2-Day Best of Akagera National Park wildlife Safari adventure

2-Day Best of Akagera National Park wildlife Safari adventure

This 2-day best of Akagera National Park wildlife safari adventure takes you to the only Savannah national park in Rwanda for an amazing encounter with Africa’s big five mammals. The park is located in the Eastern province in a District called Kayonza, bordering Tanzania and conveniently close to the capital, Kigali. The park, named after the Akagera River, spans 1,122 square kilometers and at altitude 1,286-1,718 meters above sea level. The 2-day best of Akagera wildlife safari adventure starts from Kigali city to the park, and is 98.1 kilometers on the road, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours due to the country’s speed regulations. 

Akagera National Park boasts a diverse landscape, featuring serene lakes, winding rivers, lush forested zones, expansive woodlands, and vast savanna plains. Once teeming with wildlife, the park formerly harbored one of Africa’s largest concentrations of wild dogs. Unfortunately, these canines were perceived as pests and systematically eradicated through poisoning by Belgian colonialists. Subsequently, extensive human encroachment exacerbated conflicts with the remaining wildlife.

The situation further deteriorated during the civil war of 1994, when a substantial number of citizens utilized the park as an escape route. Upon their return after the genocide, many individuals chose to settle within the park boundaries. This influx of people resulted in unrestrained hunting of park animals, and lions, in particular, fell victim to widespread poisoning, leading to their complete eradication.

The current Rwandan government, committed to broader transformations in the country, embarked on the ambitious task of rejuvenating Akagera National Park. Entrusting the management to African Parks, they aimed to overhaul infrastructure and spearhead conservation initiatives. Significant portions of the park are now enclosed by fences, and efforts have been made to reclaim certain areas. Moreover, the government has actively promoted community tourism, ensuring that those living in proximity to the park can reap the benefits of tourism-generated income.

Remarkably, the government has taken steps to reintroduce once-extinct species like lions, rhinos, and other wildlife into the park. Today, a wildlife safari in Akagera offers the chance to observe a diverse array of mammals, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, black and white rhinos, elephants, hippos, Masai giraffes, zebras, kobs, waterbucks, and bushbucks, among many others. There are at least 480 species of birds recorded, 100 of these are not found in any other protected area in the country.

Akagera is Rwanda’s second most important birding site after Nyungwe National Park, and the two parks complement each other perfectly. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is a must for serious and casual birders on 2-Day best of Akagera National Park wildlife Safari adventure. The highlight is a small island where thousands of birds, including cormorants, darters, herons, ibises and African open bills, roost. Other bird species in the park include the African fish eagle, booted eagle, shoebill stork, black headed gonolek, white browed coucal and others.  

Akagera National Park experiences a tropical savanna climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The average temperature varies between 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 81°F). The dry season typically occurs from June to September, with temperatures at their peak and minimal rainfall. During this period, temperatures can occasionally surpass 30°C (86°F).

The wet season, from October to May, brings higher humidity levels and increased rainfall, with peak precipitation occurring from March to May. During the wet season, temperatures are generally milder, providing a more comfortable range for wildlife and visitors alike. The lush landscapes of Akagera, encompassing lakes, rivers, and plains, flourish with greenery during the rainy months, creating a vibrant and picturesque backdrop for Rwanda safari tours adventures.