Encountering the Big Five animals on a Rwanda safari in Akagera National Park is every visitor’s dream. This is why an entire safari is dedicated to these Big Five animals, emphasizing their encounter. What better way to have a Big Five safari than doing it in Akagera National Park? The Big Five safari in Akagera National Park is a safari specifically designed to spot the iconic Big Five.

The Big Five is a team that dates back to when trophy hunting was at its peak in Africa. This involved hunters locating and killing wildlife for prestige, trophy and display. During trophy hunting, hunters discovered that some wildlife proved very hard to hunt. This was mostly because of their aggression, swiftness, and strength, which made them close to impossible to hunt. At the time, trophy hunters referred to and categorized these animals as the Big Five. The Big Five animals include lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants.

However, as much as these animals proved hard to kill by trophy hunters then, some are also hard to spot on a safari today. This is mostly attributed to their nature as stealth animals and being solitary and elusive.

About Akagera National Park

Spanning over 1,122 square kilometers of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the country’s only savannah park. It is located along the eastern border with Tanzania. The north border of the park follows the River Kagera, flowing along the borderline with Uganda. Akagera National Park is named after the River Kagera. Approximately 20 years ago, the Big Five safaris in this park were considered a myth, they did not exist in Rwanda.

However, through resilience, patience, and hard work, Akagera National Park now thrives as a top Big Five safari destination. At the time when Rwanda faced a very tragic civil war in 1994, that led to the death of over a million Tutsis, part of the park was heavily destroyed. Still, at the end of this civil war, many returning refugees encroached and settled in the park, killing most of the animals.

It is during this time that poaching was at its peak, and most of the Big Five animals, like elephants and rhinos, fell victim. Lions were also killed as they were seen as threats to the domestic animals, as some families that settled in the park were farmers.

However, what seemed to be an impossible task and a dream slowly shifted into reality. In a partnership by the Rwanda government through the Rwandan Development Board with an NGO called African Parks, animals like lions, elephants, and white rhinos were reintroduced in the park. The most recent addition was a relocation of over 70 white rhinos from South Africa to Akagera National Park. At the last count, Akagera National Park has a growing population of 60 healthy lions.

Activities to do on a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park, Rwanda

The Big Five safaris in Akagera National Park present opportunities for adventure in the park. Some of the thrilling adventure activities done on this safari include the following.

Day game drives

The Big Five safari in Akagera National Park is one of the most highly sought-after experiences in the park. The best way to have a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park is on a day game drive that takes 2-3 hours. A day game drive allows visitors to get closer to these animals while in the safety and comfort of the safari vehicle. Big Five animals are very territorial and can attack if they feel threatened. Interestingly, these animals do not perceive safari vehicles to be threats, and thus, visitors in safari vehicles can get relatively close to have an unmatched experience.

Game drives are included in the price for entrance to the park, which is $100 per person for international visitors. For Rwandans and East African Community residents, a fee of $50 per person is expected. Rwandan or East African Community citizens are required to pay only $16 per person. Meanwhile, vehicle entrance is charged only $10 per car.

Night game drives

Lions and leopards are part of the Big Five animals, that however spend most of their day resting and conserving energy for a night hunt. Unlike lions, which are social, leopards are solitary animals and very elusive. This means that they present a bigger challenge to be encountered by visitors on a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park. This is why night game drives are ideal for spotting these animals, when you are most certain that they are active. The night game drives start at 7:00 pm. and end at 10:00 pm. Night game drives in Akagera National Park cost $40 per person.

Guided nature walks 

With experienced armed range guides, visitors can abandon the comfort of a safari vehicle and explore the vast savannah plains of Akagera, searching for the Big Five. Not long in the walk, visitors have a chance to encounter some of these animals, especially elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. The mentioned animals are herbivorous and spend the rest of the day grazing. During guided nature walks, visitors can keep a reasonable and safe distance from these animals while capturing memorable moments. Nature walks in Akagera National Park cost $55 for foreigners, $40 for foreign residents and RWF 35 for Rwandans. East African citizens and East African Foreign residents pay $35 and $40 per person respectively.

Boat trip 

A boat cruise on Lake Ihema also presents a chance to spot the Big Five on a safari in Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Afternoons in Akagera come with warmer temperatures that prompt animals to travel downstream to Lake Ihema to quench their thirst. It is here, on a lucky day, that visitors can have an opportunity to enjoy the Big Five safari in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. They visit and gather on a common ground for their own survival. Scheduled boat trips in Akagera National Park are done either during the day, each taking 1 hour. Morning boat trips cost $35 per person while sunset boat trips cost $45 per person.

In conclusion, spotting all the members of the Big Five during a single game drive can be considered sheer luck. This is because of the elusiveness and solitary nature of some of the members, like the leopard. This is why all activities are hands-on during a Big Five safari to have a chance of spotting all the Big Five animals. The wilderness is not like a zoo where each animal is available to be spotted in a cage. The wilderness is a game of patience, strategy, and pure luck, as nature dictates.