History of Akagera National Park.
Prior to it being gazetted as a national park, Akagera was a forest reserve with a rich biodiversity in flora and fauna species. Later in 1934, Akagera was given the status of a national park by the Belgian government. This was done in an effort to protect the remaining species of wildlife animals that were under threat in the national park.
Akagera National Park in Rwanda is one of the oldest national parks on the African continent and the biggest in Rwanda. Previously the national park originally covered 2,500 square kilometers.
The national park sheltered a large population of wildlife animals such as; elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinoceros, leopards, lycanos, antelopes, hippos, topi and so many more.
The national park had so many Lycanos (wild dogs) that it was named the ‘Park of Lycanos.’
However, a large majority of these wild dogs were killed by an epidemic that spread in the national park, with the last of the species reported to have been seen in 1984.
After the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, most Rwandan refugees returned back home, with a great majority settling in Akagera National Park. As a result, most of the park’s forests were cleared to get land for farming and grazing animals. A large number of animals in the park were hunted down and killed as an alternative source of food for the large masses.
As a result of the continuous poaching of wildlife animals in the park and deforestation, over 25% of Akagera national park was destroyed. Some wildlife species became extinct in the park such as rhinoceros and lions. The last rhino in the park was reported to have been seen in 2007, and lions were last seen in the park around the same time. Originally, Akagera national park was home to over 300 lions and had more than 50 black rhinos.
In 2009, a joint management agreement was signed between an NGO called African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board, in order to manage Akagera National Park. later in 2010, the Akagera Management Company was formed, which oversees the smooth running of the national park.
Among the successes of the Akagera Management Company (AMC), was the introduction of
seven lions to the park in 2015. The lions were translocated from South Africa to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. The reintroduction of these lions in Akagera came after a 15 year absence of the species in the national park.
Later in May 2017, Akagera national park received 18 black eastern rhinoceros from South Africa; thus seeing the reintroduction of rhinos in the park after their 10 year absence. The number of the rhinos in the park increased following the birth of a calf a few years later.
In June 2019, five more black rhinos were translocated from a zoo in the Czech Republic to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. This marked the longest translocation of rhinos from Europe to the continent of Africa, covering a distance of 2,485 miles. This initiative has increased the number of rhinos in the national park, and tourists visiting the national park have higher chances of seeing rhinos while on a game drive in the national park.
Other improvements have been made in the national park and these include; the acquisition of a helicopter for aerial surveillance in the park, the introduction of an anti-poaching canine unite and the employment of more park rangers to beef up security in the park.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Rwanda where travelers can do the best wildlife safari tours in Rwanda. The park located in the Eastern part of Rwanda is blessed with amazing wildlife species like lions, giraffes, zebras, and hippos. The fact that the fascinating Lake Ihema is located within this national park has given it the possibility to do wildlife activities like Boat Cruises. Other major activities done in Akagera National Park include wildlife Game Drives, bird watching, and community tours.
The park has also reported an increase in the number of visitors it has received, with 44,000 tourist visits recorded in 2018 alone. The national park also earned about USD 2 million dollars as tourism revenue in the same year, making Akagera National Park a 75% self- financing national
park.
Tourists visiting Akagera National Park can be certain that there are quite a number of interesting attractions for you to see in the national park,
and these include; Wildlife: Akagera National Park has recorded 8,000 large animals living within the park and some of these animals include; the Cape
Buffalo, African Bush Elephant, Black Eastern Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, Rothschild Giraffes, Hippopotami, Bruchell’s Zebras, antelopes,
waterbucks, impala and so many more.
Primates: Visitors in the national park also have a chance to see primates such as; vervet monkeys, the black and white colobus monkeys,
olive baboons, silver monkeys and blue monkeys.
Bird Species: Akagera National Park is home to over 500 species of birds, hence making the park a birder’s haven. Among some of the birds that tourists can see in the park are; the Suaza Shrike, Raptors, the rare Shoebill stork and the great sniper bird among others.
Lakes: There are 10 lakes located within Akagera national park and these can be explored by visitors in the park. Some of the most commonly visited lakes in the park include Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani.
Activities in Akagera National Park.
Tourists visiting Akagera National Park in Rwanda can take part in a number of activities from game drives to boat cruises, guided nature walks,
camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching to mention but a few.
Game Drives in Akagera National Park.
