text stringlengths 0 1.16k |
|---|
I have fair experience of game parks in Zimbabwe and also Liwonde in Malawi. |
I wasn't sure what to expect from Akagera. |
I have seen the big five and just hoped for the best. |
I was not disappointed. |
If you are desperate to see lion and herds of elephant for example you might be out of luck but that can be the case anywhere. |
We had a game drive before breakfast and saw everything we could reasonably expect to see (the plains game plus buffalo). |
Then we saw nothing bar baboons and zebra for 2 or 3 hours. |
It's the way things go and not, to my mind, the fault of the park. |
We then headed for a boat trip on the lake and had an outstanding experience of hippo, elephant and the biggest crocodiles I have ever seen. |
We could easily have missed the elephant. |
That's the joy and frustration of game viewing! |
It is a scenic park with views over the lake and a variety of terrain and I enjoyed that also. |
Clearly the more time you have, the further you can go and the more you are likely to see. |
If we had gone further north (where our guide would have liked to take us) we would probably have seen more elephant. |
I thought the roads were pretty good and even an ordinary car could have coped. |
We were in a minibus and hired a guide and I would recommend that. |
I would also say that the boat guide, Theogen, was outstanding. |
The fact that European authorities are donating black rhino to the park indicates to me that this is a well looked after park and as time goes by the rhino and lion populations will increase and consequently be more visible. |
Currently it may not be the safari capital of the world but if you are in Rwanda I would say it is well worth the visit. |
It also has an informative display at the entrance (and a reasonable small cafe if you wish). |
Akagera National Park is located at approx 3 hours drive from Kigali (capital city of Rwanda). |
If you are looking for a safari on a budget, read further.... |
Rent a car for self drive from Kigali. |
Drive to Akagera National Park. |
At the entrance (south entrance), pay the entrance fees and the fees for the car. |
You can hire local community freelance guides on a half day/full day basis. |
If you are into camping, there are 3-4 campsites in the park with electric fencing and toilet facilities. |
You have to pay for the campsite at the visitor center. |
cheapest accommodation in the park). |
You can get a tent from the visitor center or get your own tent. |
Firewood for camping is provided by the park. |
Head out with you car and guide for a self drive safari. |
Fees as of July 2019 Entrance fees for foreign visitor : $50 per day Vehicle Fees (rwandan registered): approx $12 Guide fees (half day) $25 Guide fees (full day) $40 Camping fees (per night) : $25 Staying at Akagera Game Lodge (B&B): $140 per night |
So, perhaps you are considering going to Akagera National Park and leaving it up to the Park to assign one of their superbly trained guides.They preparation that they undergo to spend the entire time in your car with you and whoever is driving will become a marvellous experience! |
Wow, do those guides know A LOT!! |
I have been several times now for this very personal and super up-close to the animals type of safari. |
This most recent trip we were assigned Anaclet Nsengiyumva , the man who TRAINS them guides themselves. |
There was literally NOT one answer he couldn't provide. |
He knew all of the animals of course but, for me personally, the biggest delight was his immense knowledge of birding (and science, in general!. |
Anaclet brought so many fascinating anecdotes to his explanations and teachings. |
He was an absolute delight and I was more sorry to part with him than all of the spectacular birds and magnificent creatures ! |
TRULY.... do yourself a favour, REQUEST HIM!!!! |
Three days and two nights stay in the marvelous national park. |
We drove in through the southern gate. |
Our fantastic guide and driver Emile from lion safaris Rwanda took us to an experience better and more fun than I ever could have dreamt about. |
We saw over 35 animals. |
And he could explain everything about them and also about the nature. |
One morning we went up before sun rice and went lion searching. |
However with no such luck. |
But the lights and ambience just to be on the savanna. |
Such an experience. |
Loved every minute of it. |
We left akagera through the both gate. |
Furthermore we stayed two nights in Karenge Bush camp. |
One could not dream of a better service food view and location - 100% recommendation! |
I want to go back! |
me and my clients enjoyed the drive through Akagera national park from the south to the exit in the north,though we were a little disappointed in the viewing of the animals because they didn't see much as expected but they were understanding because this is a small park that is still in recovery after the 1994 genocide besides these are wild animals. |
This was a business trip that was converted into a wildlife tour and we really enjoyed a lot from this place, The Gorilla were so fascinating and this really overcame our expectations looking forward to tour this place again. |
the park has been downsized to give land to farmers to settle down. |
the wild life needs more animals especially the big 5. seen the elephants and giraffes and zebra |
Akagera is a 'must' for all friends visiting us here in Rwanda. |
The park is stunningly beautiful and discovering the animals is great fun. |
Whenever we book, we try to have our favorite travel agent @HillsintheMistTours do the trip with us. |
Kassim has a perfect eye for the animals and an endless energy in finding them. |
He is eager to assure that is customers will leave the park with the experience of having seen wildlife. |
Also his safari car is highly recommended as it will allow for perfect viewing of wildlife, whilst giving comfort and space at the same time. |
I had read this was a small park and the wildlife population was recovering so I didn't expect to see as many animals as we did. |
We did one game drive and a boat safari and both did not disappoint. |
Our short time there limited us to the southern part of the park so we weren't able to fully explore the area but were delighted that on a short 3 hour drive we saw an elephant, giraffes, zebras, impalas, hippos, a crocodile, antelope, baboons, monkeys, several birds, warthogs, and water buffalo (and a few others I'm sure I am forgetting). |
The boat safari was also a pleasant and relaxing surprise. |
Riding on the lake in the morning was very enjoyable and afforded us some up close views of hippos, crocs, and water buffalo along with some great bird viewing. |
This was my first safari so I don't have much else to compare it to but I came away satisfied wishing we had more time to go up to the northern section of the park in hopes of seeing the lions and rhinos that frequent that area. |
Akagera National Park is a beautiful place to enjoy peace in nature while viewing game animals and beautiful birds. |
There are probably not as many animals as some other game reserves but it's still a very beautiful place to visit. |
We arranged our own driver and vehicle from Kigali out to Akagera. |
It's about a 2-hour drive to get there, and about 2.5 hours back because of driving from south to north within the park. |
Just one way in and a different way out. |
We had lined up Penina as a guide, and she was delightful. |
Friendly, informative without talking our ears off. |
The welcome center is comfortable with a small coffee bar and small gift shop, and good toilets. |
Use them when you can! |
We also had a short briefing in front of the park map before we took off. |
We saw lots of monkees, baboons, giraffe, zebra, impala, cape buffalo, water buck, hippos and warthogs - but the lions and leopards were elusive. |
Granted, it was a beautiful day and we were there mid-day, so as expected, the cats were napping and not moving around. |
The park itself is really beautiful. |
Plan on 6-7 hours within the park, and you need to bring in your own food if you want lunch. |
There's a nice place to stop at hippo beach (with a squatty potty). |
You can get out of the car and stretch your legs a bit. |
Would be great if they would have baboon-proof rubbish bins there. |
We thoroughly enjoyed our drive through the park. |
The flora and fauna is beautiful. |
You just can't be too update about seeing specific animals. |
Appreciate what you see and enjoy that. |
They are missing an opportunity by not having brochures and another gift shop at the north (exit) gate. |
If you didn't pick up something upon entry, you're out of luck. |
We've been there for 2 days, camping on a wonderful spot with great view over the park. |
Our guides, venuste and John, were great companions who were devoted in showing us everything. |
At the end we managed to see to elephants playing. |
Apart from that, plenty to zebras and buffalos, hippos and baboons. |
Highly recomended! |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.