How to get to Akagera National Park
How to get to Akagera National Park? Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest savanna national park covering a total area of 1,122km². It is the only national park in the country where tourists can get to view the Big Five. The national park derives its name from River Kagera which flows through the park.
The national park was first established in 1934 and is located in the northeastern part of Rwanda, along its border with Tanzania. It is dominated by swamps and lakes which flow into the Kagera River. The northern part of Akagera national park is dominated by low lying grasslands and savanna plains; lush, green and well-endowed rolling hills and valleys in the western part of the national park, and finally beautiful lakes and rivers in the eastern part of the park.
Akagera park is managed by Akagera Management Company, after a joint management agreement signed in 2010, between Rwanda Development Board and Africa Parks.
The national park is home to over 500 species of birds and over 100 elephants. Tourists visiting Akagera on a wildlife safari will not be disappointed as you will get to view a variety of wildlife species such as; lions, zebra, giraffe, leopard, hyena, antelope, impala, hippopotami, crocodiles, oribis and eland among others. There are over 8000 large wildlife animals in Akagera National Park.
Tourists visiting Akagera national park in Rwanda can engage in activities such as; day and night guided game drives, nature walks, community/ cultural tours, bird watching, fishing and boat cruises among others.
Getting to Akagera National Park.
Visitors who wish to explore Akagera can access the national park by road or air. The main entry point into Rwanda is Kigali International Airport. The airport is about 10km on the outcasts of Kigali city and it is where most of the journeys to Akagera begin.
By Air: Tourists can get to Akagera by air using chartered flights from Kigali airport to the national park. Akagera Aviation offers most of the charter helicopter flights to most of the national parks in Rwanda.
By Road: Travelers accessing Akagera by road are graced with the opportunity to explore the splendid beauty of Rwanda’s evergreen and well-terraced hills and valleys; while on a road trip to Akagera.
Being located in the northeastern region of the country, Akagera park is approximately 110 km from Kigali City, which is about 2½ hours of driving. About 28 km of the total journey leading to the national park is comprised of dirt roads; hence it is advisable for tourists to use 4×4 wheel drive safari vehicles when traveling to the national park. This will enable you to easily navigate the murram roads and thick vegetation in Akagera.
Akagera can also be accessed from Kibungo and Rwamagana, which is about an hour’s drive.
When Best to Visit Akagera
Akagera park in Rwanda can be visited all through the year; however, the best time to visit the national park is between December- February, which is a short dry season in the park. The other appropriate time for tourists to visit the national park is between June- September when the park experiences its long dry season. These times offer tourists with the best opportunity for game- viewing since the grass in the park is short, and animals are spread throughout the national park.
Akagera is a great spot for any tourist who wants to view the Big Five along with other wildlife animals in Rwanda.
In case you want to make any inquiries, do get in touch with us and don’t forget to book with us your wildlife safari in Rwanda.
