A helicopter flying safari to Akagera National Park is the quickest way to get to the park for an adventure experience. Rwanda does not have domestic flights but rather has helicopter flights that link to the different tourist destinations across the country, and Akagera National Park is no different. These helicopter flights begin from Kigali International Airport and straight to Akagera National Park at the different landing sites.
Description of helicopter tours from Kigali to Akagera
Embarking on a helicopter tour from Kigali International Airport to Akagera National Park does not stop at quickening your journey but also offers exclusive aerial views of the city and park. The helicopter tours from Kigali to Akagera begin at the airport and take approximately 20 minutes to the park. The helicopter tours are handled and managed by Akagera Aviation a private company the operators the helicopter flights to almost all the tourist destination in the country.
What is the flight timetable?
The flight timetable is like an itinerary for your helicopter flying safari to Akagera National Park. This is because it involves the key information for the flight safari, from the type of helicopter to be used, the departure and arrival destinations, and also the departure and arrival times. The flight timetable also showcases the duration to spend to the helicopter flight.
How much do helicopter flying safaris cost?
The helicopter flying safari costs vary by the helicopter seater-type used. Akagera Aviation operates a wide range of fleets that have various seating capacities, such as 3-seaters and 5-seaters, to 6-seaters, and these come in a wide range of helicopter brands. Helicopter flights from Kigali International Airport to Akagera National Park using the 3-seater Robinsson 44 helicopter cost USD 1,485, 6-seater Agusta Westland 199 costs USD 2,805, 6-seater Agusta 1195 costs USD 3,630, and USD 6,930 for the Agusta Westland 139 5-seater. These costs are exclusive to the journey from the airport to the park. An additional hour on board the helicopter flight to Akagera National Park for a scenic tour across the entire park equals a different airfare. These costs or airfares include USD 2,255 for the 3-seater Robinsson 44, USD 4,730 for the 6-seater Agusta Westland 199, USD 6,133 for the Agusta 1195 6-seater, and USD 11,743 for the 5-seater Agusta Westland 139.
What to see in Akagera National Park?
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah national park, located in the eastern region of the country along the border with Tanzania. The park stretches for over 1,122 square kilometers, harboring numerous tourist attractions. Some of these attractions include the following.
Wildlife species
Akagera National Park is indeed one of the best wildlife destinations not just in Rwanda but also in the region. It harbors a variety of wildlife species, with the most notable being the Big Five species, which include lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos. Akagera National Park, in addition to the Big Five species, also hosts other wildlife species like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, waterbuck, hyenas, warthogs, hippos, and crocodiles, to mention but a few. These wildlife species in Akagera National Park can be spotted on a game drive experience.
Birdlife
There is an average of approximately 480 bird species in Akagera National Park. These bird species occupy the various ecological systems in the park, from the savannah plains of grasslands and woodlands to the tropical and riverine vegetation. Over 100 bird species in this park are native and not found anywhere else in the country. Akagera National Park hosts both migratory bird species, which only fly into the country on different occasions, and endemic birds, which are the common residents. Some of the birds in the park include African jacana, marsh owl, giant African kingfisher, African fish eagle, western reef heron, red-faced barbet, booted eagle, greater painted snipe, and ring-necked francolin, among others.
Lakes
Add to the excitement when you fly to Akagera National Park and visit the various lakes dotted across the park premises. These lakes are the main water source of Akagera National Park, providing water to various wildlife and bird species. The park harbors approximately 10 lakes, on top of offering incredible scenic views, and has different activities from sport fishing to boat cruise safaris. Some of these lakes include Lake Ihema, which is the biggest and most popular, Lake Shakani, known for sport fishing, Lake Rwanyakazinga for epic views, and Lake Mihindi, to mention but a few.
Why fly instead of driving to Akagera National Park?
Several reasons support the verdict of flying to Akagera National Park instead of driving in many reasons as illustrated in a few below.
Aerial views
The epic aerial views offered by a helicopter flying safari of Akagera National Park are mouthwatering as they display the whole park from a bird’s eye view. The vast wilderness of rolling hills, valleys, and plains of the park can best be brought out in aerial view on a helicopter safari. This surely you cannot get it while driving in or to Akagera National Park.
The fastest way to the park
Visitor who are kin on time and want a fast way to get to Akagera National Park then flying is the real deal. Driving from Kigali International Airport to Akagera National Park can take you approximately 2 hours and when you fly to the park, the same distance is reduced to only 20 minutes. Therefore, flying to the park is much faster compared to driving from the capital Kigali.
Privacy
Unlike the roads, which can be congested with traffic of many vehicles, flying offers a more private setting and a way to dodge the congestion. By flying, you will be high up in the air as you enjoy the exclusive aerial views without having to worry about delays or long driving hours.
