Game Drives in Akagera National Park (Wildlife Viewing in Rwanda)

Game Drives in Akagera National Park are an incredible way to discover the Rwanda’s Savanna wildlife species. Akagera National Park, located in the eastern part of Rwanda along the Border with Tanzania, is the only savanna National Park in Rwanda, making it a prime location for Rwanda wildlife Safaris. Just like all other top wildlife viewing National Parks in Africa, Game drives in Akagera National Park are the best way to explore the National Park and spot wildlife during a Rwanda safari Tour. Game drives in Akagera National Park involve boarding a customized 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and clear windows for viewing wildlife.

During the game drives, visitors are driven following different wildlife trails searching for different wildlife species that call this place home. Akagera National Park is known for its growing wildlife numbers with up to 13, 000 animals found in the park. For big Game lovers, game drives in Akagera National Park will allow you to witness the iconic African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant).

Besides its, wildlife, this National Park also boasts an incredible array of birdlife, approximately 500 bird species have been registered within the park’s borders. Akagera also hosts one of the largest protected wetlands in Central – East Africa. Game drives in Akagera National Park are the best way to explore the parks’ wilderness and it has become a must-do activity for visitors seeking authentic African safari and experiences in Rwanda, especially for wildlife lovers. Discover Rwanda’s wildlife, visit the Akagera National Park, and enjoy a number of safari activities like game drives, boat trips, and guided nature walks that all allow you to witness the different wildlife species in the park.

About Akagera National Park: History, Facts, & Attractions

Spanning about 1,122 square kilometers (433 square miles) in the Eastern part of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park remains one of the most functional ecological areas in Rwanda. The National Park is characterized by its diverse landscapes, including savannah, montane forests, and extensive wetlands. Akagera National Park was established in 1934 by the then colonial government of Belgium with the aim of protecting the wildlife in the region.  It was named after the Kagera River that flows in the eastern part of the park and pours its waters into Lake Ihema and several other small lakes in the area. About a third of the park is covered by lakes and papyrus swamps, making it the largest protected wetland in Eastern-Central Africa.

Akagera used to be a rich home for wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffalo). However, the devastation caused by the human-wildlife conflicts, poaching, and the Rwanda genocide of 1994 led to a decline in the wildlife numbers in the park. By the late 20th century, the wildlife population in Akagera National Park had reduced drastically, and some species were extinct. The once commonly sighted species like the African wild dogs were no more, and the last one of them was seen in 1984, more than 50 rhinos that once lived here were no more, with the last one of them sighted in 2007.

This sound really devastating, but thanks to combined conservation efforts, Akagera National Park has reintroduced a number of wildlife species, including the iconic African Big Five. Up to 13,000 animals as of today live in the park with about 130 elephants, about 60 lions are also believed to live within the park boundaries, and the reintroduction of Rhinos from South Africa in 2017 has made sighting the African Big Five here possible.

Tourism in Akagera National Park

As of today, Akagera National Park has become one of the fastest-growing wildlife viewing destinations offering a range of activities for visitors, including game drives, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, bird watching (with over 520 species recorded), and night drives to observe nocturnal wildlife. The partnership between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the African Parks has helped to enhance security measures and promote sustainable tourism creating a safe haven for different wildlife species. Talking about Tourism in Akagera National Park; the number of visitors grew from 8,000 visitors in 2010 to over 34,000 by 2022 and the numbers are expected to increase even more.

For visitors looking for a less congested wildlife viewing experience in Africa, Akagera offers an off-the-beaten-track experience compared to its counterparts like Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Masai Mara in Kenya. If you’re looking for solitude and a one-on-one classic wildlife safari experience in Africa, Akagera National Park in Rwanda is the perfect place to visit.

Game Drive adventures in Akagera National Park: Types of game drives in Akagera National Park

There are both day and night Game Drives in Akagera National Park; however, each game drive offers a remarkable wildlife sightseeing experience. Visitors can explore the park’s rich biodiversity, including the Big Five, while also spotting various antelope species and other wildlife in their natural habitats on a wildlife safari drive/Game drives in Akagera National Park. Here we break down game drive experiences in Rwanda, their prices, the time of day when they are conducted, and their duration.

There are three game drive types on offer in Akagera;

Morning Game Drive: The morning game drives are the most popular on most safari itineraries to Rwanda and other wildlife safari destination in East Africa. The morning game drives in Akagera National Park start at around 6:30 AM and end by 11:30 AM. Most tour operators and visitors prefer the morning game drives since they offer an opportunity for visitors to witness wildlife at their most active hours of the day. The morning hours are usually cooler compared to the evening and noon hours – this allows wildlife to roam freely in the savannas looking for food. By noon, some animals are likely to hide in the bushes or under trees where there is shade.

Afternoon Game Drive: The other type of game drives that can be done during day in Akagera National Park is the afternoon game drives. Although typically these hours are hot, you can still spot wildlife in the park. The afternoon gam drives in Akagera National Park run from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. These Afternoon game drives usually focus on specific wildlife hotspots, especially water holes where animals usually gather to take water especially during the dry season.

Night Game Drive: The night game drives in Akagera National Park are conducted from 5:30 PM to around 8:30 PM. The night game drive experience usually focuses on the southern sector of the park that hosts a larger number of nocturnal animals. Wildlife spotting is done with the help of spotlight torches.

Game drive Experience in Akagera: What visitors can expect to see

During game viewing safaris in Akagera National Park, visitors can expect to encounter different wildlife species, including the Big Five (African elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and black rhinos), mammal grazers, including giraffes, zebras, various antelope species (like impalas and topis), hippos, and crocodiles. Besides sighting wildlife, you’ll also spot different bird species, including the rare shoebill stork and various raptors.

Our Rwanda wildlife safaris allow visitors to embark on Game drives during visits to  Akagera in comfortable 4×4 safari jeeps & land cruisers. The activity is usually conducted by professional & knowledgeable guides from the Akagera Management Company (AMC).

How much does it cost to see wildlife in Akagera National Pak?  Prices of Game Drives in Akagera

The prices of game drives in Akagera National Park vary depending on the type of game drive you are looking forward to doing. Here are the three game drive types in Akagera National Park and their prices;

Half-Day Game Drive (5 hours) it can be either morning (6:30 AM to 11:30 AM) or afternoon game drive (1:00 PM to 6 :00 PM): Costs about $180 per person/day.

Full-Day Game Drive (11.5 hours) the full day game drive combines a morning game drive and the afternoon game drive: Costs about $280 per person/day.

Night Game Drive (2.5 hours) start at 5:30 PM and ends at 8:30 PM: Costs about $40 for adults and $25 for children aged 6-12.

There is also another option for visitors who hate scheduless; you can hire a professional ranger guide and embark on a self drive safari in the park.

When to Visit Akagera National Park: Best Times for Wildlife Viewing in Rwanda

Although Rwanda in general is a superb safari destination all year round, some month of the year are more preferred for wildlife viewing or Game drives in Akagera National Park compared to the others. Some months offer ideal weather and climate for wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park. The dry season is considered the best time for Game drives in Akagera and perhaps the best time to visit East Africa in general. There are two dry seasons in Rwanda, the long dry season, which lasts between June and October, and the short dry season that lasts between December and February. During these months, the routes in the park are very easy to navigate, and the vegetation is less thick, allowing you to spot wildlife easily even at a distance.

You can however visit Akagera at any time of the year since wildlife can be seen all year round.

The best hours of the day for game drives in Akagera National Park are early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler, and animals are more active. During these periods, visitors have a higher chance of witnessing hunting behaviors of top predators like lions and leopards.