Founded in 1934 Rwanda during the Belgian colonial era, the largest protected savannah wetland in the eastern and central Africa, seated on a spanning 433 square miles of land is Akageranational park. It is just shy of 3hours from Kigali city, the capital of Rwanda. Named after the Kagera river that feeds a venation of small water bodies in the park like lake Ihema. It lies on a rugged low, wide plains dominated by sparsely spread forests and cactus-like shrubs called Euphorbia candelabra.
This myriad of bioversity runs along the Tanzanian border and is managed by African Parks Network (APN) under a 20-year renewable alliance with the Rwanda Development Bank (RDB), to reverse the devastating effects of poaching and near extinction of rare animals due to the Rwandan genocide of 1994. When the farmers returned after the massacre, they settled in the game park and began clearing vegetation and hunting wild animals leading to the wide spread migration of most animals.
The park was nearly extinct too having lost most of their animals. That is when RDB merged with African parks Network (APN) to raise the park from ashes in 2009. The alliance has seen to the birth of Akagera Management company (AMC) to run the day to day management of the park, newer protection measures of fencing the park, air surveillance helicopters hovering over the vast savannah and canine anti-poaching units and improved infrastructure. The land was reduced in size by around 50% after the refugees were resettled.
Furthermore, it has become an economic self-sustaining model taking care of over 97% of its budget by 2024 by tourism alone, reducing its dependency on donors.
This park back then used to be a home to abundant wild dogs that it was named ‘parc aux lycaons’ which unfortunately perished to a disease epidemic with the last sighting in 1984. Hopefully, they will resurface soon.
Akagera National park is a well-endowed wildlife and conservation center with breathtaking rolling hills, sprawling woodlands of acacia and numerous indigenous plant life and fauna, swamps and numerous small fresh water lakes like lakes Ihema and Shakani. It is one of Rwanda’s Big 5 safari sites, boasting of 520 bird species including the rare shoebill stork, localized red-faced barbets, swamp fly catcher, fish eagles, Grey-back Fiscals, cattle Egret, Long-crested Eagles, Pied Crow, Hamerkop, Black-headed and Viellots Black Weavers, Augur Buzzard for birdwatching activities. A buffet of over 13,500 animals starting with the big five; lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. Rhinos and lions were recently reintroduced to Akagera in, East black Rhinos and South white Rhinos gifted in 2017 while lions came in 2015 after their extinction.
More animals to see in Akagera are; Masai giraffes, zebras, hyenas, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and antelope species like Cape Eland, water bucks, impalas, Topis, klipspringers, Roan, Bushbucks, Duikers, Oribis. In the wonderland, there’s a number of primates roaming the trees like Nocturnal bush babies, Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys. All these can be seen in the dry season of June to September when the vegetation cover has reduced and variety of animals gather around water sources. A perfect view of all of Akagera’s wildlife on display for consumption.
The tourism activities offered in the park are grouped into 5 called the Big 5 Safaris. These activities oversee an exclusive experience of stripping the beauty of Akagera bare to the eye of nature lovers;
Picture perfect daytime game drives through the park on secure trucks with binoculars to see even the smallest creature in the savannah from the majestic elephant to the hardworking black ants.
Thrilling nocturnal time game drives give a chance to experience the nocturnal animals like leopards, hyenas in their natural instinct driven habitats that are shy to hunt near the trails.
Boat safaris on the beautiful serene waters of lake Ihema, home of the majestic, log looking crocodiles who take the job of security very well while cuddly looking hippopotamuses laze in the waters occasionally assaulted by the tiny white birds. There’s also fishing done on lake Shakani
Guided Nature walks facilitated by the trusted and seasoned local guides who knows the trails like the back of their hands into the sparsely tree filled beauty to guide you through an exhilarating journey.
Birding safaris for the bird watching enthusiasts who are fascinated by the chirping choristers in the trees, the rare papyrus Gonolex galivanting the swamps and the majestic athlete birds like ostriches who circle the savannah in bare minutes.
After a beautiful day outdoors visiting with the wilderness, Akagera national park has beautiful luxury accommodations like Ruzizi tented lodge, built by Akagera management company in 2013. A 20 tented eco-conservative rooms for twenty esteemed guests, overseeing the shores of lake Ihema, beautifully furnished with African décor to mimic outdoor tents linked using board walks and first of its kind in Rwanda. They come with ensuite bathrooms for a relaxing bath after the long trail. The tents are created to blend in with the savannah grassland surrounding them with shrubbery covering them. Though accommodation cannot house a lot of guests, it is worth it. For a celestial experience. Then the second place is Akagera game lodge that boasts of the best panoramic views of lake Ihema. Located in the heart of the park, it is the most strategic place for a nature indulgence. It was the first lodge to be established in the akagera park and much improvements have been made to the infrastructure and amenities to ensure a memorable experience. There are also camping services where the ultimate savannah rugged lore is offered, tents, a seasoned local tour guide and minimal necessities. Backside to this, is the possibility of physical encounters with animals especially the troublesome monkeys otherwise all should be well.
This sphinx of east Africa survived a genocide, people and animals both. Rising from ashes like Mutware, the chief elephant, sole survivor of Akagera side of genocide, this exquisite gem of a place deserves a place on your vacation list. Experience an uplifting history, a visible picture of growth and of course, the Eden of Rwanda; Akagera National park.