Akagera National Park

Akagera national park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda and its famous for its river Kagera which crosses through the park to Lake Ihema .Akagera national park covers 1200km² of land nearing Tanzania border. The park’s history is determined since 1934 when it was gazetted to secure wild animals and the rare vegetation within the country. The various lake type and papyrus swamps within the park makes up over a third of the park and this is the reason as to why many visitors flock into the park to enjoy its wild games.

Game drives, seven Transvaal lions from South Africa were introduced and released in the park, making them the first lions, five lionesses were also donated from Phinda game reserve plus two other male lions that were brought from Tembe elephant reserve in Kwazulu in Natal. This restored the grace of the lions in Akagera national park as many local ones were killed in as the people were resettling into the park after the genocide in a way of protecting their livestock.

The different wildlife found here in the park includes zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes; impalas among others can be seen through a guided game drive which can be done either during day time or at night. Rwanda reintroduced around 20 Eastern black rhinoceroses from South Africa and this has added beauty in the park as this almost forms the big five which shouldn’t be missed by the visitors while in Rwanda.

Hundreds of bird species, such as the rare shoe bill stork In the southern part of the park can be observed by the visitors who enjoy boat cruising and fishing as many of them reside along the shores of the lakes and also the papyrus swamps within the park, this makes the park a suitable visiting ground for birders and photographers plus those who prefer participating in the fishing activities. While on the boat Lake Ihema is home to hippos and crocodiles with their interesting features.