What to do in Akagera National Park?

for What to do in Akagera National Park? Various activities can be done in the park such as safari game drives, Bird watching, boat cruise among others. Please see below;

Safaris game drives in Akagera National Park

Game drives tours in  Akagera National Park are conducted using safaris vehicle early in the morning on the outlook of big five mammals of Africa and other wildlife species which include the leopards, hyenas, and the re-introduced lions.  The reason for carrying game drives very early in the morning is because the predators become active with hunting during the night and early in the morning they tend to go into hibernation and thus waking up early for the morning game drives will increase your chances for seeing these animals.  Along with the carnivores, you can encounter the scenery of this beautiful park and several other big mammals like Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Zebra, and Giraffes. The landscape and beautiful wildflowers will make for good pictures for the interested photographer.

Akagera National Park is the only place where one can do night game drives. Night game drives are done using spotlights and an open-roof vehicle to allow visitors to spot nocturnal animals like a genet, mongoose, bush babies, owls, nightjar, leopards, and hyenas. Night game drives cost $40 for an international visitor and last between two to three hours. All these game drives are done in company with a professional tour guide and ranger guide.

 Boat safari trips in Akagera National Park

The boat cruise is one of the interesting activities taking place on Akagera National Park particularly on Lake Ihema. The best way to spend an afternoon in Akagera national park is to take a boat ride on Lake Ihema. Most animals are hiding under the shade because of the heat from the sun as others come to the water for cooling off and drinking. In addition to a variety of water birds, you will watch schools of hippos in the water and crocodiles by the shores of the lake.

The bird species that visitors can see while on boat cruise safaris on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park include African darter, African jacana, blue-headed coucal, cormorant, fish eagles, kingfishers, marsh flycatcher, and the open-bill stork. International visitors need to pay United States dollars 40 for the boat trip. Only 11 people are allowed into the boat. Those who want a more private experience can arrange their trip at United States Dollars 180. Boats depart in the morning and afternoon.

Bird watching safaris in Akagera National Park

Akagera National park shelters over 470 bird species  making it and this has made it a top birding destination in Rwanda for the birders. Visitors cannot see all these birds in one day or a single trip. You will have a new bird to discover every trip or each day. The shoebill stork is the most sought for bird specie among other bird species. Other bird species include raptors, papyrus gonolek, shoebill stocks, migrant birds such as the lesser kestrel and the great sniper, the Zambian Arnot chat, Sauza shrike, and the long-tailed Cistola, and many other colorful birds.

 Sport fishing tours in Akagera National Park

Visitors interested in sport fishing do it around Lake Shakani, one of the lakes in the park. The most common fish in the lake are tilapia and catfish. As you engage in sport fishing, you might catch sight of or hear hippos further nearby. Some fishing tournaments take place often, you could participate if there is one going on at the time of your visit. Visitors should obtain a fishing permit and make a booking on this lake.

Nature walk guided safaris in Akagera National Park

Nature walks in the park are conducted with the help of a park guide. Guided walk via elected sections of the park gives you opportunities to appreciate the great biodiversity in the park. Nature walks involve following established park trails that lead to forests, lakes, and swamps. As you move, you will come across exotic plants, colorful butterfly species, the water bird species and smaller animals that you missed during the game drive.

Nature walks are peaceful and a very good opportunity to appreciate nature at a much slower and easier pace. Related to nature walks, visitors can also involve in a fence walk by joining the park staff and the security. The security fence has played a key role in safeguarding the park against illegal activities and acts from humans. Visitors can walk for about seven kilometers along the security fence and this offers great views of the park for just two hours.

Cultural tours in Akagera National Park

Visitors can experience the rural Rwandan life around the cattle-keeping communities near Akagera National Park. You have the opportunity to observe and participate in cattle grazing, milking, traditional milk storage in calabashes for preservation. You go through the process of processing milk into products like yogurt, ghee before preparing meals. This authentic cultural experience shared by the locals living adjacent to the park.  This contributes to conservation culture and wild animals in the park

There are other tourist activities that you can engage in while in Akagera National park. These include visits to Rusumo Falls, presidential palace, Kigali city markets, the genocide memorial site. Visitors interested in shopping for souvenirs can stop by one of the local art and craft shops along the way.

When to visit Akagera National Park?

This presents the best time or favorable climatic conditions of the year when visitors can explore Akagera National Park. The best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the Dry season (July to September and January to March).  At this time of the year, spotting wildlife is easy to spot as they congregate around water bodies. The park trails are dry and easy to access for game drives, vegetation is sparse making wildlife easily seen.

The rains have stopped then but the park is still green from the previous rainy season. At this time of the year, many of the waterholes get dry and the animals go to the few remaining pools. This makes it easy to spot them at one point unlike in the rainy season. The wet season (March, April, and December). The rainy season, however, does not favor game viewing and other activities within the national park due to the road conditions.