Budget Safaris to Akagera National Park.
Budget safaris to Akagera National Park are safaris that offer cost efficiency to travellers seeking budget-friendly experiences in the park. It is among the most loved safari destinations in Rwanda, located in the eastern region of the country. It is the only country’s savannah national park where travellers can have a complete Big Five safari. It’s the oldest park in Rwanda, established in 1934, and it’s a top national park in East Africa with a successful conservation story. It was named after the Akagera River, which flows within the park and feeds a system of scenic lakes like Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, and more. The park has a rich biodiversity, home to over 90 mammal species, including the African Big Five mammals, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and elephants. It also hosts up to 200 butterfly species, reptiles, amphibians, and 480 bird species, including water birds, woodland species, migratory birds, the park’s endemic species, and savannah birds.
The park’s rich biodiversity supports the availability of various budget-friendly activities that travellers on a tight budget can enjoy in the park. For the best deals, budget travellers should consider visiting during the low season, which runs from October to November and from March to May. During these times, Travel agencies and lodges often offer discounts on their packages. Additionally, travellers can save more by using road transport instead of flying, as it is generally less expensive. For budget-friendly accommodation options, travellers can choose from various facilities, including Karenge Bush Camp, Muyumba Campsites, Akagera Rhnio Lodge, Akagera Park Inn, and more
Things to do on Budget-Friendly Safaris in Akagera National Park.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks are one of the best safari activities for budget friendly travellers visiting the park. It gives them a chance to explore the wonders of the park on foot. Nature walks are normally done in the southern sector of the park due to the presence of well maintained trails, which are used to explore the scenic views of the park and its abundant wildlife and bird species. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable park guide who gives more information about the park’s inhabitants that you might encounter. Participants will have a chance to see various tree and plant species, birds, and animals like zebras, elands, giraffes, oribis, and more.
Bird watching.
This is among the top activities for bird enthusiasts planning budget safaris in Akagera National Park. It has over 500 bird species, including migratory birds, water birds, savannah birds, and woodland species. Bird lovers will be delighted to indulge themselves in hundreds of bird species, which include Mourning Collared-Dove, White-crested Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Purple-crested Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Osprey, Secretary bird, Red-faced Barbet, Egyptian Goose, African Pygmy-Goose, Red-billed Duck, Garganey, Blue-billed Teal, Red-winged Francolin, Dusky Turtle-Dove, Speckled Pigeon, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, shoe bill stork, Knob-billed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Ring-necked Francolin, Shelley’s Francolin, Coqui Francolin, Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Blue Quail, Red-necked Spurfowl, Blue-headed Coucal, White-browed Coucal, Black Coucal, Blue Malkoha, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Fiery-necked Nightjar, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Fiery-necked Nightjar, African Finfoot, Gray Crowned-Crane, Water Thick-knee, Black-winged Stilt, Black-bellied Plover, Ring-necked Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Laughing Dove, Tambourine Dove, Red-eyed Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Denham’s Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard Thick-billed Cuckoo, Dideric Cuckoo, African Cuckoo, Madagascar Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Swamp Nightjar and more.
Game Drives.
Game drives in Akagera are the most thrilling safari activities for travellers visiting the park, which gives them an opportunity to explore the open savannah grasslands and woodlands. The park has morning game drives, evening and night game drives, all give equal chances of exploring the park’s rich biodiversity. Visitors will see the African Big Five, Akagera is the only park in Rwanda that offers a complete Big Five safari: rhinos, lions, leopard, buffalo, and elephants. They will also see other mammal species such as giraffes, waterbucks, warthogs, elands, oribis, hippos, blue monkeys, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, among others. Bird lovers will enjoy watching various bird species including White-browed Coucal, Black Coucal, Blue Malkoha, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Fiery-necked Nightjar, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Fiery-necked Nightjar, African Finfoot, Gray Crowned-Crane, Water Thick-knee, and more.
Boat Cruises.
Boat cruises are among the exciting activities to do on budget safaris in Akagera National Park. They are done on Lake Ihema and the park offers three sessions: the morning, afternoon, and late afternoon, all provide an unforgettable safari experience. This allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature and explore the beauty of the park. They will have an opportunity to see various birds and animals like crocodiles relaxing in the sun, schools of hippos swimming or relaxing in the water, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and elands bathing or drawing water from the shores, since Lake Ihema is one of the biggest lakes in the park and acts as a vital water source to the park’s inhabitants. Bird lovers will enjoy the melodic song of various birds like Grey Heron, Little Egret, Black Crake, shoebill stork, African Openbill stork, African Fish Eagle, Great Egret, African Jacana, Swamp Flycatcher, Pied kingfisher, Papyrus Gonolek, among others.
