Visit AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

This ambient park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda on the border of Rwanda and Tanzania. The national park covers an area of approximately 1,122 square kilometres, characterized by blissful wetlands, magnificent low-lying mountains, radiant savannah woodlands and spectacular species of wildlife. It is noteworthy that the park is a habitat for over 800 species of wildlife.

History of Akagera National Park.

The National Park was founded in 1934 by the Belgians who were ruling Rwanda at that time in the colonial era. The Belgians gazetted this land to protect the various species of wildlife and the rare magnificent tropical rainforests. The national park formally covered a vast area accounting for an area of approximately 2500 square kilometres. However, as time went by, people started cutting down forests to form their settlements and acquire land for agricultural purposes especially subsistence farming and grazing since most of the inhabitants were cattle keepers.

This national park was also famous in the early 1930s due to the large population of African wild dogs that inhabited it and this has attracted visitors from all corners of the world to come and have inclined experiences in this beautiful land.

Home to the big 5 animals.

Akagera National Park stands out because it is the only place in Rwanda where visitors get to view the big 5 animals that is to say the lions, leopards, buffaloes, African elephants and Rhinos. Trophy hunters especially from Europe and America flocked to the country to hunt down animals which was an exciting game back then. These animals were named Big 5 because of the hardships encountered while hunting them down and it was very hard to get a catch of them. Once hunted down, the hunter would pride himself on such an act and also take pictures for remembrance. It is important to note that trophy hunting is now illegal in Akagera National Park and if caught one could face charges or even life imprisonment at the hands of the courts in Rwanda and International conservation authorities.

The big 5 animals can be encountered during game drives that are conducted especially at dawn or dusk when most animals are hunting especially the cats but elephants and rhinos can be encountered most times of the day. It is therefore important to note that Akagera National Park is unique due to the big five animals that inhabit it.

18 Days East Africa Safari

Explore Uganda Safaris

TOP ACTIVITIES TO DO IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

These are conducted by professional guides who drive around visitors in 4-wheel drive cars that are well crafted for rough terrains. This allows visitors a chance to encounter wildlife in every corner of the national park with limited hardships. Game drives allow visitors a chance to see animals such as African bush elephants, common genets, serval genets, leopards and L’hoest’s.

Boat cruises are conducted in this national park on its magnificent water bodies and could go up to a whole day time starting at 7:30 a.m. up to approximately 4:30 p.m. This allows visitors to see animals that stay in the water especially hippos, crocodiles and other animals that come near the lake to cool themselves and also drink water, especially African buffaloes.

Bird watching can also be done in very different amicable spots in the national park for example during the boat cruises various species are seen at the lakes of Kivu, Ihema and Shakani. Some of the birds come on the lake to drink water others to just fly above the water and these incorporate African Fish Eagles, raptors, gillanago, red faced barbets, cranes and cinnamons.

is also carried out on the breathtaking lakes and rivers that pass through Akagera National Park. Fish species especially the Nile perch and tilapia are often caught since they inhabit lakes of Shakani and Kivu. This improves the experience tourists have in the national park.

 

These are conducted by professional guides and they take visitors through the tropical rainforests and other natural places that help them to relax and live in the moment.

These give visitors a glimpse into the life of the inhabitants of the areas surrounding Akagera. The Batwa people have lived in this area for centuries dating back to the times of Bantu migrations and a visit mixed with interactions with such a community doesn’t leave the tourists the same. A lot is learned and shared.

. There are numerous camping sites in the National Park and these provide loveable moments to visitors and help them connect with nature as they sleep in the wilderness. Campsites encompass Shakani, Mutumba, Muyambi to mention but a few.

ATTRACTIONS IN AKAGERA

The park is home to over 800 species of wildlife and these include; Oribis, serval, mongoose species, impala, bohor, hyenas, klipspringers, elands, antelopes and zebras. They can be encountered during game drives in the National Park.

The National Park has picturesque water bodies in it and these are grounds for fishing and boat cruises which incorporate lakes of Ihema, Shakani, Rwanyakazinga, Gishanju and Mihindi.