Game drives in Akagera national park are the ideal way for visitors to explore this beautiful, rich and vast national park. The national park offers
its visitors both day and night game drives, with morning game drives starting as early as 6am and night game drives commence at 6pm in the
evening.
Among some of the wildlife animals that visitors can see during a game drive include; Sitatunga, Jackals, Hyenas, elephants, giraffes, antelope,
kobs, impala and so many more. Night game drives in Akagera national park, offer tourists better chances to see nocturnal animals such as;
jackals, leopards, lions, serval cats and civets.
Game drives in Akagera National Park in Rwanda last between 1-3 hours. Visitors are advised to have a park guide accompany you during a game drive, as this makes it easier for you to locate specific wildlife animals in the park that you would like to see.
Boat Trips in Akagera National Park.
Launch Trips or rather Boat trips/cruises in Akagera National Park, give visitors the chance to explore the beautiful crystal lakes within the national park. Most boat cruises in Akagera are carried out on Lake Ihema where you will get to see lots of hippos and crocodiles. Boat trips in the park are scheduled four times a day at exactly 7:30am, 9am, 3pm and 4:30pm. However, there are
also unscheduled boat trips available in the park for visitors who wish to take private tours.
Bird Watching In Akagera National Park.
There are over 500 bird species that inhabit Akagera national park and some of the birds that
visitors are likely to see while on a birding expedition in the park include; the rare and highly
sought after Shoebill Stork, Swamp Fly Catchers, white egrets, the marabou Stork, the Yellow
Sunbird, the grey crowned crested cranes and herons to mention but a few. Birding trips in Akagera national park.
Fishing in Akagera national park.
Fishing in Akagera national park is done on Lake Shakani, and common fish species such as Tilapia and Cat fish can be caught in the lake. The park also organizes fishing tournaments on this lake, however visitors interested in taking part in these fishing competitions will have to contact Gone Wild Safaris.
Hiking and Guided Nature Walks.
Visitors in Akagera can embark on hiking adventures and guided nature walks in the national park. Hiking and natures walks in the park give visitors an opportunity to view a variety of flora and fauna species including plant, tree, insect, butterfly and bird species.
Community Tours in Akagera National Park.
Community tours in Akagera National Park present visitors with the opportunity to mingle with
the local people living in the communities near the national park. During the community tours, visitors are introduced to the Rwandan culture through dance performances, folk songs and
stories as well as traditional arts and crafts. Visitors also get to visit local farms and get to learn how to milk cows and make local ghee. Going on a community tour will also give you, the visitor an opportunity to learn how to cook tradition Rwandan dishes, make local banana beer and harvest honey from bee farms.
Other activities visitors in Akagera can engage in include; behind the scenes, camping and ‘walk the line’ hiking tour.
Animals Found In Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park is the only haven for savannah wildlife animals in the Republic of Rwanda. The national park has recorded over 8,000
large animals; with over 100 African bush elephants, more than 80 Rothschild giraffes, over 15 lions, and about 25 black eastern rhinos. There are plenty of wildlife animals living with the national park and these include; roan antelopes, bushbucks, bohor reedbucks, oribis, Klipspringer, cape eland, bush babies, impalas, topi, hartebeests, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, buffaloes, crocodiles, duikers and so many more.
The park also shelters over 500 species of birds, and these include; the Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons, Giant Kingfisher, the Grey Crowned
Crane, the African Darter, Long-toed and Water Thick Knee birds, the rare Shoebill Stork, Papyrus Gonolek, the Hamerkop, Cattle Egret, and
Fan-tailed Widow bird among others.
Akagera national park is found in the north eastern region of Rwanda, this park is situated
along the international border of Rwanda and Tanzania stretching over an area of 1,122
square kilometers. Akagera national park derives its name from Akagera river which flows
along the eastern boundary feeding numerous lakes situated in the park like Lake Ihema and
other small lakes in the park, the is dominated by savannah, montane and papyrus swamps
which are habitants for many wildlife found in the park.
The area covered by Akagera national park before it establishment was once known as Parc
aux Lycaons a habitat for a large population of African wild dogs, these wild dogs were too
many in number thus the Belgian government so them as pests. These dogs were affected by a disease which resulted into reduction of their population. In 1934 the Belgian government decided to gazette the area as a protected area in the names of Akagera national park.
