Akagera National Park Fees 2024
Akagera National Park Fees 2024: Rwanda, often known as the “land of a thousand hills,” is a well-known travel destination with several national parks that are home to a wide variety of ecological systems and tourism attractions. The only national park in Rwanda dedicated to savannah is Akagera National Park.
The magnificent Akagera National Park is located in eastern Rwanda, close to Tanzania’s border. It spans 1,122 square kilometers and is primarily made up of montane forests, swamps, and savannah grasslands. The park gets its name from the Akagera River that flows through it. The largest protected wetlands in Eastern-Central Africa, the Akagera River flows along the park’s eastern edge and empties into Lake Ihema and a number of smaller lakes. The park is made up of a network of lakes and interconnecting papyrus swamps.
Historically, the Belgian government established Akagera National Park in 1934 with the intention of preserving the region’s biodiversity. The Belgians had previously called the area “parc aux Lycaons” due to the presence of a sizable population of African wild dogs there. The African wild dogs were viewed as pests by the Belgian government, but a sickness struck the region and killed off a large number of them.
The Akagera National Park is home to many animal species, including the Big Five, as well as bird species. The park’s diverse terrain and forest cover are what define its many areas. The Akagera River crosses the east region, which is home to a number of lakes, marshes, and papyrus swamps. The north region is dominated by relatively low-lying grasslands and savannah plains. The west region is a typical Rwandese country side, with undulating hills and valleys.
Mammals and primates are among the animals found in the well-known fauna and bird species that call Akagera National Park home. Giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, bush bucks, kobs, crocodiles, and many other animals are examples of mammals. Vervet monkeys and olive baboons are among the numerous primates found in Akagera National Park. With over 420 bird species, Akagera National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the black-headed gonolek, shoe bills, lilac-breasted rollers, crested barbets, grey hornbills, Ross’s turaco, heuglin’s robin-chat, kingfishers, bee-eaters, terns, ducks, barbets, shrikes, weavers, orioles, and numerous others.
Activities for safari in Akagera National Park
Game Drives
The park is the only national park in Rwanda that offers a game drive safari experience. There are three game drive sessions available, with the morning game drive being the best for spotting hunters and grazers and the afternoon and evening game drive being the best for spotting nocturnal animals. Game drives in the park are an enjoyable and memorable experience. Views of zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, bush bucks, elephants, defassa waterbucks, oribis, rhinos, reedbucks, roan antelopes, sable buffaloes, elands, vervet monkeys, warthogs, baboons, hippos, mongoose, crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, and many other animals can be seen during game drives through the park’s trails. Swamps and lakes are the greatest places to see animals in Akagera National Park because that’s when they come to drink water.
Birding
Around 480 different bird species may be found in Rwanda‘s Akagera National Park, which is home to lakes, woods, savannah woodlands, and wetlands. It is a popular destination for birdwatchers. Both migratory and resident species can be easily spotted in the park. Black-headed gonoleks, shoe bills, Fischer’s love bird, lilac-breasted rollers, crested barbets, grey hornbills, Ross’s turacos, Heuglin’s robin-chat, kingfishers, bee-eaters, terns, ducks, barbets, shrikes, weavers, orioles, and many more species can be seen during a birdwatching excursion.
Angling/Fishing
Fishing in the park is a fantastic activity that takes place along the beaches of Lake Shakani. As a freshwater lake that is home to several fish species, fishing in these waters is a great sport to participate in. You will head to the lake with your fishing gear and catch a variety of fish species, including tilapia, which will be stored for your lodge’s evening barbecue.
Boat ride
A boat ride around the park is a fantastic way to appreciate the lakes and get a close-up look at wildlife and birds. It’s like going on a safari. The park offers boat cruises on Lake Ihema, with departure times of 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. A boat ride lasts for around two to three hours, during which you can see a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, buffalo, and hippos, as well as a wide variety of birds, including kingfishers, fish eagles, egrets, hammerkops, shoebills, herons, malachite kingfishers, hawks, plovers, and many more. In addition to the wildlife and avian inhabitants, the boat ride offers visitors the refreshing lake breeze and breathtaking surroundings.
Camping
The park has three camping sites that can accommodate campers: Mayumba campsite, Mutamba Akagera campsite, and Shakani Akagera campsite. The park offers fantastic camping experiences to travelers that are interested in camping. Camping is a great way to see Akagera National Park’s nightlife. You can see creatures like hippos, elands, and roan antelopes at night, as well as enjoy views of Lake Shakani and Ihema and the sounds of numerous birds singing.
Cultural excursions
The greatest way to learn about Kinyarwanda customs, traditions, and other practices is to take one of the cultural tours offered by the park. These tours take you to a local community where you can observe how cattle are milked and preserved, as well as the customary attire and many other things. This tour also includes a visit to the Imigongo Art and Crafts Center, Rwanda‘s most well-known cultural attraction with stunning indigenous artwork and a variety of Rwandese cultural exhibitions.
How to reach the National Park of Akagera
This magnificent national park is located in Rwanda‘s northeast, 110 kilometers from Kigali, the country’s capital and popular tourist destination. Access to the park is made simple by well-maintained roads that connect the city to the park. It takes two to three hours to drive from Kigali to the park, and getting there may be accomplished by both public and private transportation.
