Rwanda’s Akagera National Park Receives 30 White Rhinos: On 28 Nov 2021, Akagera National Park in Rwanda received its newest arrival of 30 white rhinos from andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. The arrival of the 30 southern white rhinos marks the largest and longest translocation of wildlife in conservation history. This makes Akagera national park the only destination in Rwanda where you can see all the Big Five in one place during your Rwanda wildlife safari to the park.
According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the rhinos will be translocated from and beyond the Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, with the goal of expanding the white rhino range and creating a secure new breeding stronghold in Rwanda, while also supporting population growth to ensure the species’ long-term survival in the wild, as high levels of poaching continue to exert unsustainable pressure on current populations.
The translocation, carried out in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board, African Parks, and others, will also contribute to Akagera’s contribution to Rwanda’s wildlife industry, ensuring that the conservation of the outstanding natural landscapes generates long-term benefits for local communities and all Rwandans, according to the statement.
The relocation of 30 white rhinos to Akagera national park provides a chance for Rwanda to significantly enhance its commitment to rhino conservation, with Akagera positioned to become an internationally significant refuge for both black and white rhinoceros.
The rhinos will be examined daily at Akagera national park by a specialized crew and a professional veterinarian who will manage their acclimation, according to RDB. According to African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead, introductions to secure, intact wild settings are critical for the future of fragile species like the white rhino, which are under significant human-induced pressure.
According to the statement, the RDB and African Parks collaborated in 2010 to administer Akagera, transforming the park into one of Africa’s most prized wildlife attractions and a sustainable cash source for the region’s residents.
To ensure that this new population of white rhinos thrives, each rhino has been fitted with a transmitter that allows continuous monitoring by dedicated tracking teams; a canine anti-poaching unit and helicopter surveillance are also in place to provide additional support for their long-term protection, according to the RDB.
According to the RDB, there were more than 50 black rhinos in Akagera National Park in the 1970s, but the population fell due to large-scale poaching, with the last recorded sighting in 2007.
Since 2010, Akagera National Park has had a renaissance, with poaching almost abolished, allowing for the reintroduction of critical species such as lions in 2015, which have since tripled in number, and rhinos in 2017, a decade after they were last seen in Rwanda, according to the statement.
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s sole protected savannah zone, home to a diverse array of wildlife such as buffalo, elephants, leopards, zebras, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, and antelopes.
Activities Offered By Akagera National Park.
Community Cultural Experiences
Working with local communities and Akagera National Park officials, our tour business has created a number of cultural activities for travelers to enjoy. On a farm in the eastern region, learn about milking cows and cattle and milk traditions; or spend time with banana beer and honey producers to observe how local goods are prepared. All income produced by these trips is distributed to residents of the towns you visit.
Walk the Line Tour
Spend the morning in the shoes of one of Akagera’s fence attendants, who walk a stretch of the 120-kilometer perimeter fence every day to ensure it is intact and fully operational. These seven-kilometer-long pathways that run alongside the park’s perimeter begin at the park’s entrance and carry visitors into the hills. When you reach the conclusion, you’ll be atop a hill with breathtaking views in every way. The walks last around two hours and are conducted by freelance community guides, Rwanda’s Akagera National Park Receives 30 White Rhinos.
Boat Cruise
Visitors looking for an alternative to the conventional safari might choose a boat ride on Lake Ihema, where they can float along the forest-fringed body of water surrounded by hippos and crocodiles. A boat cruise safari is a must-do on your birding safaris to Akagera National Park for serious birders. Boat cruise trips in Akagera are scheduled four times a day, beginning at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., respectively. The park, on the other hand, provides tourists with non-scheduled/private boat cruise trips upon request.
Fishing
Lake Shakani in Akagera National Park is ideal for fishing. Spend the day fishing from the lake’s shoreline before grilling your catch over an open bond fire at your campground. Visitors interested in participating in this activity should bring their own equipment.
Behind the Scenes
Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of park headquarters to discover more about Akagera while meeting park personnel and learning about important conservation efforts.
Night Game Drive
Guided night drives that begin at sunset are an excellent way to end your day in the park. Night game drives in Akagera National Park provide the finest opportunity to encounter nocturnal animals, including as lions and leopards, which are highly sought after sightings! Night game drives in the park are always accompanied by a park ranger.
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