Akagera Game Drive; These is the main attraction to the park and you can be part of an organized safari with a drier and a guide or you can get more adventurous and then drive yourself in your own vehicle. The EAC /Rwandan registered cars at $7 and $25 for the foreign registered cars plus double for the safari vehicles or the buses. By driving yourself, it will be more fun but you will not know where to look for the animals from and this might be more annoying.
The game drives in Akagera offer three thrilling sessions: the morning half-day game drive, the afternoon game drive, and the night game drive. Begin your day with the morning game drive, starting from 6:30 am and concluding at 11:30 am. This early start provides the best opportunity to witness the incredible wildlife in action, with a 99% chance of encountering zebras, buffalos, and elephants. The afternoon game drive, from 12 pm to 5 pm, allows you to continue your wildlife-viewing adventure in the heart of Akagera National Park. As the day transitions into evening, the night drives commence at 5:30 pm, providing a unique opportunity to observe the park’s nocturnal creatures until around 8 pm to 8:30 pm.
To ensure a safe experience, it is essential for visitors to remain within the game drive vehicles throughout the duration of the excursion. This precautionary measure minimizes the risk of potential attacks from the park’s fierce animals, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring wildlife-viewing experience.
Lucky visitors can encounter elusive leopards during their game drives, adding to the excitement of their wildlife-viewing adventure. Keep a watchful eye for hippos, as observing them rushing to find hiding spots can be quite captivating. As the sun rises and bathes the roadside plains of the savannah in its golden glow, breathtaking views of antelopes, including the elegant impala and majestic elands, grace the landscape. The lush green acacia woodlands surrounding the lakes teem with a diverse array of wildlife, including the rare species of eland, the largest antelope in Africa, as well as graceful giraffes, majestic elephants, formidable buffalos, elegant topis, reedbucks, waterbucks, and the beautiful zebras.
This extraordinary wilderness of Akagera National Park offers an unparalleled African safari experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. At Universal Ventures Rwanda, you can embark on an adventure to spot the iconic Big Five animals, immersing yourself in the wonders of this remarkable national park.
There are a plethora of activities to partake in while exploring Akagera National Park. In addition to game drives, you can indulge in birding, nature walks, boat cruises, sports, fishing, and cultural encounters. Engaging in these diverse activities will provide you with an amazing experience, allowing you to witness the park’s abundant species. However, among the various activities available, game drives offer a wider range of exploration, allowing you to encounter a multitude of animal species. Unlike some activities that confine you to a specific area, game drives enable you to traverse the entire park, providing a comprehensive view of its diverse wildlife.
Experience the following types of game drives within Akagera National Park:
Morning Game Drive: Start your day early and embark on a captivating morning game drive, where the chances of spotting zebras, buffalos, and elephants are exceptionally high.
Afternoon Game Drive: Take an afternoon game drive, immersing yourself in the captivating sights and sounds of the park’s wildlife as the day unfolds.
Night Game Drive: Embark on a thrilling night game drive, venturing into the darkness to observe the park’s nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.
By participating in these varied game drives, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the remarkable diversity of wildlife that thrives within Akagera National Park.
Morning game drive
During the morning game drives in Akagera National Park, you will have the opportunity to witness a myriad of herbivores roaming the park’s vast landscape. Prepare to be enthralled by the sight of zebras, impalas, topis, bushbucks, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and many other herbivores as they graze and traverse the park. As you embark on these early morning adventures, the park’s avian inhabitants will also captivate your attention. Near the swamps and lakes such as Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani, you will be treated to sightings of diverse bird species. Keep an eye out for magnificent African fish eagles, elegant open-billed storks, and a myriad of other avian wonders, adding a delightful touch to your game drives.
By joining the morning game drives in Akagera National Park, you will be immersed in a world teeming with incredible herbivores and a vibrant avian population, creating unforgettable moments of wildlife observation and appreciation.
Nocturnal Game Drives: Experience the thrill of nocturnal game drives, where you have the chance to encounter animal species that are often missed during morning drives. Some animals hide or rest during the morning, as they spend their nights hunting for prey. The nocturnal game drives are divided into two shifts, allowing a greater number of tourists to participate in this amazing adventure of witnessing the park come to life after dark.
Night Game Drives: Embark on captivating night game drives to witness the carnivores of the park, particularly the majestic big cats such as lions and leopards, as they hunt for their dinner. Other animal species you can spot include impalas, topis, and bushbucks, which are often targeted prey for the big cats. The night drives offer a unique opportunity to see a multitude of animals in the park, as many of them are resting during this time. With the aid of spotlights, you can clearly observe the animals in their natural habitats. For an enhanced experience, consider hiring a knowledgeable guide who can provide in-depth information about the park’s diverse animal species for a small fee of 40 USD.
For an exclusive adventure, indulge in the luxurious Ruzizi Tented Lodge, offering stylish safari tents situated in a stunning lakeside setting within the park. Alternatively, Akagera Game Lodge overlooks Ihema Crater Lake and provides a true paradise experience with 60 self-contained rooms featuring unique designs, comfort, and top-notch amenities. Camping sites are also available within Akagera National Park for those seeking a closer connection to nature.
Located in northeastern Rwanda, along the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park was founded in 1934. It takes approximately 2½ hours to drive from Kigali to Akagera, and a 4WD vehicle with high clearance is essential for exploring the park’s vast network of dirt roads. Although there are no domestic flights to Akagera, Akagera Aviation offers charter helicopter transfers throughout the country, with a 22-minute flight from Kigali to Akagera NP.
To facilitate your visit, please visit the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration website (https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=28) to access the visa application form and provide your personal information. Depending on your travel plans, choose the best visa option available, such as a single-entry visa for 30 days at 50 USD, a 3-day transit visa for temporary stays, or an East African Tourists Visa, granting access to multiple East African countries at 100 USD. Ensure to attach the necessary supporting documents, such as your tour itinerary, invitation letter, or flight details in PDF format for successful visa processing.
For safari enthusiasts, it’s important to be aware of the park fees and prices. The park entrance fee is 50 USD per day per person. If opting for game drives, freelance guides or park guides are available at a cost of 25 USD for a half-day safari and 40 USD for a full-day excursion. Hiring a guide is highly recommended as they possess valuable knowledge of animal locations and behaviors during game drives.