Accommodations in the National Park of Akagera
The Akagera National area is home to numerous fantastic lodging options, such as Karenge Bushcamp Akagera and Akagera Game Lodge, that provide beds and additional services to visitors coming to the area for a safari experience.
If you’re interested in seeing the land of 1000 hills, you should put visiting Akagera National Park on your bucket list as 2023 comes to an end and make it one of your 2024 New Year’s plans. The big five animals of Rwanda can be observed during game drives at Akagera National place, which has made the place well-known to many tourists. You will be astounded by the variety of sights that you will see when you visit Akagera National Park and take part in its activities.
A few of the many activities you should not miss during your safari in Rwanda, especially in Akagera National Park, are boat rides on Lake Ihema, the country’s second-largest lake, which will provide you with breathtaking views of herbivores in the wild, such as elephants quenching their thirst from the water source; sunset viewing; observing various bird species, such as kingfishers catching their prey from the water source; and witnessing the endangered shoe bill stork, with its unique characteristics, in the wild. All of these activities make for an incredible safari experience. Additionally, you can stay at one of the many locations in the nature, such as Shakani campsite, and get the opportunity to witness some unusual creatures.
In order to make your safari experience unforgettable, travelers who like to partake in the park’s various activities can find that the rates shown below for each activity will make organizing their safari in the nation easier.
ENTRY FEES FOR PARK
| Entry fee/ self-drive permit | details | 1 day/Night | 2 Nights | 3 nights | |||
| Per person |
USD |
RWF |
USD |
RWF |
USD |
RWF |
|
|
Rwandan /EAC Citizen |
16 |
15,000 |
24 |
22,500 |
32 |
30,000 |
|
|
Rwandan/ EAC Resident |
50 |
75 |
100 |
||||
|
International visitor |
100 |
150 |
200 |
||||
|
Rwandan/EAC Citizen 6-12 |
11 |
10,000 |
16 |
15,000 |
21 |
20,000 |
|
| Rwandan/EAC resident 6-12 |
30 |
45 |
60 |
||||
| International visitor 6-12 |
50 |
|
75 |
100 |
|||
| Africans | 50 | 75 | 100 | ||||
It should be noted that paying park entry fees only grants you access to the park’s boundaries. If you would like to engage in various activities within Akagera National Park, you will need to pay the appropriate fees to do so.
For visitors who choose to drive themselves, there is a daily fee that must be paid for each car they use in the park.
| Other fees | Details | USD |
| Vehicle fees | Vehicle/ mini bus (Rwandan/ EAC registered) | 10 |
| Omnibus/ bus/ over lander (Rwa/EAC registered) | 20 | |
| Vehicle/ minibus (foreign registered) | 40 | |
| Omnibus/bus/over lander (foreign registered) | 100 |
Guide Fees
| Guides Park and community free lance |
USD |
|
| Guide for self-drive game drive | Per guide/ ½ day | 25 |
| Guide for self-drive game drive | Per guide/ full day | 40 |
Vehicle costsCar or minibus (EAC/Rwandan registration)10 Omnibus/bus/overlander (registered with RWA/EAC) Twenty minibuses or vehicles (foreign registered)40 Overlanders, buses, and Omnibuses (foreign registration)100 Guide charges
In order to avoid violating park rules and regulations and facing fines, you can hire a guide at the park, who will ensure that you have an incredible Rwanda safari experience exploring the many areas of the park. A guide can provide you with an unforgettable safari experience as they are well-versed in the park’s routes and various sectors where you may witness a high concentration of animals.
Activities in the National Park of Akagera, Park Fees for Akagera in 2023
| Adults 13+ Children 6-12 | ||||
| Night game drives | Pp2.5hours/vehicle, driver, guide/min2 max7 |
40 |
25 |
|
| Fishing |
Pp per day (own equipment) |
25 |
15 |
|
| Boat trip-scheduled morning/day |
Price per pp/ 1 hrs./max 11pax
|
35 |
20 |
|
| Boat trip-scheduled sunset trip |
Price per pp/ 1 hrs./max 11pax |
45 |
30 |
|
| Boat trip-private, non-scheduled |
Price per pp/ 1 hrs./max 11pax |
180 |
– |
|
| Camping |
Price pp/ night |
25 |
15 |
|
| Behind the scenes tour | Price pp/ min 4 /1.5 hrs. |
25 |
15 |
|
| Group rate for 8 |
180 |
– |
||
| Game drive day (AMC operated) | ½ day max, 5 hrs./vehicle, driver, guide max7 |
180 |
– |
|
| Full day/vehicle/driver, guide, max7pax |
280 |
– |
||
| Community cultural experience | Various activities offered half day/ min 3pax |
30 |
20 |
|
| Walk the line | 7km along the fence/min 3pp approx3 hrs. |
30 |
20 |
|
| Other fees | USD | |
| Tent hire | Per 6-man(3mx3m)canvas tent (south sites) |
20 |
| Recovery fee | Breakdown or assistance from the park |
70 |
| Recovery fee coasters | Breakdown or assistance from the park |
150 |
| Fines | For breaking any park rules and regulations |
150 |
| Landing fees | Per landing within Akagera |
50 |
| Research fee | Contact the management prior to any research | 200 |
| Ranger assistance fee | For researchers/per day/ conditions apply |
25 |