Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Akagera National Park is one of the national parks in Rwanda and the only savannah park in the country. The National Park is the only place in Rwanda where you can experience the Big Five safari and game drives. Despite being the only savannah park in Rwanda, Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park are never disappointing when it comes to sightseeing experience on safaris in Africa.

The number of wildlife may not be the same as those in other top safari parks in Africa like Serengeti but you are guaranteed big game sightings while on your Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park. Our well-crafted safari package for Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park will allow you experience Rwanda’s top wildlife and possibly combine it with other top safari activities in the country – Mountain Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest and Canopy walking safaris.

Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park – Akagera National Park boasts thriving populations of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, as well as zebra, giraffe, and hundreds of bird species. Elephant, rhino, giraffe, and hippopotamus are the largest mammals found in the park. The primate species in Akagera National Park include; olive baboons and vervet monkeys. Far rarer is the secretive blue monkey that, until a few years ago, was believed to be extinct in the park.

Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park

About Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is a protected area in eastern Rwanda covering 1,122 square kilometers (433 sq mi) along the border with Tanzania. Akagera National Park is named after the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. With the complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps this is the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa.

When Akagera National Park was being formed, there was a large population of African wild dogs living within the area covered by the park. However, an epidemic diminished the population, the last wild dogs sighted in 1984.

In the past years, the Rwanda government set up reintroduction programs and these have been very successful making the country a top Rwanda tour destination and Big Five host. In 1957, black rhinos were introduced from Tanzania and Masai giraffes reintroduced from Kenya in 1986.

In 2009 the Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Network entered into a 20 year renewable agreement for the joint management of Akagera National Park. Akagera Management Company was formed in 2010 as the joint management body for the park.

July 2015 seven lions from South Africa were introduced and released in the park. Since then the lion population has grown to more than 40 of them in the park. In 2017, 18 Eastern black rhinoceroses were reintroduced into the park from South Africa.

As of today, Akagera National Park is home to all of the sought after African Big Five wild animals which are the Buffaloes, Rhinos, Elephants, Lions and Leopards. Safaris here are truly amazing and rewarding with incredible sightseeing experiences.

Akagera is a much preferable East African destination since it is one of the closest wildlife parks from the country’s national Airport-Kigali international Airport. The distance from the airport to the park is slightly about 3 hours. Other wild species like giraffes, zebras, and hippos are also seen.

You will enjoy incredible sightseeing during your Wildlife tours in Akagera National Park, game drives as you are accompanied by knowledgeable driver guides. Always ensure to remain in the safari car all through the game drive. For long game drives, carry snacks and enough drinking water.

Other activities that can be done during a safari in Rwanda include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and hiking in the Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk and nature walks in Nyungwe National Park, birding in all of the parks and cultural tours.