Named after Akagera River, Akagera national park is one destination not to miss out during a group tour in Africa, because it is the only destination suitable for game viewing in Rwanda, with all Africa’s big five mammals (Rhinos, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions and Leopards) recorded. The beautiful sceneries, good road network and accommodation, large biodiversity, flora and fauna, cool climate, savannah plains, the undulating hills, expert guides, security, and the geographical features will leave you amazed.
The park borders Tanzania, and is situated in the northeastern part of Rwanda (the land of a thousand hills). It was established in 1934, with much of its land slashed off for farming purposes. The rest is history, as it now seats on 1,122 sq.km, with lots of beautiful sceneries, wildlife and water bodies, the park by far is said to be the most scenic destination in Africa, though not so famous.
Akagera National Park is not far from Kigali international airport, thus taking a group a few hours to arrive and catch-up with the different activities, have fun, relax, and interact with each other. Despite the destination being cheap, group tours leave no one melancholic since accommodation, transportation, and other costs are equally shared among the group members.
Why Visit Akagera National Park for Group Tours? Why you should select this destination is that after booking your safari in advance, the accommodation of your choice is selected, interesting activities, and a wonderful 4WD vehicle for game drive is approved and no stone is left unturned. The park is a dwelling to the sought after papyrus swamp lovers such as the sitatunga and the shoebill stork, mammals such as buffalos, lions, elephants, jackals waterbuck, topis, giraffes, zebras, impalas, Oribi, eland, hyenas, warthogs, and roan antelopes, primates such as bush babies, vervet monkeys, baboons, and the enigmatic blue monkeys among others.
When to Visit Akagera National Park for Group Tours? Akagera national park is open to visitors all year round, from morning to evening and it is expected that you travel with your documents such as national IDs, Passports and Visa for proper identification. However, the dry season is the most ideal if you will have to enjoy your activities without any interruptions from rain or Mud. This is always from June to early September and December to February. Secondly, most of the mammals come out of the hideouts to search for water and graze in the open savannah grassland thus making it very easy to spot them.
What to do in Akagera National Park for Group tours?
Game drives
Akagera national park offers both day and night game drives for any number of game viewers on a 4X4 vehicle. You can head for a half or full-day game viewing exploration to search for the different mammals such as warthogs, g giraffes, buffalos, zebras, Antelopes, Rhinos, elephants, lions, hyenas, and many more, birds such as the Guinea fowls, shoebill storks, Sitatunga antelopes among others, and rare tree species.
The game drive vehicles and driver-guides can be got from the tour operator handling your safari, or from the park, the cost is very affordable and chances of spotting your favorite game are very high.
Boat cruise at Lake Ihema
Only those who have tried testify to how amazing a boat cruise is, sailing on top of the water while having millions of imaginations swept by the cool breeze arising from the atmosphere. the Boat cruise at Akagera national park is scheduled and can you can book it online or on arrive.
It gives you the opportunity of watching a school of Hippos, crocodiles, water birds and different mammals such as elephants quenching their thirst as well as cooling there body temperatures
Birding
Akagera national park is a birder haven, offering asylum to over 750 rare bird species, including the sought- after shoebill stork and others namely, Zambian arnot chat, papyrus gonolek, lesser kestrel, the long-tailed cistola, Broad-tailed, and white-winged warbler, Carruthers and Miombo wren-warblers among others.
You can spend the whole day in search of these unique species, closely watching and studying their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as possible. They are commonly spotted while having a nature walk or boat ride along the lake shores, swamps, and huge trees.
Sport fishing
Sport fishing is one of the most exciting activities to engage in while out for a group safari. It is intended for you to improve on your fishing skill as well as learn more about fish. This is done in a designated spot at Lake Shakani where you will catch and release the fish after trapping it.
Or have one for a meal in case the experts recommend that it may not survive again when released back into water. Some of the sport fishing tournaments are also carried out in this place.
Guided Nature walk
Guided nature walk at Akagera national park is a wonderful activity that draws you closer to nature, beautiful sceneries, birds, plants, and butterflies. The park ranger will lead you through the fascinating routes while explaining to you some of the things you ought to know, as well as giving you the opportunity of taking photos, visiting the nearby communities among others
Cultural encounter
Visiting the organized cultural groups living around the park is very rewarding and amazing. As you will come to appreciate the value people attached to their cultures, their creativity and fun have fun together.
The locals benefit from these visits and in turn put a smile on visitors’ faces through storytelling, local dances, traditional songs, art and craft, and demonstrations such as milking, grazing, and cooking. Your involvement in the activities and dance is very important since it brings life to the entire group and local natives who will be happy to sell to you some of their souvenirs.
Choosing your Accommodation
Accommodation at Akagera national park range from affordable Budget, midrange and luxury lodges, campsites and hostels; however, as a group, you will need to book few months in advance so as to pick the right lodge that won’t break your bank, secure and have all the facilities you need.
You may also carry your own tents and use the free space set aside for camping, as well as a campfire at night. Some of the famous lodges at the park include the Ruzizi tented Lodge, Akagera game lodge, Karenga bush camp, Muyumba among others
Joining a group to visit Akagera National park
With different travelers coming from different places, and regions in the world, having different likes and dislikes, speaking a different language, joining a group can be a little difficult. However, you can contact a local travel operator who will recommend you to a group with the same preference as yours, and out for the same purpose.
Akagera national park group tours are a lifetime opportunity worth embracing by any group of travelers who want value for money. There are a lot of activities to be done, and fun that leaves you with unforgettable memories.
