Akagera National Park
Akagera National park, is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda. The area covers 1,126 km2 along the international border with Tanzania. It was founded in 1934, with variety of Montane ,savannah and swamp habitats.
Akagera National park, flows along the eastern border feeding into Lake Ihema with other several lakes. The park has lakes and papyrus swamps that cover up a third of the park. The park has the largest protected wetland in Eastern central park of Africa. Akagera National park is a large place measuring 2,500km2 of biodiversity.
Akagera National park was known as a habitat of the abundant African wild dogs which the Belgian Government always considered as a pest. However sometime in 1984 an epidemic disease heat the park in 1984 and this ended the wild dogs.
After some years in the 1957, the black rhinos were introduced from the country of Tanzania. However poaching has had the population of black Rhinos reduced and the last ones were last seen in 2007.
The park has giraffes that were introduced from maasai in Kenya in the 1986. Akagera park of late a giraffe population that has increased to 90 individuals. The park has over 300 lions. Thought they reduced due to many factors like the genocide.
Akagera National park is under the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). In 2009, the Akagera Management Company was formed in 2010 as a joint management body for the park.
The first lions to be inhabited in Rwanda were from South Africa. After some time lionesses from Phinda Private Game Reserve and Tembe Elephant park in KwaZulu Natal also donated two male lions.
Akagera National park was later on reintroduced with over 20 Eastern black Rhinoceroses from south Africa. These rhinos were absent for over 10 years. Right now the park is a home to the big five lions, leopards, elephants, Rhinoceros and Buffalo.
Akagera National park has a number of activities to encounter.
Game drives
Game drives are enjoyed as nature reveals the great treasures in the scenic wonders, see the Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes, Elands, Zebras, Masai Giraffes, Monkeys, Leopards, Hyenas, Lions, Cats, Rhinos and many more.
During the game drive you are accompanied by a guide and ranger who are very knowledgeable about the flora and Fauna in the park.
Travelers must stay in the car during the game drive. Although the guide can decide to allow them to come out of the car. You will need to pack you snack before heading for the game drive. Enjoy a guided Nature walk, bird walking.Night game drive for those who would like to game drive in the night.
Enjoy a game drive at night for exciting venture out with spotlights to see the creatures of the night. Night game drives for Nocturnal see the predators on the prowl looking for what to eat at night. See the lions, serval cats, leopards, hyenas at night roaming through the dark areas. Nocturnal drive one not to miss wildlife, bush babies their eyes lightening at night. The nocturnal drive takes 2 hours.
Birding
Akagera National park is one place not to miss out for birding activity as there over 520 bird species found in the park.
Akagera National park has abundance of birds in the park, that range from water, forest such as savannah and migratory bird species. Some are endemic to the park, such as the papyrus gonolek, flycatcher, red faced barnes and spot the famous shoebill stork in Akagera.
Akagera National park, water bodies have hippos, water birds, wildlife and many more.
Have confidence to see a lot in the forest and you will light a fire and get ready to roast the catch of fish for your lunch.
Boat rides on Lake Ihema
Lake Ihema which is located in Akagera park is the largest area of concentration of hippos in East Africa and large crocodiles at the shores of the lake.
There many water birds at the lake and spot the shoebill stork. There other animals to see near lake Ihema including elephants as they move to the water bodies as they bath, have an opportunity to get close during the game drive in a vehicle.
Visit akagera national park using the perfect tour operator. Some trips can be organised for you to visit more national parks for example visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Akagera Park.
