The Most Powerful Akagera Wilderness Adventure 2024 Rwanda

Introduction to Akagera Wilderness Adventure in Akagera National Park Rwanda

Akagera Wilderness Adventure. Akagera National Park

Akagera national park rwanda is on a 433 square miles land area. It is situated on the country’s border with Tanzania and is one of the Oldest National Parks on the African Continent having attained its status in 1934.

It acquired its name from River Kagera which runs on the Eastern edge of the park and pours its water into Lake Ihema and further into Lake Victoria in central Uganda. It’s a swampy region and papyrus vegetation covers most of the land area. It has since become one of the most protected wetlands in Central and Eastern Africa.

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Gorilla Trekking Ruhija Sector. Akagera Wilderness Adventure. Akagera National Park.

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History of Akagera national park Rwanda

The Park has some rich history that most people may not be aware of. Before 1934, the area was initially a reserved forest before officially obtaining national park status.

Akagera National Park in Rwanda initially spanned over 2,500 square kilometers, but due to human activity, the land area covered diminished over time. The park’s big game mammals at the time had flourished in large numbers, with many elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalos and many others.

The wild dogs, also known as lycanos were in large numbers and at some point, the reserve area was referred to as a park of lycanos. Akagera national park rwanda has not been without challenges, one being in 1984 when an unknown epidemic spread, claiming numerous wild dogs’ lives.

The second challenge that befell Akagera National Park was in 1994 when Rwandan genocide started, whose consequences ended up into killing of more than 50% of total animal population and encroachment on the park land.

Encroachment on the park land led to loss of about 25% of total park’s area. Around 2007, the park reported the last sightings of lions and rhinos, and a significant number of species became extinct. All this was subsequent to the problems caused by uncontrolled hunting and poaching.

Around 2009, Rwanda government and the Park’s management entered into a memorandum of understanding with African Parks, for management of this national park. Since then, there has been tremendous successes which have also seen introduction of lions and rhinos around 2017.

Attractions in Akagera National Park

Black Rhinos

Being largely a Savannah Park, most of the wildlife within are quite familiar. These are ably seen as they graze on the vast area that is covered with succulent grass.

Some of the resident wildlife includes elephants, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, duikers, oribis; and carnivores such as lions, leopards and hyenas.

In 2017, the park reintroduced rhinos. Since Akagera National Park also features water bodies, it harbors water-acclimated wildlife such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. They are common along lake shores of Lake Ihema and the scenery is beautiful especially during the dry season as these animals bask in the sun.

The forest region of this national park is home to primate species which include monkeys of different species and baboons.

Bird Species

This area has various birds with over 450 bird species. They are remarkably in high numbers and are visible in all park areas. Commonly spotted are, herons, papyrus Gonolek, Cattle Egret, African Open bill stock, Caruther’s Cisticola, White-bellied Kingfisher,

Hadada Ibis, Hartlaubs’s Duck, Senegal Lapwings, Red-rumped Tinker bird, fish eagles, Black-collared Lovebird, Long-crested Eagle, shoebill, Chestnut-breasted Negro finches, Pied Crow, Piping Hornbills, Long-toed and Water Thick-knee, Black-wattled Hornbills, Augur Buzzard, Red-bellied Malimbes, and many more.

Abundant fresh water bodies

Akagera national park has a considerable number of lakes and these include Lakes Shakani, Gishanju, Rwanyakazinga, Mihindi, and Lake Ihema.

They are a hub of numerous aquatic mammals and bird species. They also help in conservation of the park since they drain excess water from the wetland regions preventing most park areas from flooding. Lakes such as Shakani also have numerous fish species that offer endless chances of sport fishing.

The lake regions also act as homes to tens of amphibian species such as frogs and toads. At the shores, many birds of all kinds are visible. The active fishers come over to the lakes in patient wait of the perfect moments to swim for the catch of their prey.

Activities in Akagera National Park

Game drives

Game drives are commonest activities in Akagera National Park, and they give tourists an opportunity to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Animals range from herbivores like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, to their preys such as lions and leopards. There are also gigantic mammals like elephants and recently reintroduced rhinoceros within the park.

Game drives are carried out in 4×4 open roof vehicles, which give tourists an opportunity to capture epic photography. The drives in Akagera National Park ordinarily last for 2 hours, and commence as early as 6 AM for the desiring visitors to view various wildlife as they arise from their sleeping dens, up to 8:30 PM, for tourists interested in viewing nocturnal animals, and some carnivores as they hunt in the night.

Bird watching

Akagera national park provides a unique experience for birding to Tourists because its collection is composed of land and water birds. Different lakes and wetlands are a catchment area for water birds, while the long grass is another residence for dry area birds. There are over 450 bird species, with some endemic to the area.

Boat cruises

These are dominant on Lake Ihema. The lake has calm and conducive waters perfect for water cruises and other water sports.

Boat cruise becomes more interesting during hot days as tourists gaze at beautiful scenery and wildlife on the lake’s shores. Birds are equally abundant, commonly engaging in fishing and flying. Interested holidaymakers can schedule cruises, ranging from ordinary to custom ones, organized by various organizations.

Cultural tours

Much of the cultural composition near and around Akagera National Park is cattle keeping. The difference is that the breeds of cattle reared by surrounding communities is rare to most visitors.

Visitors get an opportunity to witness local methods of grazing, milking, and conversion of preserved milk into ghee and local yoghurt in Akagera National Park.

Tourists also get warm reception in Akagera National Park to the locally prepared meat and other supplementary agricultural products from local communities. Additionally, there’s more to learn about local customs and traditions of Kinyarwanda culture. Music, dance, folklore, artifacts, beautiful clothing fabric and traditional crafts.

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