Besides the normal wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park, Elephant tracking in Akagera National Park is another exciting experience that you should include in your bucket list when planning Rwanda Wildlife Tour/Rwanda wildlife safaris. Elephant tracking in Akagera with rangers is a tailored safari experience that focuses solely on tracking elephants in the park. Although elephants can be witnessed during the normal wildlife safaris in Akagera National Park, tracking them grants visitors an opportunity to view them even more closely. The African Elephant is a member of the African Big Five Animals, some of the most iconic wildlife that you must see while in Africa. As a result of past poaching and human wildlife conflict, the African Elephant became one of the most endangered species but thanks to continued conservation efforts in Rwanda, the Elephants in Akagera have seen a steady increase in their population in recent years.
Even during general wildlife safaris in Akagera, Elephant viewing is known for sparking excitement in travelers as watching these gentle giants roam and feed on the savannah plains is truly unforgettable. Discover Rwanda’s only savanna safari park, Akagera National Park (home to the African Big Five), and enjoy memorable safari experience in Rwanda. Explore the park and witness its incredible wildlife, landscapes, and bird life during Rwanda wildlife safari/Akagera Wildlife Safari.
In this article we discuss about Elephant tracking in Akagera National Park (Elephant Viewing in Akagera, Rwanda) – by the time you are done reading this article, you’ll be well versed with everything you need to know about elephant tracking in Akagera: the park’s history, how the elephants got there, the best time to visit, how tracking works, conservation efforts, and tips for planning your adventure.
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only Big Five safari destination. This National Park is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda along the international border with Tanzania. Akagera National Park spans over 1,122 square kilometers encompassing savanna, montane, and swamp habitats. The National Park derives its name from the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary pouring into Lake Ihema and several other smaller lakes around the area. Akagera also host the largest protected wetland in Eastern & Central Africa, thanks to its complex system of lakes and linking papyrus swamps.
This National Park was founded in 1934 by then the colonial Government (Belgian government). It used to cover over 2,500 km2 (970 sq mi) and hosted one of the largest populations of African Wild Dogs; however, a disease epidemic diminished the population and the last African Wild Dog was last sighted in 1984. In 1957 the black rhinos were introduced in Akagera and by 1970s, more than 50 individuals lived here. However, due to widespread poaching, the population declined over the years with the last one of them sighted in 2007. There was also an introduction of the Masai giraffe in 1986, as of today, their population is up to 78 individuals.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the African Parks Network entered into a 20-year renewable agreement for the joint management of Akagera National Park in 2009 and since then, the national park has reintroduced a number of wildlife species including the African elephants.
Today, Akagera National Park boasts diverse ecosystems—savannahs, swamps, woodlands, and lakes—making it a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and over 500 bird species.
About 25 years ago, the elephant population in Akagera National Park faced near extinction as a result of the devastation caused by poaching and human wildlife conflicts. The Rwanda genocide also contributed to the reduction in the elephant population in Akagera National Park as part of the land (about 2 thirds of the total land) was given to settlers. The refugees cleared the land for farming and grazing. Historically, elephants roamed freely across this region. In 1975, to restock the population, 26 elephants were translocated into the park from Bugesera.
Other conservation efforts like the joint conservation agreement between the African National Parks and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in 2009 has helped in protecting and reintroducing extinct species in the past years. Today Akagera National Park has transformed into a thriving, ecologically functional park in Rwanda – a prime location for wildlife safaris in Rwanda, especially for savanna wildlife species sightings. Over 13,000 wildlife species live in the park including the African Big Five ( lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, & Elephants). The elephant population in Akagera has seen remarkable increase in the recent years – a true testament to conservation.
Over 130 elephants as of today roam the Akagera plains and visitors can enjoy viewing them during wildlife drives in Akagera National Park. The elephant population in Akagera National Park comprises of adult bulls, breeding herds, and young calves, which have become symbolic of Akagera’s conservation success. During Elephant tracking in Akagera National Park (Elephant Viewing in Akagera, Rwanda)/ Elephant encounters in Akagera National Park, you’ll enjoy viewing the herds of these mammals as they graze across different parts of the park. Elephant encounter in Akagera guarantee excitement to each type of travelers and age.
Just like all other wildlife safari experiences in Akagera National Park, Elephant tracking in Akagera/ Elephant viewing in in Rwanda is done on customized safari vehicles. The visitors board the 4×4 Land Cruiser vehicle and drive through various safari tracks in the park looking for elephants and other wildlife. Unlike the general wildlife safari in Akagera that target all wildlife species, elephant tracking with rangers in Akagera focuses mainly on elephants. After locating elephant herds, visitors spend some time viewing them ad sometimes follow the herds as they roam the savannas.
Since Akagera National park is home to over 130 elephants, visitors usually get a chance to encounter various elephant hers and spend time observing them. Although even during general wildlife safari in Akagera you can spot elephant herds, elephant tracking allows you to witness these savanna giants and learn more about them.
It is easy to spot elephant in Akager National park at any time of the day, however, most game drives are usually conducted during the morning hours and the evening hours. Discover Rwanda’s conservation success, visit Akagera National Park that was once about to be no more – but as a result of combine efforts the national park as of today is flourishing as one of the the country’s functions ecological zones with incredible wildlife species.
Akagera National Park is a good safari destination all year round however, some months of the year are know to offer more ideal conditions for wildlife viewing. The dry season which is also considered as the high season for safaris in Akagera National Park is the best time for wildlife viewing the park. If you are looking forward to visiting Rwanda for Elephant tracking in Akagera National Park, the best time to track elephants in Akagera is during the dry seasons between June to September and December to February.
