Game Viewing in Akagera National Park

Game Viewing in Akagera National Park: Game Viewing in Akagera National Park are normally done where there is a variety of game including the big five, birds and other animal species found in savannah type of vegetation. Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda and offers spectacular views of the plains as well as wildlife sightings. It shares Lake Ihema with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Big 5 are well-known throughout the park and can be seen on every game drive. Tourists have a great time exploring the park in quest of the Big 5, as well as other animal, reptile, plant, bird, and butterfly species.

The park is home to over 500 bird species and various animals, the most renowned of which are lions, who were recently reintroduced. It also includes Giraffes, Elephants, Bushbucks, and Buffaloes, as well as reptiles. The game drives take place in the park’s northern section, however keep in mind that the park’s entrance is toward the south.

The park was named after the Akagera River, which flows along its eastern edge and feeds into a maze of lakes, the biggest of which is Lake Ihema. The mix of forest-fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains, and undulating mountains makes Akagera one of Africa’s most picturesque parks. It boasts tremendous biodiversity and is central Africa’s largest protected wetland.

These marshes and savannah are the major draw of Akagera National Park and may be seen as part of organized safaris. You can be more daring and drive yourself in your own automobile.

Wildlife viewing safaris in Akagera National Park are the highlights of any wildlife vacation to the African Continent. By adding extra days to Akagera National Park, you may include this into your Rwanda wildlife safaris such as gorilla trekking safaris, birding observation safaris, and cultural safari itineraries.

Wildlife watching safaris in Akagera National Park are the finest method to see the numerous national parks in custom-made safari vehicles; the park provides possibilities to sight various species while relaxing in the luxury of your safari vehicles.

Because it is home to several major plains game species as well as those limited to papyrus swamps, Akagera National Park provides an excellent safari experience.

The notable plain game includes elephants, buffalos, topis, zebras, waterbucks, antelopes and elands. Other antelope are duiker, oribis, reedbuck, Klipspringer, bushbuck and impala, and primates like Olive baboons, vervets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with bush babies often seen at night.

Activities Done During Game Viewing in Akagera National Park.

Morning Game Drive

A morning wildlife drive in Akagera National Park allows you to witness the early risers and grazers that traverse the savanna grasslands. Herbivores such as zebras, eland, warthogs, impalas, topis, bushbucks, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and vervet monkeys are common.

As you get closer to the swamp lakes, such as L. Ihema and L. Shakani, you will see a variety of bird species such as the African fish Eagle, open-billed stork, egrets, cormorants, Senegal lapwings, African darter, Hammerkop, Caruthers’ cisticola, pied crow, black-headed weaver, fan-tailed widow bird, violet’s black weaver, and the long-crested Eagle.

Crocodiles, hippos, and other creatures may be seen along the lake’s edge. It is critical to note that carnivores, particularly hunters such as lions and leopards, are difficult to detect during early game drives because this is their sleeping period. Morning game drives at Akagera National Park begin at 6:30 a.m. and go until 11: 30 a.m. Before beginning on your morning game drive, it is best to hire a guide who is well-versed in the park.

Evening and Night Game Drives in Akagera National Park.

Evening and night game drives provide guests with a second opportunity to see creatures that they may have missed during the morning game drive. Evening game drives begin at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m., while night game drives begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. You will enter the park in your safari vehicle carrying spotlight torches for the night wildlife drives with a ranger guide.

The goal of the night drive is for you to see nocturnal species that you might have missed during the day. It’s an opportunity to see the park come to life as the sun sets. A night game drive at Akagera National Park allows you to witness nocturnal species like as lions, hyenas, leopards, bush babies, civets, and a variety of cats.

You will also encounter grazers like as impalas, topis, and bushbucks, which are primarily prey for large cats. Akagera National Park has a vibrant nightlife. The animals are frantically looking for prey. In fact, unlike during the day, most predators lose their fear of humans at night and are therefore brazen enough to approach your safari vehicle.

Wildlife Viewing in Akagera National Park during Boat Cruise Safaris

Boat cruises around the shores of Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s second largest lake after Lake Kivu, give some spectacular aquatic bird sightings, making it the single best way to explore the park, and you can also observe some of the fauna that lives in the lake’s waters. This will provide you with an excellent opportunity to boost the number of animals sighted during your safari game drives.

Keep a watch out for crocodiles, buffaloes, and hippos, as well as colorful Kingfishers, gorgeous Fish Eagles, Egrets, Hammerkop and their massive nests, and even the prehistoric-looking Shoebill during your boat launch. Among the endemic species are jacanas, ibises, plovers, herons, malachite kingfishers, hawks, and many others. The boat excursion lasts around 2 – 3 hours and provides you with an unforgettable experience of Rwanda’s national park.