Africa Classic Escapes

Akagera National Park is located in the north-east of Rwanda, on the Tanzanian and Ugandan borders. Akagera National Park could scarcely be more different in mood to the breezy cultivated hills that characterise much of Rwanda. Dominated scenically by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile, this is archetypal African savannah landscape of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with open grassland.

Area

The park covers over 2500 sq km of

Location from Kigali

Akagera National Park is located two and half hours drive east of Kigali Rwanda.

Akagera Ecosystem

The topography of the park is characterized by rolling sandstone hills in the west, cut in places by deep, narrow valleys. In the east, flood-plains and swamps are predominant. The vegetation of the park is extremely varied and, indeed, has been described as the most heterogeneous savanna ecosystem in the region.

Major Attractions

•    Mitumba Hills

•    Akagera River

•    A large concentration of bird life over 525 species identified. Unique species such as Shoe billed stocks and papyrus gonolek can be encountered.  Endemics include the jacanas, ibis, sand pipers and herons.

•    Akagera has a large mammal population.  Within Akagera are elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck.

•    Aquatic life e.g. Crocodiles and Hippos.

•    Lakes: Ihema, Kivumba, Hago, Mihindi, Rwanyakizinga.

Wildlife

Akagera National Park has a large mammal population.  Within Akagera are elephants, buffalos, lions, Maasai giraffe, gazelles, impala, baboons, oribi, Butchel’s zebra, topi, bush baby, leopard and bushbuck.  Aquatic include crocodiles and hippos.

Birdlife

There is bird life such as the fish eagle, water birds, papyrus gonolek, and the bizarre shoebill stork.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the park is during the dry period from November to January when most grass is short and hard.