Akagera National Park

Akagera

Wildlife and Bird life in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is home to a variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, giraffe, zebras, leopards, hyenas, lions, bush bucks, Topis, Orbis, water-buck, roan antelope, duiker, Bohr reed buck, klipspringer, impala and the Cape eland antelope.
Lake Ihema is a sanctuary to schools of hippos and crocodiles, primates like olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and bush babies seen on nocturnal drives

Akagera National Park is blessed with a wide variety of habitats which are home to over 500 bird species including shoebill, papyrus Gonolek, African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons, African Open bill stock, Grey Crowned Crane, African Darter, Long-toed, Water Thick-knee, fish eagles, Cattle Egret, Hamerkop, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and Pied Crow. Black-headed and Viellot’s Black Weavers, Grey-backed Fiscals, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Caruther’s Cisticola.

5 Reasons to Visit Akagera National Park

• Akagera has an inspiring conservation story as it is now home to lions and rhinos, and is the only Big Five park in the country.
• Just two hours’ drive from Kigali, it is a beautiful and convenient savannah landscape to visit, and an easy site to add on to before or after visiting the gorillas.
• For one park, the diversity of habitats is unique including lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains, and woodland makes for spectacular scenery.
• A birders delight, Akagera offers an exceptional birding experience with more than 482 bird species documented including the rare and prehistoric shoebill and some Lake Victoria endemics.
• Tourism is growing with a new day visitor complex and the opening of Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp. Proceeds from tourism revenue are invested back into the park and the local community.

Akagera Travel Information

Akagera’s temperature does not vary much throughout the year, but the long dry season (June – September) brings warmer temperatures whereas cooler weather follows the rains (October – November, and March-May). In general, temperatures typically range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Short dry season (December – February)

There may be some rain during this period, but it is fairly intermittent and usually does not last long. By February, the park can be very dry.

Long wet season (March – May)

This season is characterised by regular rainfall and abundant green grass. Clear blue skies and endless views of lush green grass offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Long dry season (June – September)

This is the warmest time of year, and the park can become dry and dusty. However, the long dry season is an excellent time for game-viewing since grasses are short; and animals remain spread throughout the park due to abundant water in lakes along Akagera’s eastern boundary.

Short wet season (October – November)

The first rains clear haze, and the park returns to its lush green state. Birding is particularly good at this time of year, for many migratory birds pass through Akagera during October and November.

How to get to Akagera national park
You can drive from Kigali through Rwamagana town to Akagera national park (entrance is only through southern gate. Northern gate is currently used only for exit). The journey takes a total of about 2 hours to arrive at the park entrance.

There is an option of flying to the park using the services of Akagera Aviation for those not keen on the 2 hour drive.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park has not attracted as many crowds as the counterpart Volcanoes National Park that inhabits the endangered Mountain Gorillas thus they are not as many accommodations. Below are are some of the selected lodges and camps recommended on your visit to Akagera National Park

Akagera game lodge
Ruzizi Tented Camp
Magashi Lodge
Karenge Bush Camp ( Seasonal)

When to visit Akagera National Park?

Akagera National Park can be visited throughout the year since its climate does not vary much throughout the year, but the long dry season (June – September) brings warmer temperatures whereas cooler weather follows the rains (October – November and March – May). In general, temperatures typically range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Short dry season (December – February)

There may be some rain during this period, but it is fairly intermittent and usually does not last long. By February, the park can be very dry.

Long wet season (March – May)

This season is characterised by regular rainfall and abundant green grass. Clear blue skies and endless views of lush green grass offer excellent photographic opportunities.

Long dry season (June – September)

This is the warmest time of year, and the park can become dry and dusty. However, the long dry season is an excellent time for game-viewing since grasses are short; and animals remain spread throughout the park due to abundant water in lakes along Akagera’s eastern boundary.

Short wet season (October – November)

The first rains clear haze, and the park returns to its lush green state. Birding is particularly good at this time of year, for many migratory birds pass through Akagera during October and November