Things to do in Akagera National Park.
Travellers planning their safari often ask about the things to do in Akagera National Park, and in this blog, we will discuss the top activities to enjoy on your dream safari in the park. This is one of the most sought-after national parks in Rwanda, drawing thousands of visitors each year to explore the wonders of the park. Akagera National Park is the only savannah park in the country, famous for hosting the African Big Five. It is the biggest park in Rwanda, covering an area of about 1,122 square kilometers, situated in the northeastern region.
It is known for its rich biodiversity, home to over 90 mammal species, 480 bird species, including water birds, savannah birds, woodland species, the park’s endemics and migratory bird species, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. The park’s rich biodiversity is supported by its diverse ecosystems, such as wetlands, woodlands, lakes and savannah grasslands that provide habitats to these wildlife species. The park offers various safari activities that cater to all individuals’ needs, whether you are looking for adventurous activities or simply to immerse yourself in nature. Akagera National Park promises the best safari experiences in Rwanda.
Things to do in Akagera National Park.
Bird watching.
Bird watching is one of the best activities to do in Akagera National Park, which allows bird enthusiasts to indulge themselves in over 480 bird species that reside in the park, including the migratory bird species, water birds, woodland species and savannah bird species. Visitors can do birding either in the morning or late afternoon hours when birds are more active. Some of the bird species to see on your birding safari include Red-faced Barbet, Osprey, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, shoe bill stork, Knob-billed Duck, Secretary bird, Egyptian Goose, African Pygmy-Goose, Red-billed Duck, Garganey, Blue-billed Teal, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Ring-necked Francolin, Shelley’s Francolin, Coqui Francolin, Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Blue Quail, Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, Dusky Turtle-Dove, Speckled Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Red-eyed Dove, African Green-Pigeon, Denham’s Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard, White-crested Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Purple-crested Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Blue-headed Coucal, White-browed Coucal, Black Coucal, Blue Malkoha, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Dideric Cuckoo, African Cuckoo, Madagascar Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Booted Eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, Western Barn Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, African Barred Owlet, and more.
Game Drives.
Game drives are among the best things to do in Akagera National Park that visitors can enjoy while in the park. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who gives more insights about the wildlife species that you may encounter. Visitors can do morning, evening or night game drives, all provide exceptional experiences. They will have an opportunity to see various animals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, rhinos, waterbucks, bush babies, vervet monkeys, zebras, oribis, impalas, topi, elands, olive baboons, serval cats, blue monkeys, warthogs, genets, honey badgers, bush bucks, defassa hartebeest, bohor reedbucks, among more. Bird lovers will find the park a paradise for bird watching, with countless colourful birds that they will encounter on the drive, including Ring-necked Francolin, Shelley’s Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, Dusky Turtle-Dove, Speckled Pigeon and more.
Boat cruise.
This is one of the memorable safari experiences to enjoy on your safari in the park, done on Lake Ihema. It allows visitors to explore the breathtaking views of the park and immerse themselves in nature while seated back and relaxing. Bird enthusiasts will delight themselves in countless bird species as they listen to their melodic songs and awesome whispers from the wilderness. This is one of the perfect ways of connecting with nature and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the park. Visitors will have a chance to see schools of hippos swimming, crocodiles relaxing in the sun, elephants, buffalo, impalas, and antelopes bathing or drinking water from the lake, since the lake is a source of water to the park’s inhabitants.
Nature walk
A nature walk is one of the top things to do in Akagera National Park that allows nature lovers to fully connect with nature and embrace the park’s rich biodiversity. This is a guided activity led by a park guide who gives more information about the wildlife species that you might encounter. It is normally done in the southern sector of the park, where visitors will have a chance to see various plants and tree species, animals like zebras, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, giraffes and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park. Bird lovers will enjoy watching hundreds of birds that call this beautiful park home.
Sports Fishing.
Sports fishing in Akagera National Park is done on Lake Shakani, the only lake where this activity is permitted since its rich with various fish species. The park has a policy of catch and release as a way of conserving fish species. Participants need to obtain a fishing permit, which authorizes them to engage in sports fishing. There are various fishing methods that are used, including hand line fishing, rod and reel fishing, net fishing among others
