Frequently asked questions about Akagera National Park : Akagera National Park is one of the three national parks in Rwanda. The park is the only savannah park in the country with about quite over 100 wildlife species and 500 bird species that you can see all through the year when you visit the park.
Well as many as thousands of people visit this park yearly are as many questions that are asked about this park and the nitty Gritts of the park’s attractions and activities.
Well in this article we answer some of the most common questions asked about this Akagera national park. It should be noted that these questions may are collected from most of our tourists; so, they may not cover everything you’re looking for but will surely answer a percentage of your questions.
- Where in Rwanda Akagera National Park located?
Akagera National Park is located in Kayonza and Nyagatare districts in eastern Rwanda at the border of Tanzania and Rwanda. The park is seated on an area of 1,122 km2 (433 sq mi). Founded in 1934 the park is a mix of savannah, montane and swampy vegetation that combination is the perfect for the wildlife that stays in the park. The park is also home to the Kagera river that feeds into lake ihema and a couple of other lakes.
- Why is the park called Akagera?
The park is named from the Kagera river that river that flows to Ihema river.
- Does Akagera have the big five animals?
Akagera National park is home to numerous animals that include but no limited to Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, topis, giraffes, impalas, zebras, hyenas, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and many more. The park also has a couple of primates including baboons and monkeys.
- What activities are done in Akagera National park?
A number of activities can be done in Akagera National park and these include but not limited to game drives, boat rides on lake ihema and lake shakani bird watching, nature walks, sport fishing, bond fires, trail hiking and many other activities.
- Does Akagera give an option of camping?
Yes, it does, the park has designated grounds for camping with basic facilities for showering and refreshing among other things.
However, what is more popular in and around the park are the fully furnished facilities for accommodation that one gets to stay – the likes of the hotels, lodges, motels, Airbnb among others.
All these facilitates even camping have price ranges from budget, mid-range to luxury.
- How far is Akagera National park from Kigali and how do I get there?
Akagera is about 2 to 3 hours from Rwanda’s capital Kigali and you can mainly get there by road. There are public taxis to the place, but you can also organize for private transport to take you to the place.
If you are not willing to use road you can use one of the domestic flights available. For this however, you need to plan it way in advance because different plane companies have different schedules.
- When is the best time to visit Akagera National Park?
For any park or safari destination, the dry months are the best times of visiting them. This is the same case for Akagera National park. The dry months are June, July, August, September, December, January and February.
- Does being at this park require specific rules?
Like any establishment, this park has governing rules that will be communicated to you, some of them include not disturbing the peace of others, not disturbing the peace of the animals, not littering among many other things.
- Can I access food, while at the Akagera National Park?
Yes, you can access food while at Akagera National Park. The park has a number of food points and the different accommodation facilities have well equipped restaurants for food. The country has local, continental and al carte menus.
- Am I safe at Akagera National park?
Yes, you are, Rwanda in general is a safe country. So, you are assured to be safe while at the park.