Initially the park covered an area of 2500 square kilometers, throughout the years the park
has gone through of reintroduction of animals in it
In 1957, black rhinos were introduced into the park from Tanzania
In 1986 masai giraffes were introduced in the park from Kenya
In July 2015 7 lions from south Africa were re-introduced
In May 2017 20 eastern black rhinoceros were re-introduced into the park and in
June 2019 more 5 eastern black rhinoceros were re-introduced into the park from
Dvur Kralove zoo from the Czech Republic, Flamingo Land from the UK and Ree Park
Safari from Denmark.
ATTRACTIONS IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife
Akagera national park is dominated by savannah vegetation, in fact it is the only park in
Rwanda dominated by savannah vegetation which provide a suitable habitat for a wide range
of wildlife which are easily seen upon your visit in the park. Wildlife living in Akagera national
park include topi, buffalo, defassa waterbuck, swamp dwelling Sitatunga, savanna elephant,
zebra, roan antelope, eland, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, impala, bushbuck, lions, hyena, side
stripped jackal, mongoose species, serval, viverid species, Oribi and many more. In the
forested region of the park there lives primates which are spotted that is vervet monkeys and
blue monkeys are mostly spotted around the lakes, swamps and the savannah plains.
Water bodies
Akagera national park consists many water bodies which a dotted around the park, the park
is made up of swamp fringed lakes that is Lake Ihema, lake Shakani, lake Rwanyakazinga, lake
Gishanju and Lake Mihindi. These lakes are the best spot to view numerous wildlife found in
the park, many animals and birds either live in these waterbodies or come to drink water,
notable animals seen around these water bodies include hippopotamus, crocodiles and many
fish species. Akagera national park is also drained by river Akagera which flows through the
eastern boundary of the park to Uganda through Tanzania before emptying in Lake Victoria,
the shores of river Akagera are always filled with many bird species most notably the shoe bill
which lives in the swamp section of the river.
Birds
Akagera national park is a recognized birding site habiting approximately 500 bird species,
the park is a home to a variety of bird species which are observed in the savannah plains, hills,
forest, swamps and shores of lakes and river which dominant the park. Birds habiting in
Akagera national park are of various kinds which include Zambezian biome species which
include Myrmecocichla arnotti, Cisticola angusticauda and lanius souzae, raptors recorded to
be 44 species, balaeniceps rex and Palearctic migrants which included Falco naumanni,
Glareola nordamanni and Gallinago, Afro-tropical highlands biome, congo forest biome,
threatened bird species such as papyrus gonolek and localized red faced barbet. Generally
bird species found and spotted in Akagera national park include shoe bill, cattle egret,
hammer kop, fish eagles, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and
Pied Crow. Black-headed and Vieillot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed
Widowbird, Carruther’s Cisticola and many more.
How to get to Akagera national park
Akagera national park is situated in the eastern region of Rwanda with kibungo as the
nearest city, the park is reached by both air transport and road transport means, by road
means the park is at a distance of 135 kilometers from Kigali town a drive of 2-3 hours. From
kibungo/ Rwamagana it is a 1 hour drive to the park’s main entrance gate which is 500 meters
from Akagera Game Lodge.
NOTE: when using road transport it is safer to use a 4X4 wheel car to help you navigate
through the slippery routes of the park.
There is no domestic flights to Akagera national park but Akagera Aviation offers helicopter
flights from Kigali city to Akagera national park which takes 22 minutes.
Accommodation in Akagera national park
Accommodation is a great fact when making preparations for a safari in any tourist
destination including Akagera national park, accommodation facilities offer many services
and facilities which are very vital to you as a tourist on a safari such as food. These facilities
include
Camping sites
Camping sites in Akagera national park are situated with the park, the camps are
three in number and they are available for tourists. While sleeping in these camps you can
either come with your tent or even rent it. Camp sites include
Shakani campsite situated on the shores of lake Shakani
Mutumba campsite
Muyumba campsite situated on a ridge close to kayonza park entrance with views of
lake Ihema and lake Shakani
Akagera game lodge
Akagera game lodge is an excellent lodge found in Akagera national park, this lodge
offers many facilities to its visitors such as bar, swimming pool, restaurant, tennis court and
fully furnished rooms.
Ruzizi tented lodge
Ruzizi tented lodge is an impressive lodge consisting of 20 accommodation units in an ecocamp, this lodge is found on the shores of Lake Ihema.