HOW TO GET TO AKAGERA

The national park can be accessed even from other East African countries, from Uganda – Kampala it is approximately 441.6 kilometres which accounts for about an 8 hour and 10 minutes’ drive. From Kigali, it is just a two hour and 30 minutes’ drive through the restful towns of Rwamagana to Kayonza, Kabarondo and eventually Rwinkwanvu.

Akagera National Park can be visited all year around although the dry seasons of January to February and June to September provide far much better experiences due to the good roads and favorable weather conditions.

F.A.Q.

There is no standard price for Uganda, Rwanda or Congo gorilla permit –each country has its rates. In Uganda, the charges vary depending on the visitor category. The foreign non-residents are charged USD 700 to have their gorilla permits booked, USD 600 for foreign residents and Ugandans (East Africa citizens) pay shs. 250,000 per person. To have a gorilla permit secured/booked, you need USD 1500 for Rwanda and this is most ideal for luxury/high-end travelers interested in visiting the endangered mountain gorillas.

When booking a gorilla permit, it is also a good thing to have a destination of your desire in mind. The key places to consider a must-visit on gorilla tour include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park –these are gorilla trekking destinations for tourists on a tour in Uganda. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is where you can locate habituated mountain gorilla families and crossing the D.R. Congo, you can explore Virunga National Park.

It is a good thing to also understand when best to book your gorilla permits to avoid having issues on actual date of gorilla trekking. Considering our experience, we always recommend our clients to have their permits booked early enough at least 2-4 months. This can save you from last minute stress, especially if you plan to travel during the dry season also considered to be the peak season. The peak months of the year fall around June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.

Gorilla permits are among the relevant documents visitors must have to be allowed to track gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not any gorilla permit should be presented on actual gorilla trekking adventure but a valid one. Booking gorilla permits is part of making the entire gorilla trip complete and should be done early enough before the actual visit to see mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

To have your gorilla permit booked, there is a process one should undergo through and is generally tedious. Considering your tight schedule back home, you may wonder how easier you can have your permit booked in advance to avoid last minute stress.

The easiest way to secure your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is by dealing with a recognized tour operator/company on the ground. This is where our reservation team comes in. As part of your gorilla safari requirement, our team being on ground will ensure that your permit is booked early enough and everything else that is needed for gorilla trekking is put together.

The beauty about dealing with local safari company such as ours is that we have knowledge on the different gorilla groups and surrounding communities plus various accommodation facilities for your night stay. This is in addition to making the entire gorilla permit booking process easier on behalf of our clients.

There is also an option of booking the permit directly through the reservation team of respective park authorities. But the challenge is that you must undergo through the long process to have your permit booked and this may not favor you depending on your schedule. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an organ in charge not only for conservation of wildlife in the Pearl of Africa but also sets prices for tourism activities in the parks including gorilla permits. In Rwanda, you can contact Rwanda Tourism Board/Rwanda Development Board to have your permit booked.

The East African tourist visa is a joint visa that permits one to travel to specific countries within East Africa, namely Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. A joint tourist visa can be used several times for various purposes as long as it’s not overdue. 

Tourists should therefore find it important to always remember that the tourist visa lasts for only 90 days.  Processing the tourist visa takes a maximum period of two working days. It is also important to note that the tourist visa prohibits employment.

The process of applying for a tourist visa has been made easier since it can be done with the help of a tour operator or by the individual themselves online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs immigration portal. Visitors are required to log in to the portal, go ahead and accept the terms and conditions for the tourist visa, select the Visa / permit type, the subcategory and category, complete the application form and upload the required documents. 

A reference number will be generated and sent to you through your email, submit it and proceed to payment. It’s important to note that the payment can be made using Visa cards.  An approval letter will be sent to your email after the above process.

Report at the immigration office or border post for the biometric capture with all the necessary documents, receipt of payment, approval letter and your passport. Visitors should regard it as important to enter through the home country issuing the visa.

The East African tourist visa costs a fee of $100 only, meaning that it can be obtained by all travelers ranging from the budget to luxurious ones.

  • Persons aged 15 years and above are allowed to trek gorillas.
  • Avoid sneezing in the presence of gorillas.
  • Always stay away from gorillas by observing distance
  • Do not try to feed gorillas
  • Do not chew in the presence of gorillas
  • Do not take photos with flash light on.