Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Akagera National park is located in the north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. It was named after the Akagera River which flows along its eastern boundary; and it feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combined in a relatively small area make Akagera National park. It covers 1, 2000 km in eastern Rwanda,

Akagera National Park was formed in 1934 to protect animals and vegetation in there ecoregions; savannah, mountain and swamp. Due to the land shortages in 1997, the western boundary was re-gazetted. Much of the land allocated as farms to returning refugees. Akagera National Park was also reduced to size from over 2500km2 to its current size.

The wildlife species in Akagera National park also include; elephants, zebras, buffalos, giraffes, various species of antelopes, crocodiles and the hippos. However the fate of the park’s few remaining lions is uncertain and while the leopards are certainly around. Bird life in Akagera is however outstanding, with 550 species recorded with many rare specials, including a good density or raptors and good numbers of large water birds around the lakes.