Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park.
Tourists planning their safari in the park always ask about the best time to visit Akagera National Park. The park is open year-round, and the best time to visit Akagera National Park varies depending on individual interests. It is one of the most visited national parks in Rwanda, located in the eastern part of the country, and it’s the nearest park to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, about a 2-3 hour drive to the park. It’s the only savannah park in Rwanda with the African Big Five mammals, thanks to its conservation efforts.
Akagera National Park has a rich natural system, such as wetlands, woodlands, lakes, and savannah grasslands, which provide habitats to various wildlife and bird species. It hosts over 470 bird species, including migratory birds, savannah birds, woodland species, the park’s endemic species, and water birds. It’s also home to over 90 mammal species, including the big five mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, which contribute to its diverse activities like boat cruises, game drives, sports fishing, nature walks, bird watching, and others. Just like any other park in East Africa, Akagera National Park receives two seasons: the dry season and the wet season, and both provide memorable safari experiences in the park.
Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park.
Dry Season
According to reviews from past travellers, the dry season is the most preferred season by travellers planning their safari in Akagera National Park, which runs from June to September and December to February. These months are normally referred to as the peak season. During this season, Akagera National Park receives no to little rainfall, and the park is less muddy and slippery, which makes it easy to penetrate it in search of the African Big Five Mammals. The vegetation cover is short and scattered, which enables visitors to clearly view various wildlife and bird species. Photographers will have an opportunity to take clear photos. This is the best season for those interested in a boat trip on Lake Ihema since the water levels are always low in this period. Since the park is dry, this creates high chances of seeing various animals and birds along the shores, drawing water or bathing. Lake Ihema is the biggest lake in the park, and it acts as a water source to various birds and mammal species.
Wet Season.
Visitors can also visit Akagera National Park during the wet season, which runs from March to May and October to December. The park receives enough rainfall in this season, and the tracks are muddy and slippery, making it challenging to navigate them. The vegetation cover is tall and dense, which prevents visitors from clearly viewing birds and wildlife species from a distance. However, bird lovers and ornithologists say this is the best time to visit Akagera National Park since the park has sufficient food, which attracts many bird species. This is the breeding period of most bird species, which makes it easy to spot various bird species. This is the time of the year when migratory birds come to the park, running away from the harsh weather conditions in Europe and Asia. The wet season also favours the budget travellers as most lodges and travel agencies tend to give discounts.
