There are lots of activities that can be done in Akagera National Park. The park is a good spot for Rwanda’s wildlife safaris and attractions and activities include:-
Game Drives in Akagera
Game drives in Akagera national park are done in safari vehicles starting early morning in search of the leopards, hyenas, and the re-introduced lions. This is because the predators prefer to hunt at night or early morning and usually go into hiding as the heat from the sun increases. Along the carnivores, enjoy the scenery of this beautiful park and several other big mammals like Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Zebra and Giraffes. The landscape and beautiful wild flowers will make for good pictures for the interested photographer.
There is also night game drives carried out by the park officials. These normally last about 2 hours starting from 6pm to 8.30pm in the night. You will have spotlight to help in watching the different nocturnal animals. You might have an opportunity of sighting the leopards as they hunt or even the lions.
Bird Watching in Akagera
Akagera National Park is a well-known place for bird watching in Rwanda. Bird watchers will enjoy visiting Akagera because they can see both rare birds like the papyrus gonolek and shoebill, as well as more common birds like weavers, egrets, and kingfishers. You can go birding while on a game drive, taking a nature walk with a ranger, or on a boat ride on Lake Ihema. Birding on the lake is especially nice because you can see water birds that you might not find in the grassy savannah. Overall, we really recommend birding in Akagera National Park for its variety and the ease of spotting birds.
Boat trips
Akagera National Park is well watered with several lakes. If you are looking for a variation on the usual safari experience, a boat trip on Lake Ihema will not disappoint. Drift along the forest-fringed lake edge, past huddles of hippo and basking crocodiles. For those looking for birding opportunities, a boat trip is a must do while you are in Akagera National Park.
Community Cultural Experiences
With collaboration between the management of Akagera National Park and the Community Freelance Guides, some authentic community cultural visits have been developed to allow guests to see the real Rwanda. Experiences include
- Local Production Tour – witness banana beer and honey production locally; the culture around cattle, and the production of milk. Cattle are particularly important in the East of Rwanda; traditional arts and crafts and local foods.
- Walk the Line
Walking is currently not offered inside the park. The walk is along the edges of the Akagera National Park and you will follow the 120km fence line learning about the people, nearby attractions and conservation. The tour provides a unique opportunity to walk in the shoes of a fence attendant for a short section of the 120km fence line guided by a Community Freelance Guide.
Fishing
Akagera National Park has several lakes. However Lake Shakani is the site of sport fishing in the park. Spend a relaxing day fishing off the lake shore and then cook your catch over an open fire at the campsite.
Behind the Scenes
Would you like to learn about conservation in Akagera National Park? For more insight into Akagera, including conservation developments within the park, take a ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ tour of the park headquarters and meet some of the people integral to the management of the park.
Night drive
A sunset departure for a guided night drive adventure is an ideal way to end your day. Night drives show a different side to the park and are your best chance of seeing the nocturnal wildlife, often the most sought after sightings!
Based in the south, Night Drives may not be possible, depending on the location of Karenge Bush Camp.
Option activities
- Unguided and guided Walking safaris.
- Local community visits.
- Overnight camping
- Tour to Rusumo water falls on Kagera River where the 1994 thousands of dead bodied where dumped during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
- Participation in conservation projects at the park