Beneath the valleys of the shadows on the foothills of the surrounding mountains and hills lies a land if told would not fit the precise description of this marvelous sight. Akagera National Park on the eastern part of the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is a jaw-dropping savannah park. It is the only savannah-protected area in Rwanda and one of the biggest in the country. Its history runs deep to the colonial days when it was established. Before it was established as an official national park, it was a forest reserve with a variety of flora and fauna species.
In 1934, the then-Belgian colonial government elevated the forest reserve to a national park status. The park was named after the long river flowing on the northern border with Uganda called the River Kagera. The park is about 1,122 square kilometers in land mass and over 11,200-1,800 meters above sea level.
Nature walks in Akagera.
Nature walks are one of the major tourist attractions in Akagera National Park. Visitors on guided nature walks get a chance to explore the park on foot. The park has a variety of flora and fauna species that visitors get to encounter them close. The nature walks take about 2-3 hours with the help of an armed professional and experienced ranger who leads the visitors on this walk. Guided nature walks are the best time for visitors to enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the park and the cool clean breezes. While on a guided nature walk, visitors can spot various animals such as the Big 5, lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards. They will also encounter antelopes, hyenas, warthogs, and topi to mention but a few.
Other activities in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Game drives involve navigation and exploring Akagera National Park in the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Game drives are a great deal for visitors who wish to explore the whole park. Game drives take about 2-3 hours offering two sessions of day and night. The day game drives begin at 6 am when the animals are actively feeding and the night drives begin at 6 pm as the dusk kicks in and nocturnal prepare for the hunt.
The morning drives at dawn expose the visitors to the aftermath of a night fruitful hunt by the big cats that rule the savannah woodland fields of Akagera. The tales of the Big 5 animals of Akagera National Park can be greatly uncovered while on a game drive. Other animals to encounter include antelopes, kobs, impalas, hyenas, and giraffes among others.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise is also a major tourist activity in Akagera National Park. Boat cruise safaris take place on Lake Ihema located in the southeastern part of the park. Lake Ihema harbors various aquatic wildlife species including crocodiles and hippos. While on a boat cruise experience, you will spot other animals on the shores such as antelopes, waterbucks, elephants, and buffaloes. These animals frequent the lake shores to quench their thirst under the hot blazing sun of the day.
Bird watching
Akagera National Park is home to a variety of bird species. These can be spotted on a bird watching safari experience in the park. There are several designated birding trails in the park. Among the 500 bird species in the park, there are resident endemic birds and migratory birds. The ecological system of Akagera National Park is a savannah woodland park which is a perfect habitat for birds. Experienced birding guides will lead the visitors through several trails to the birds’ habitats. Some of the birds to spot in Akagera include Denham’s bustard, White-browed coucal, Wood hoopoe,
Painted-snipe, Bushshrike, Ring-necked francolin, Monarch flycatcher, Wattle-eye, Brown-chested lapwing, and Blue-headed coucal among others.
When to do nature walks in Akagera.
Akagera National Park in Rwanda receives an equatorial-type climate. It receives two dry and wet seasons annually. The dry season runs from June to September and December to February. During this season there is little or no rainfall with humid temperatures. The wet season runs from March to May and October to November. This season is characterized by heavy rains and cold conditions throughout the year.
Akagera National Park is open all year round for visitors to participate in the different activities in the park. Nature walks in Akagera National Park are best done during the dry season. This is because the designated nature walk trails are dry and easy to navigate.
What to pack for Akagera nature walks?
When embarking on a guided nature walk safari experience in Akagera, there are specific essentials to pack. These include the following.
- Hiking boots
- Raincoat
- First aid box
- Energy-giving snacks
- Reusable water bottle
- Long-sleeved light shirt
- Hiking jungle trousers
- Sunscreen, etc.
