in Akagera National Park

The Akagera National Park feature numerous wild game including buffaloes, elephants, zebra, giraffe, water buck, Impala, genets, side stripped jackal, mongoose, serval cats, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, bush babies and rarely spotted silver monkey. The game drive can be done in the morning and in the afternoon presenting an opportunity to explore these wild animals. The drive through the extensive savannah landscapes intercepted by rolling hills and the series of water body system also generate impressive scenic encounters.

Helicopter Adventures as a Rwanda Safari Activity in Akagera National Park

The Helicopter Adventures present Arial experiences of Akagera National Park. The amazing sceneries are perfectly explored in Air where uninterrupted views of the savannah, hills and the wetland system marked by series of lakes and rivers would combine to generate ultimate Rwanda Safari experience.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a top notch Luxury Accommodation positioned on the shores of Lake Ihema. Ruzizi Tented Camp commenced operations in October 2012 and it offers accommodation to a maximum of 14 people sharing 7 luxury tents.

Facilities at Ruzizi Tented Lodge

• En suite tents
• Hot & Cold running water
• Dressing area in the rooms
• Lounge
• Bar
• Dining
• Fire place under the fig tree
• Solar Powered Electricity

Akagera Game Lodge

Akagera Game Lodge is a midrange accommodation facility with the views of Lake Ihema. Accommodation at Akagera Game Lodge is presented in 58 rooms with two (2) executive suites

Facilities at Akagera Game Lodge

• Satellite Television in rooms
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Tennis court
• Conference room
• Business center.

Camp sites in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park features a range of camp sites that offers cheaper and yet close to nature accommodation to the Rwanda Safari enthusiasts including;

Shakani campsite.

This is located on Lake Shakani shores and offers possibities of exploring the birds and Hippos close to the camp

Mutamba campsite.

This is positioned at a raised elevation of Mutamba hills which is also the highest in the park. This place is a common ground for eland herds and roan antelope.

Muyumba campsite.

This is located in a ridge overlooking Ihema Lakes Ihama and Shakani and the plain of Tanzania. This is the closest camp to the park entry at Kayonza.

Facilities at Campsites

• Washrooms
• Pit latrines with no running water.
• Carry own water
• Fire wood is provided.
• Tents for hire are available at the reception

MAP SHOWING THE OFFICIAL LOCATION OF AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK RWANDA