Rwanda is known as the land of a thousand hills and the smallest country in East African community; despite of it being small, it is rich with biodiversity, consisting of three national parks that protect its ecosystem and the species. These parks include; Akagera national park in the eastern part of the country, Volcanoes national park in the northwestern part of Rwanda and Nyungwe National park in the Southwestern part of the country.
Volcanoes national Park lies on the boarder of Democratic republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda and it is considered to be the oldest national park in East Africa encompassing five of the eight Virunga Mountains and these include Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura and Mount Karisimbi. This park is famously known for gorilla trekking since it is one of the two gorilla habitats in the world.
Nyungwe national park lies in the southwestern part of Rwanda bordered with Burundi. It is unique in East Africa because of its magical canopy walk which is first of its kind in East Africa and one of three in Africa that inhabit elusive chimpanzees. The beautiful chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest make tourism in Rwanda outstanding.
Apart from the above national parks, Rwanda also has a low mountain, savannah, woodland and swampy national park in the eastern region on the boarder of Tanzania. This national park is called Akagera National Park; it is the largest national park in Rwanda situated on area of 1,058 square kilometers.
The park’s name “Akagera National Park” is derived from River Akagera that crosses the park pouring its water in the second largest lake in Rwanda – Lake Ihema.
What to do in Akagera national park?
The major tourism activity at Akagera National Park is the game drive since it harbors variety of wildlife including Zebra, Elephants, Lions, Giraffes and much more. During the game drive, one may choose to take a morning, afternoon or night game drive to spot out nocturnal and predators that hunt for food at night. A full day game drive at Akagera National Park costs $40 and where one chooses to take a half-day game drive it will cost $25.
Wildlife game drive at Akagera national park gives the tourist an opportunity to spot out the big 5 in the wilderness, Akagera National Park will never be of disappointment when it comes to hunting of these big 5, you will at least have a chance to spot 4\5 of these endangered species.
Game drive is not the only activity at the park, there is also bird watching which is famously enjoyed during a safari in Akagera national park where one spots various bird species including gorgeous lilac-breasted roller, black headed gonolek, white-browed robin-chat, grey hornbill, ross’s turaco, crested barbet, red-faced barbet, swamp flycatcher, the threatened papyrus gonolek and so many others.
Enjoy bird watching as well while on a launch cruise at the second largest Lake Ihema, sailing on this deepest lake as you watch different water birds like African fish eagles, crowned cranes and much more supplemented with numerous animals that rest and drink at the banks of the lake these include; hippos, Crocodiles and other animals that might have slopped to the lake for water.
Where to stay in Akagera national Park?
Due to high concentration of tourists at Akagera National Park, the park offers variety of accommodation to all classes of tourists; whether Budget accommodation – Dereva Hotel, Midrange lodge – Akagera game lodge or Ruzizi Tented lodge – a luxury lodge.
A safari in Akagera National Park exposes you to the nature and wildlife of Rwanda, if you have not yet done a safari here; just book a wildlife safari in Rwanda for ultimate experiences.
