Which national park in Rwanda has the Big 5 animals?

Which national park in Rwanda has the Big 5 animals? Rwanda is one of the top tourist destinations in East Africa and these five fiercest wildlife of all can only be sighted in one of its famous national parks known as Akagera National park. This is where visitors get to learn more about their behaviors and the way they socialize with other animals in the wild. Akagera national park is a perfect destination to go when on Rwanda wildlife adventure safari, the park is famously known for having inhabits a numerous number of wildlife and more amazing is the Big 5 African animals such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceros. Akagera national park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda located in the eastern province of the country bordering Tanzania. Akagera was gazetted as was declared as Rwanda’s protected area in 1932 and the area covers approximately 1,089 square kilometers. The park got its name Akagera from Akagera River which is the park’s main source of waters for both animals, people as well as plants.

The is comprised of several fresh water bodies, woodland, wetland and Savannah which provide shelter and drinking water to a number of other specie mammals so putting the big five safaris in Akagera National park aside, the park also offers stunning wildlife views and a number of other mammal species including the Olive baboon, Warthog, Masai giraffe, Vervet monkeys and Burchell’s zebras

It should be noted that originally Rwanda didn’t host the Big five animals at all but this happened after its strong collaboration and relationships with other countries. In the 1994 during the horrible Rwandan genocide, a big number of part of the big five animals were killed including over 300 lions in number which left the country with limited to no big five animals at all.

Important still, currently in 2015 Rwanda in collaboration with South Africa through their partnership with one of its non-profit organizations, relocated 2 male lions and 5 female lions to Akagera national park which later led to the introduction of lion species in the country.  

In addition to the big 5 amazing species, just in a recent in 2019, the Czech Republic due to its strong cooperation and strong ties with Rwanda relocated about 5 black rhinos that included 3 females and 2 males to Akagera National Park which led to the introduction of rhino species in the country hence boosting the more tourist in the country. Visitors will sight the big five animals including the Rhinos, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and Elephants during their engagement in several tourist activities in the park and the whole feeling is just an awesome and unforgettable one.

Others interesting activity at Akagera national park

Bird watching

Akagera is one of the ideal spots for birding activities in Rwanda with over 500 different savannah bird species including egrets, swamp fly catchers, red faced barbets, marabou stocks, the famous rare shoe bills, Brown-throated Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek, White-Winged Swamp Warbler, Carruthers’ Cisticola, White-collared Oliveback, Bare face-Go-Away bird, African fish Eagle, Black-headed Gonolek, Fork-tailed Drano and Grey-crowned Cranes Shouldered robin-chat, Grasshopper buzzard among others

Sport fishing

Sport fishing in Akagera national park is only carried out in lakes Shakani. The lakes is located on the northeastern side of Akagera national park headquarters on the edge of the southern sector of the park. Sport fishing on Lake Shakani gives you an opportunity to encounter some water animals, birds and catch some of the fish species like tilapia and catfish.

Camping

Camping is a famous activity carried out in Akagera national park. Akagera National Park is home to three major camping areas where visitors can pitch a tent for the night such as Mutumba, Shakani, and Muyumbu. The camps offers a remarkable views of various flora and fauna which are located throughout the park. Camping tents can be rented at the park’s headquarters at any time, and whichever campground you end up choosing will also supply you with firewood to keep you toasty at night.

Boat cruise at Lake Ihema

Boat cruise in Akagera national park is an interesting activity that is done on Ihema which is the famous and biggest lake situated in the south part of the park. Boat ride in Akagera is done in different schedules, the day trip that is the morning and the evening schedule. During the boat ride you will be able to see large school of hippos and crocodiles in the waters, see other animals like buffaloes, waterbucks, elephant, and warthog’s drinking water at the shores, among others. Boat rides in the lakes normally done in scheduled times, that to say morning and evening offering 2-3 hours with opportunities of meeting different water animals and bird species.

Community visit around Akagera national park

There are several communities around Akagera national park where tourists can go and interact with the local people. While on Rwanda cultural tours in any of the village around Akagera national park for instance Humure Refuge Village where most of the people are cattle keepers. A visit on a cultural tour in this village will give you an opportunity to interact with these people, know how they live their life, watch them do day to day activities, be part of food preparation, taste their local foods and drinks, visit local art and craft shops, and in the end get entertainment from traditional dancers.

Accommodation facilities in Akagera national park

Akagera national park has a wide range of accommodation options ranging from budget, mid-range, and luxury options with more comfortable stay. Visitors in Rwanda wildlife safari to Akagera always have no doubts on where to say, the park as got accommodations in and within he national park such as Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Akagera Bush Camp, Magashi Safari Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Tented Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Akagera Resort, and Country Club, Vintage Cottages, Nyagasambu Real Beach Hotel, Akagera Rhino Lodge among others.