Enjoy game drives in Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. Akagera National Park is one of Rwanda’s biggest national parks and undoubtedly one of the most popular tourism destinations in the same country. The park is also the largest protected wetland on the African continent. Situated in the eastern part of the country, Akagera National Park borders Tanzania in the North and covers about 1,122 square kilometers making it the largest protected area in Rwanda. The scenic park was initiated in 1934 to protect animals and the lush vegetation to be made the most of.
Regardless of its small size, Akagera National Park is one of the finest spots for unforgettable wildlife experiences. Wildlife tourism activities like game drives are the most popular activities visitors engage in while at Akagera. Depending on the visitors’ choice, game drives can be conducted during the day and night.
Akagera National Park traces its name from the Akagera River which flows through the park and is home to several other sea mammals. Regardless of Akagera National Park’s small size, the park is dominated by mostly savannah land, woodland, forests, grasslands, and wetlands. These different ecosystems act as natural habitats of the harbored wildlife species. There are about 120 different mammal species in Akagera including the Big Five mammals like elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes. Being the most diverse park in Africa, Akagera National Park offers the most unforgettable wildlife experience.
Several primate species can be spotted and tracked at Akagera and these may include vervet monkeys and olive baboons. Bushbucks, impalas, antelopes, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, and topis are more of the mammal species sheltered in the same park. It’s worth noting that Akagera National Park is also a birder’s paradise with about 500 different bird species including the migratory birds from Europe.
Game drives, how they are done, and what to see
Nocturnal animal species can be spotted during the night game drives making the whole game drive experience in Akagera an exceptional one. Some of the nocturnal animals may include civets, night jars, and bush babies. Antelopes, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, and hippos are some of the mammal species that can be sighted during the day game drives.
Animals are mostly active during morning and late evening hours and this is when game drives are conducted. They are done in safe open vehicles and slowly and quietly. This enables visitors to have the most unforgettable wildlife experience. Visitors can also engage in birding activities while on their game drives as there are over 500 bird species in the park.
Best season to do game drives in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera National Park can be done throughout the whole year. Though drier seasons give the most unforgettable game drive experience. This is because of easy access of vehicles through the trails that would be muddy during the rainy wet season and also visibility of the wildlife is made easier. Routes and trails are parched during the dry period of June to September. This makes it easier for vehicles to navigate through and have the best game drive experience.
The comfortable favorable weather during the dry season with mild temperatures of about 20°-25° makes it super comfy for game drivers. Another advantage of game driving during the dry period is that visitors get to have the most spectacular views of the wildlife. This is because the animals tend to congregate on the only remaining water sources to quench up thirst. Hence enabling game drivers to throw a glance and take some memorable shots.
How much are game drives in Akagera National Park?
The price of game driving in Akagera varies depending on which session a visitor would like to partake in and get engaged in this thrilling tourism activity. Night game drives are such a whole vibe and yes, somehow they give the most remarkable game drive experience. Night game drives take about 2-5 hours and cost about USD 40.
Children between the ages of 6-12 years of age can also engage in this exciting session at about USD 25 per head. Day game drives are unexpectedly costly yet worth it. Each visitor can be charged about USD 280 for a full-day game drive and 180 USD for a day game drive of about 5 hours.
