Rwanda Wildlife Safaris with Explore Rwanda Tours: Rwanda Wildlife Safaris with Explore Rwanda Tours are two of the most popular Rwanda safari activities for tourists visiting the savannah wilderness plains. Over the previous ten years, wilderness safaris have contributed significantly to Rwandan tourism, accounting for 16 and 20% of total local and foreign direct investment, respectively.
Though Rwanda tours may not appear to be the standard wildlife safari destination in Africa, the picturesque Akagera National Park in the country’s east is worth investigating. Akagera Park is bounded to the north by savannah plains, undulating hills, and deep valleys, and to the east by papyrus swamps and lakes. Giraffes, elephants, lions, zebras, and other savannah animals may be found at Akagera National Park.
Rwanda is also home to about 13 primates, including chimps, monkeys, and the Ruwenzori colobus arboreal colobus, which moves in groups of up to 400 individuals. This is the greatest troop size of primates that may be seen in Africa. Many visitors join Rwanda safaris to view gorillas in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzees and other primates in Nyungwe Forest National Park, but they lose out on seeing other animal species.
Rwanda’s wildlife suffered greatly during the 1994 genocide, and the conflict nearly destroyed this park, but it has already been restored to its former glory. Poachers, settlers, and the struggle between the Rwandan Army and the Rwandan Patriotic Front between 1990 and 1994 all wreaked havoc on Akagera National Park.
Because the majority of Akagera National Park workers had either left the nation or been slain in the wake of the war, nothing was done to safeguard the park. There were no researchers or conservationists on hand to protect the park’s fauna.
Poachers and settlers put a lot of pressure on the park, and famous creatures like lions and rhinos vanished in a matter of years, perhaps resulting in the loss of up to a million wild species. Poachers penetrated the park, and several species were eliminated, culminating in the extinction of nearly 300 lions by 2002.
By 2010, Akagera National Park was on the verge of extinction. However, because to smart conservation initiatives, the park is now home to the Big Five and a thriving tourism hotspot. In 2009, the Rwandan government enlisted the help of a non-profit partner, African Parks, to undertake an ambitious campaign to restore Akagera National Park. Wildlife was introduced into the park, and luckily, the animals adapted and their numbers began to climb rapidly. The geography of Akagera National Park ranges from open savannah in the north to rolling hills of woodland in the south, including wetlands that are home to birds and hippos.
Though other East African wildlife parks feature significant groups of wild animals, Akagera National Park is one of the nearest wildness areas to Kigali’s National Airport. Tourists may now witness the Big Five, which include lions, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, and elephants, on a Rwanda wildlife trip. Other creatures spotted grazing in practically every direction include the Cape eland, warthogs, giraffes, impalas, and zebras.
Wildlife in Rwanda.
Rwanda’s wildlife includes mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and chimps in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five: buffalo, rhinos, lions, leopards, and elephants. This is the best site to see the Big Five because they are all in one park, unlike many surrounding nations where you have to visit numerous parks to see all of these sought-after species.
It is worth noting that elephants and buffaloes are abundant, although lions and rhinos are uncommon and sightings are more hit-or-miss. Leopards are timid, although you could be lucky enough to see one in the early morning or late afternoon.
Primates such as the Ruwenzori colobus arboreal monkeys, who have the largest primate troop in Africa with over 400 members, are also found in Rwanda. Rwanda’s wildlife includes the Eastern tree hyrax, Delany’s swamp mouse, L’Hoest’s monkey, owl-faced monkey, armored shrew, African golden cat, South African galago, African clawless otter, Burchell’s zebra, hippopotamus, impala, and guereza.
Best Time for Rwanda Wildlife Safaris with Explore Rwanda Tours!
Taking a wildlife safari in Rwanda with Explore Rwanda Tours during the optimum time of year is the ideal approach to have an unforgettable safari. The ideal months to visit Rwanda for a wildlife safari are June to September and late December to February, which are the long and brief dry seasons.
This is the finest season to see animals in Akagera National Park, as well as the best time to visit Rwanda in general. However, for Chimpanzee trekking, the optimal period is during the wet season, which lasts from October to November, when the chimpanzees do not go vast distances.
What to pack or wear for a wildlife safari in Rwanda?
Rwanda is located in Africa. Some people believe that this region of the world is typically warm, if not painfully hot, but this is not the case because the country experiences both warm and mild weather. To go on an wildlife safari in Rwanda, your list of what to wear should include items that will keep you comfortable while also looking nice for each type of activity. Here is an ultimate packing list after considering the most suggested pick of what to wear on a Rwanda wildlife safari;
Wear neutral-colored clothing:
To see animals on a wildlife safari in Rwanda, you will need to go on game drives. Wear comfy attire in hues that fit in with the surroundings. Clothing with neutral hues, such as khaki, taupe, beige, and grey, is best recommended. Tsetse flies are attracted to dark blue and black clothes. Predators see red-colored clothes as injured animals in the majority of situations. White clothing may become brown with dust, especially during the dry season. Appropriate attire: There is something appropriate for each safari activity. Because you spend the game drive inside the safari vehicle, neutral-colored jeans and shirts are comfortable for a game drive.
Pack light clothing during the wet season, but also bring shorts for the evenings and sweaters for early morning game drives. Because game drives begin early in the morning, a sweater and scarf are recommended to keep you warm. Cotton is the ideal fabric for t-shirts since it is easy to wash. A lightweight but extremely warm jacket is ideal for any season.
Wear Comfortable Safari/Hiking Boots:
For wildlife drives, wear comfortable safari shoes. Wear sandals or flip-flops that will keep you comfortable throughout the game drive because you will be spending the majority of your time in the safari vehicle. Walking shoes are the ideal to wear in case you need to walk; it’s difficult to walk in the forest with sandals.
Hand gloves and Hat/Cap:
Wear hand gloves to keep your hands warm if you dislike having cold hands. Hand gloves are useful throughout the rainy season and in the early morning when it is cold. If you have a late afternoon game drive, a hat will assist shield your head from the hot heat.
Backpack:
During a Rwanda wildlife safari with Explore Rwanda Tours, you must take a small rucksack with you most of the time, and the same is true for the game drive. Put all of your necessities in your bag, including devices, bug repellent, lip balm, and anything else you need and use often. Rwanda wildlife safaris with Explore Rwanda Tours, while helping to the growth of tourism in Rwanda, may not be the ultimate wildlife safari in Africa, but they are quite remarkable. Rwanda is the major lure if you want to see animals in a lovely location.
