Game viewing safaris in Rwanda

Game viewing safaris in Rwanda, Rwanda is a landlocked country located in the eastern section of Africa neighboring Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, and Burundi.

Rwanda lies in the great rift valley and the country is gifted with 4 national parks these are nyungwe national park, volcanoes national park, akagera national park, and lastly gishwati mukura national park.

Game viewing safaris in Rwanda are only possible within savannah grasslands and the only savannah park in Rwanda is akagera national park and this makes it the only destination of game viewing in Rwanda.

 

Akagera national park

Established in the year 1934 covering an area of 1,122km² thou by the time it was established it was situated on 2,500km².

The park has got dozens of swampy lakes, large wetlands, and savannah grasslands making it the largest protected wetland in east and central Africa.

This park was named after the river Kagera which flows along the eastern border of Rwanda and Tanzania. This river feeds many smaller lakes of this park including lake ihema popular for its boat safaris.

 

Game viewing safaris in Rwanda

On arrival to Rwanda, you can start with a city tour visiting the different art galleries, museums, local markets, and the Kigali genocide memorial.

Hereafter you will drive to akagera national park located in the eastern part of Rwanda and here you can take part in either the night or day game drives giving you the chance to see the different nocturnal species of Rwanda.

Some of the animals you are likely to see on your game viewing safaris in Rwanda include zebras, elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, impalas, duikers, waterbucks, topis, hyenas, warthogs, buffalos, giraffes, and many more.

 

Accessibility to the game viewing safaris in Rwanda

You can access Rwanda game viewing safaris both by air and by road.

By air, you can use the akagera aviation as they have affordable flights to the park.

By road, akagera national park is only a 2 hours drive from Kigali accessing the park via the southern gate.

 

other activities

while at akagera national park there are several activities that you can take part in after the game drives and these include

bird watching

akagera national park has got 500 bird species and some of which include the shoebill, African darter, grey crowned crane, African open bill stock, squacco herons, Senegal lapwings, giant kingfisher, African wattled plover, and the papyrus gonolek.

boat cruise

the boat safari at akagera national park is often done on lake ihema and expect to see several water birds, primates, reptiles, and mammals.

Some of them can include the shoebills and papyrus gonoleks, hippos and elephants, and lastly the crocodiles and buffaloes.

sport fishing

on the different lakes found within akagera national park, you can stand a chance to catch yourself either cut fish, tilapia, or any other fish species.

This activity is suitable for clients of all ages and also family travelers.

cultural tours

the cultural tours while at akagera national park can be done after your game drive. You will get to know more about Rwanda’s culture, enjoying their local meals, songs, and dances.

The cultural tour takes only 1 – 3 hours at only 20 USD.

 

Where to stay on your game viewing safaris in Rwanda.

Rwanda is a well-organized country with accommodation facilities fitting all kinds of clients starting with luxury, mid-range, budget, and backpackers.

While at akagera national park for your game viewing safari there are different lodges to stay at and these include the following

Magashi lodge

This is a luxury tented camp located along Lake Rwanyakazinga. The lodge has got fine dining, game drives both day and night with its six well-arranged 5-star tents.

Akagera game lodge

The place is fit for both mid-range and luxurious travelers

 

Ruzizi tented camp

This is a luxury eco-lodge situated along the forest shores of lake ihema with a maximum number of 20 clients with its 9 tents.

Karenge Bushcamp

This is a seasonal budget camp in the eastern part of akagera national park. The camp is set up twice in the year and when removed it leaves behind its traces.

The word karenge means a small footprint.