Lakes in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is home to over 10 lakes that are scattered across its massive land area. These lakes are not just tourist attractions but are of huge importance to the wildlife living in the park. This is because these lakes are major sources of water to the many wildlife and 480 bird species in the park. Some lakes in Akagera National Park host various wildlife species, such as Nile crocodiles, hippos, various species of fish, and many water-loving birds that inhabit their shores. Akagera National Park is among the few national parks in the region with many lakes including the following.

Lake Ihema

Among the many lakes in Akagera National Park, Lake Ihema is the biggest of them. Lake Ihema is located in the southern region of Akagera National Park and a major source of water ther. It is popular for harboring dangerous wildlife species like hippos and Nile crocodiles, with other species including various fish species. Lake Ihema stretches for 100 square kilometers, making it the second largest freshwater lake in the country after Lake Kivu. This explains why Lake Ihema has the largest concentration of hippos in the entire park.

At the peak of exploring Akagera National Park, visitors cannot miss a boat cruise experience on Lake Ihema. Since it is the largest lake in the park and the main source of water, it attracts a variety of wildlife species that come to quench their thirst. Visitors on a boat cruise adventure on this lake have a chance of spotting most of the wildlife species, such as lions, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, rhinos, hyenas, leopards, warthogs, and elands, among others. Lake Ihema also hosts a variety of bird species, especially around its shores, making it a popular spot for birding experiences. Visitors at Lake Ihema will spot the speckled pigeon, red-billed duck, tambourine dove, African swamp hen and swamp nightjar etc.

Lake Rwanyakazinga

The north-eastern section of Akagera National Park holds an important treasure called Lake Rwanyakazinga. This is the second largest lake in Akagera National Park, covering 19-23 square kilometres. Lake Rwanyakazinga also serves as the major water source of the entire northern region of Akagera National Park. Lake Rwanyakazinga holds some of the best views of the park, offering clear opportunities to spot animals like hippos and elephants that inhabit this lake. Bird species found on and around Lake Rwanyakazinga include hamerkops, Ruppell’s starlings, little egrets, Hadada ibises and white storks.

Lake Shakani

This is among the most significant lakes in Akagera National Park. Lake Shakani is situated in the southern region of Akagera National Park just north of Lake Ihema. Lake Shakani is a silent powerhouse in Akagera National Park and attracts numerous wild animals including buffaloes, elephants and zebras among others. Lake Shakani is popular for sport fishing and is the only lake in Rwanda where this activity is carried out. This is also possible due to its very shallow nature.

Many birds of prey can also be spotted on the shores of the lake because the fish swim close to the surface. These include the African fish eagle, long-crested eagle, black kite, African skimmer and pied kingfisher etc. Lake Shakani hosts a variety of fish species that can be spotted during a sport fishing experience. Some of the fish in Lake Shakani include Nile perch, tilapia, and catfish, and many others.

Other major lakes in Akagera National Park to explore are Lake Hago, Lake Kivumba, Lake Mihindi. Lake Murambya, Lake Mihindi and Lake Murambi. Explore each of them individually for a chance to have a diverse experience and perspective of the park.

Tourist activities done at the lakes in Akagera National Park

All the lakes in Akagera National Park offer diverse experiences that make the trip there worth remembering. Exploring these lakes presents a chance of spotting many wildlife species. Below are some of the tourist activities done at these lakes in Akagera National Park.

Boat trip experiences on Lake Ihema

Boat cruise adventures are key experiences on the lakes in Akagera National Park, specifically Lake Ihema. This adventure serves every visitors right to explore the aquatic life of this park in the comfort and safety of a boat. Visitors have a chance to spot animals like hippos and crocodiles which are the main inhabitants on the lakes. Other animals to see are elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and zebras, among others that come to the lakes for a drink.

Birding tours around lakes in Akagera National Park

Birding is also a common activity around these lakes in Akagera National Park because the shores of these lakes host various bird species. Visitors can encounter many bird species during a birding tour along the shores of the lakes. Some of the bird species to spot include the shoebill stork, long-toed lapwing, papyrus gonolek, pied kingfisher, African jacana, swamp flycatcher, giant kingfisher, squacco heron, African fish eagle, malachite kingfisher, bare-faced go-away bird, African darter and saddle-billed stork, among others.

Sport fishing on lakes in Akagera National Park

Sport fishing is only done on Lake Shakani in the whole of Akagera National Park. This activity is done following a principle of catch and release. At the end of the activity visitors get a chance of catching at least one fish of their choice to be cooked at their residence. During this activity visitors can come with their own fishing gear or hire from the park. The common fish species caught in Lake Shakani include tilapia, Nile perch, and catfish.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

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09:38 08 Jan 24

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00:41 15 Nov 23

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18:31 27 Oct 23

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18:01 27 Oct 23

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travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

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