Wildlife / mammals in Akagera National Park- There are over 8000 large mammals currently living in Akagera National Park. This incredible increase has been recorded in the past years despite the various challenges famed in wildlife conservation. There are many reason as to why there is increase of animals in Akagera national park and one of them is the new perimeter fence that was completed in 2013 and re-introduction of rhinos and lions which make the park a full package big five safari destination in Africa.

Akagera national park has so many things to offer including wildlife mammals, a game drive through the Akagera national park is the best way to see many mammals and these include the Big 5 African game – lions, African elephants, leopards, buffaloes and lions as well as other animals such as deffassa water bucks, elands, oribis, roan antelope, topis, impala, reed buck, hippos, giraffes, zebras and crocodile etc. buffaloes at Akagera national park can be seen in the northern sector of the park as well as elephants.

There are also night game drives at Akagera national park and these will expose you to other wildlife animals that reside in the park where you will see the nocturnal animals in their natural habitats. It’s so pleasant to plunge into this endless verdure as you fell the fresh air on your face, smell scents of different flowers as you drive through different paths listening to sounds of different birds singing. Night game drives are escorted by an armed ranger using strong spot light torches to see animals more clearly in the dark. Nocturnal animals in Akagera national park include hyenas, civets, leopards, bush babies and several cats.

Boat cruises on Lake Ihema is another way to explore mammals in Akagera national park. Seeing wild animal s on a boat exposes you to abundance of nature. This is the best way to see different animals such as crocodiles, hippos, elephants, buffalos and these always gather at the shores to drink water. You will also have a chance to see some bird species such as African Fish, rare shoebill, marabou stork, grew crowned cranes and other water birds. The park is a home of over 525 bird species that have been so far recorded, 100 of these bird species are endemic to this area.

Game loops / trails in Akagera national park

Akagera national park has very many trails / loops and each of the loops rewards travelers with amazing sights of different wildlife species while on game drive. These include;

Rwisirabo loop

Rwisirabo loop is one of the loops to use on a game drive safari in Akagera national park and takes you about 3 hours but this depends on the stopovers you will make. It’s good for game drives with chances of seeing antelopes such as oribi, topis and giraffes as well as birds. Birders have an opportunity of seeing so many different bird species around Lake Birengero with a chance to see several storks, shoe bill, long tailed cist cola, pelicans as well as black chats and many others.

Nyamabuye lookout

Nyamabuye look out is one of the trails to use where exploring mammals in Akagera national park. Nyamabuye lookout gets visitors not only the best of its stunning landscape that stretches to cover some parts of Tanzania but also a chance to see zebras, waterbucks, topis, rhinos, impalas, buffaloes and much more.

Kitabili loop

Kitabili loop is one of the most outstanding loops that gives you an opportunity to explore different wildlife species in the northern sector of Akagera national park. Doing a game drive in Kitabili loop gives you an opportunity to see zebras, topis, oribi and the different vegetation types. Note that there are limited game drives in Kitabili loop because of the bad nature of the terrain and limited lodging options.

Giraffe area loop

The giraffe area loop is an area with dense woodland and open plains. A game drive along the giraffe area loop gets you stunning sights at buffaloes, zebra and many different types of antelopes. The trail is the best for bird lovers with different bird species such as barbets, meryer’s parrots and different tree species.

Best time to visit Akagera National Park

Akagera national park can be visited all the year round. But the best time of the year to visit Akagera national park for game drive safaris is during the dry season. The dry season in Rwanda happens in the month of June, July, august, September, December, January and February. During these months, the trails passable because there little or no rainfall received and the vegetation is thinner. In dry season the animals stay in specific spots or on the lake shores where they can easily get water thus making it the best time for tourists to visit the park. The wet season is the best for bird watchers because and this normally happens in the moths of March to May and October to November.

Where to stay around Akagera national park

The accommodation around Akagera national park ranges from luxury. Budget to mid-range. The lodges are Magashi Tented Camp / Ruzizi Tented Camp (Luxury), Akagera Game lodge (mid – range) and the budget ones are Dereva hotel / camping in Muyumba Campsite, Mutumba Campsite or Shakani Campsite.

Getting to Akagera national park

Akagera national park can be accessed by air transport or road transport. Using road transport it takes you 2 – 3 hours from Kigali city to the park using a good and comfortable 4 wheel drive safari car. Using air transport you can use a helicopter to Akagera national park. Visitors enter the park using the southern gate and exit through the northern gate.

Visitors are recommended to explore Rwanda to enjoy more of what the country has to offers among which include mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and canopy walk in Nyungwe national park as well as primates in Gishwati Mukura national park.