Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s biggest and only savannah protected area, making it the only park where night game drives can be done in the country. It is located in the eastern region of the country, bordering Tanzania. Spanning over 1,122 square kilometers of lush, vast savannah plains and wilderness, Akagera National Park stands as one of the oldest destinations in Africa, having been established in 1934. Akagera National Park gets its name from the River Kagera, which flows through the park to Lake Ihema and is a lifeline to many animals here.
About night game drives in Akagera National Park.
Night game drives in Akagera National Park involve encountering wildlife in the comfort and safety of your safari vehicle at night while using a spotlight to view the nocturnal species in the park. Akagera National Park night game drives offer visitors an incredible encounter with nocturnal wildlife species in the park. For visitors who want an action-packed wildlife encounter, Akagera National Park offers the best night game drive adventures.
Various wildlife species, like apex predators, lions, and leopards, use the cover of darkness as their favorite hunting time. This is because they have excellent night vision, enabling them to spot prey before it can even flee. Visitors can enjoy the calls of nature from animals like the lions as they roar to announce their rule to rivals. The cool temperatures at night ensure that you enjoy your game drive, unlike extreme heat temperatures that interrupt the experience. Night game drives also present visitors with a great chance to spot more wildlife species, as most animals come out of hiding during the day from the heat.
When do night game drives begin?
Night game drives begin at 7:00 pm every day for visitors staying inside Akagera National Park. These night game drives always begin at the cover of the darkest hour, as it is the best time to unveil the hidden nocturnal life of Akagera National Park. These night game drives in Akagera National Park take place in the southern region of the park. The night game drive lasts between 2 and -3 hours.
How much do night game drives in Akagera National Park cost?
The night game drive in Akagera National Park costs USD 40 per person. The exciting night game drives in Akagera National Park come at a slightly high cost, which every visitor must pay before engaging in this adventure. The money collected from the costs of these night game drives in the park goes to conservation efforts and also to developing the neighboring communities.
What is the best time to have a night game drive?
The best time to enjoy an incredible night game drive in the park is during the dry season. This season is characterized by little or no rainfall and extremely dry weather conditions. The country’s proximity to the equator earns it an equatorial type of climate, which is characterized by two wet and dry seasons annually.
The dry season runs from June to September and from December to February. During this time, the trails for night game drives in the park are dry, which eases navigability, and also the vegetation is sparse,e aiding the visibility of most of the wildlife. This is contrary to what it may be during the wet seas,n when the trails are muddy and slippery, hindering proper navigation due to the heavy rains received and also the dense vegetation that hides the wildlife and hinders visibility.
What else can I do in Akagera National Park?
Akagera National Park is not only about night game drives but also other incredibly exciting activities that can fit any visitor’s bucket list. The other activities to do in Akagera National Park include the following.
Game drives in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera National Park begin early in the morning in pursuit of leopards, hyenas, and the reintroduced lions. This is because predators prefer to hunt at night or early in the morning and typically go into hiding when the sun heats up. Along with the predators, take in the surroundings and other large creatures such as elephants, buffalo, antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. The environment and magnificent wildflowers will provide superb photographic opportunities for the interested photographer.
Park officials also conduct night game drives. These typically run for around 2 hours, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at about 8.30 p.m. You will have a flashlight to assist you in viewing the many nocturnal wildlife. You could get a chance to see leopards or lions while they hunt.
Bird-watching in Akagera National Park.
In Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a renowned and important birding destination. Bird watchers will enjoy visiting Akagera National Park since it allows them to see both endangered bird species, such as the papyrus gonolek and the shoebill, as well as more common species, such as weavers, egrets, and various Kingfishers.
Cultural excursions in the vicinity of Akagera National Park
Experience rural Rwandan life near Akagera National Park’s cattle herding settlements. You may see and/or participate in traditional cow grazing, milking, and milk storage in calabashes for preservation. You next go through the process of transforming milk into various products, such as traditional yogurt and ghee, and finally participate in the preparation of a dinner using some of the milk products’ ingredients. This eventually benefits conservation culture and the park’s wild creatures.
Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
Your private guide will bring you to the jetty, where you will meet an Akagera National Park guide who will accompany you throughout the boat tour on Lake Ihema. Before you get on the water, the guide will provide a safety briefing and thorough training. In addition, your guide will carry a cooler box with drinking water and soft drinks. Lake Ihema has a lot of water hyacinth, which is one of the lake’s biggest dangers. The presence of water hyacinth in the lake endangers the lives of numerous aquatic creatures and birds. The water hyacinth also has an impact on the ease of movement of boats on the lake, as well as the quality of the water.
Hiking and nature walk:
Tourists visiting the Akagera National Park can embark on guided nature walks and hiking, allowing them to view and explore the national park from a different point of view. Tourists also get a chance to get close to the tree species, butterflies, and other animal species that they might have missed during a game drive.
Fishing expeditions:
Fishing in Akagera National Park is usually carried out along Lake Shakani, which is famous for having fish species like catfish and Tilapia. When you are planning to go fishing on Akagera, you have to carry personal fishing equipment, and it is always catch and release while on the Lake.
Where to Sleep, Eat, and Drink During Things to Do in Akagera National Park?
Accommodation options enhance multi-day things to do in Akagera National Park, with choices ranging from budget to luxury. Akagera Game Lodge offers mid-range comfort for visitors enjoying things to do in Akagera National Park, featuring a swimming pool, restaurant, and stunning views. Budget travelers can experience things to do in Akagera National Park while staying at the park’s campsite, providing basic amenities and an immersive natural experience under canvas.
Luxury seekers find Magashi Camp ideal for exclusive things to do in Akagera National Park, offering six spacious tents overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga. This property elevates the experience of things to do in Akagera National Park with gourmet dining, expert guides, and elegant furnishings. The camp’s location provides immediate access to premium things to do in Akagera National Park, like exclusive game viewing areas and specialized wildlife experiences.
Most Popular Rwanda Safari
2-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
2-Day Akagera National Park Wildlife Safari
3-Day Akagera National Park and Lake Kivu Safari
3-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
4-Day Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda
5-Day Chimpanzee Trekking in Rwanda & Lake Kivu Safari
7-Day Rwanda Primates and Game Drive Safari
How To Get To Akagera National Park
You may travel from Kigali to Akagera National Park through Rwamagana town (entry is only through the southern gate. The travel to the park entrance takes around 2 hours. Those who do not want to drive for two hours can fly to the park utilizing the services of Akagera Aviation.
