IMPORTANT THINGS TO SEE IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera National Park is strategically situated at the boarder of Tanzania. It is approximately 1 hour drive from Kigali city of Rwanda and the smallest National Park in Rwanda. It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The rolling hills of Acacia and Brachystegia Woodland coupled with scattered grassland and swamp-fringed lakes along the meandering Akagera watercourse combine to create a park of breathtaking scenic beauty.

In 1934, Akagera is among the first National parks gazetted in Africa and ranked among the world Heritage sites by UNESCO. Below are some of the things to be seen in Akagera National Park:

WILD ANIMALS

Akagera hosts the most wild animals of Rwanda. Guided game drives can expose visitors to many animals up close. Animals like herds of buffalo and impala, zebra and topi are commonly seen. Smaller antelope such as oribi, klip springer, bush buck and reed buck exist widely throughout the park, eland, oribi, blck Rhinos, lions, Defassa water buck, reed buck, bush buck, sable and roan antelope also present. Burchall's zebra, hippo and crocodile are commonly seen whilst game viewing; buffalo are more prevalent in the north as are elephants, although more restricted.  There is an estimated population of over 100 elephants and a similar number of giraffe among others. The savanna grass helps visitors to clearly view and take photos of the animals, birds, relief and many more.

BIRDS

The park is among the best birding site in Rwanda. More birds are found lingering at the shores of the lake. Rare birds like the shoe-bill and the papyrus gonolek – two of many bird species, which make Akagera a haven for bird enthusiasts. Over 480 bird species attracted by its diverse habitat. Savannah birds and raptors are prevalent and several endemic species such as the red-faced barbet, African fish eagles, marabou stork, crowned cranes, open-billed stork, cormorants, herons and egrets. Lucky visitors can see the rare shoebill stork.

VEGETATION

Amazing Savanna Vegetation, savannah is a grassland ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. Savanna vegetation enables visitors to clearly view and take photos of the wildlife and relief. Savannas are also characterised by seasonal water availability, with the majority of rainfall confined to one season; they are associated with several types of biomes, and are frequently in a transitional zone between forest and desert or grassland. Savanna covers approximately 20% of the Earth's land area.

WATER BODIES

Drainage features like Lake Ihema and River Akagera. Many visitors move to Akagera National Park to keep an eye at the Lake Ihema- the largest Lake in the park. The rolling hills of Acacia and Brachystegia Woodland coupled with scattered grassland and swamp-fringed lakes along the meandering Akagera watercourse combine to create a park of breathtaking scenic beauty.