Akagera national park is the only savanna park in Rwanda located along the country’s northeastern border with Tanzania. The park covers 433 square-miles (1,122 sq. km) in the River Akagera basin south of Lake Victoria.
The river meanders from south to north along the eastern edge creating a labyrinth of 10 lakes with extensive papyrus wetlands bounded by scattered woodlands and forest patches, open savanna plains and rolling hills, creating beautiful sceneries for viewers.
Background of Akagera national park
Originally, Akagera national park covered about 2,500 square kilometers (965 square miles) which was reduced during and after the Rwandan genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Those fleeing from violence took refugee into the park and cleared land for settlement and agriculture leading to habitat loss and increased poaching. The conflict impacted the biodiversity with wildlife species including lions, rhinos, and African wild dogs becoming extinct.
Elephant and giraffe populations also drastically reduced. In 2010, Rwanda started a long-term renewable partnership with African Parks Network to utilize the remaining area for biodiversity restoration. Seven lions and 18 black rhinos were reintroduced in 2015 and more 30 white rhinos were recently added in 2021.
Akagera national park now offers an opportunity to see the Big Five mammals given that recent biodiversity surveys indicate that the overall wildlife populations are increasing including over 54 lions; 140 elephants, and 110 Maasai giraffes. This surge is attributed to the park’s effective conservation law enforcement efforts.
Akagera management has a Canine Anti-Poaching Unit of over 100 rangers who monitor and patrol the park 24/7 using some of the latest technology methods such as Vulcan Earth ranger software tracking devices, ear tags, well trained canine dogs to track poachers and illegal wildlife products at the park’s entrance gates, land and aerial based surveys and 120 km fence. Akagera has since 2010 achieved zero poaching of its big 5 species, making for one of Africa’s successful conservation projects.
Vegetation in Akagera national park
The park sits at an altitude ranging from about 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) to 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) above sea level. Akagera features a variety of vegetation which includes papyrus wetlands, acacia woodlands, and open savanna grasslands which support rich biodiversity including over 480 species of birds of which 100 are found nowhere else in Rwanda.
Open grasslands interspersed with acacia trees such as paper bark thorn (acacia sieberiana), acacia brevispica, ozoroa insignis, ficus thonningii, African myrrh (commiphora Africana), and Euphorbia candelabrum. Lakes are fringed by papyrus wetlands which support aquatic wildlife species such as hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds. Some of the ten lakes in Akagera national park, including Ihema, Shakani, Kivumba, Hago, Gishanju, Mihinidi, and Rwanyakizinga, make up one of the biggest protected wetlands in central Africa.
Wildlife
Akagera national park is home to 480 species of birds, 90 mammal species, and 35 fish species. Among the ungulates you can spot in Akagera include 11 antelope species including impalas, topis, defassa waterbucks, klipspringers, elands, bushbucks, and oribis. Maasai giraffes, plains zebras, and buffaloes are very common throughout the park. The Big five which include lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both black and white rhinos are thriving and seeing them is relatively possible during game drives.
What to do and see
Akagera offers a wide range of activities and those intending to visit can access the park through the Kiyonza southern and exit the park via the northern Nyungwe entry gate.
Guided game drives
Akagera game drives are conducted mostly in the southern plains where lions, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants tend to be spotted due to the open nature of terrain. The area is accessible via the Kiyonza main entrance gate. Those intending to spot leopards, antelopes, and giraffes should aim to take game drives to the northern section which is characterized by hilly landscapes and dense woodlands. Some of the tracks lead towards the border with Tanzania. Make sure to do a game drive around the lake shores during the early morning and late afternoons.
Self driving is acceptable; however, it is mandatory to be accompanied by a community guide available for hire at Karenge, a prime location with spectacular hills at the northern entrance gate.
Boat trips
The lakes and wetlands are excellent for spotting hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds including the shoebill stork. Lake Ihema, the largest, offers boat excursions at different intervals of the day in the morning at 7:30am and 9 am and in the evening at 3 and 4:30 pm.
Lake Shakani, the second largest in Akagera national park is known for its diverse fish species including Nile perch, tilapia, and cat fish which are important for local fishing communities. Fishing trips are done the lake under regulations to ensure sustainable practices plus a catch and cook offer.
Community visits
There are over 500,000 people that live around the park relying on farming and fishing as the main source of income. The Akagera management supports them through various sustainable socio-economic enterprises that eradicate poverty including tourism, conservation, education and environmental awareness, and infrastructure development.
For instance, many locals are involved in tourism related activities such as tour guiding, hospitality services, and selling crafts and cultural tours to visitors. Some of the community cultural experiences in Akagera include visiting a local brewery to see how beer and juice is made out of bananas and a dairy farm to learn about traditional Inyambo cows.
Visit the wildlife fence project
Part of Akagera national park is surrounded by 120 km fence which was put to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The walk is 7km takes 2 hours and is done in the early morning along the fence outside the park to a ridge offering spectacular views.
Behind the scenes
Delve into the conservation work and meet people including rangers and park wardens and what they do protect wildlife. This activity is available for booking at the park headquarters for individuals and groups including students.
How to get there
Akagera is 110 km (2-hour drive) east of Kigali international airport and the speed limit is 60 km/hour. The park can also be reached by helicopter flight, which takes 30 minutes from the airport. Day trips to Akagera from Kigali capital are available for booking through a tour operator.
Accommodation
Akagera offers a wide range of accommodations including luxury, midrange, and budget and camping sites throughout the park. Among the luxury lodges include Wilderness Magashi camp on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga in the north, Ruzizi tented Lodge on the shores of Lake Ihema in the south, and Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.
Those intending to enjoy luxury camping can stay at Karenga bush camp located in the north near the Nyungwe entry gate. Among other budget campsites include Shakani and Muyumbu campsites in the south and Mutumba and Mihindi in the north.