Back in time, Akagera national park was a battlefield between the Rwandan Army and the rebels -Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) between 1990 and 1994, the rebels mostly comprised of Tutsi exiles making the area become a no-go zone for tourists, but recently the region has grown to become Rwanda’s most desired destination for visitors.

The park was known for its large population of African wild dogs, and, later on dubbed the ‘Parc aux Lycaons’ and wild dogs were so abundant that the Belgian government considered it a pest. However, in 1957, black rhinos were introduced from Tanzania and more than 50 black rhinos started living in the savannah habitat of the park. Unfortunately, widespread poaching led to the rapid decrease of rhino population in subsequent decades and the last confirmed rhino sighting was in 2007.

In 1986, Masai giraffes were introduced from Kenya and their population has grown to over 80 individuals in recent years. Around 1990, Akagera was known to have a population of 250 to 300 lions, but in years following the Rwandan Civil War, the entire population perished due to peasants who returned to settle in the park after the civil war.

But nevertheless, in consequent years, the park has kept on developing; for example, in 2009, the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks Network agreed to jointly manage Akagera Park, they introduced locally extinct wildlife species, training of expert Rhino tracking and protecting the team as well as constructing the western boundary fence.

In 2015, the park went ahead to introduce seven lions from South Africa making them be the first lions in Rwanda since their last sighting 15 years ago. Also, the park has witnessed steady growth in the number of game and other wildlife species. It is also interesting to know that in 2017 and 2019, the park introduced approximately more than 20 Eastern black Rhinos and lions from Europe and South Africa respectively, making Akagera a big – five national park in Rwanda. This progress has made the park harbor a wide range of products to showcase to its guests; including Africa’s big five – Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.

Activities and attractions in Akagera

While in this destination, visitors have a chance of encountering large number of wildlife such as over 490 bird species, profusion of game such as lions, buffaloes, antelopes, Zebras, giraffes and different primate species such as baboons, monkeys among others.

Akagera National Park is ideal for several activities namely game viewing that exposes you to lions, elephants and Buffaloes among others, Bird watching where a traveler spots the red-faced barbets, Unique papyrus gonolek, among other migratory and endemic species.

Sport fishing and boat cruise excursions along Lake Ihema which as well harbors one of the largest concentration of Hippos in East Africa, and many more activities.

With a low lying landscape, wide plains dominated by grass, cactus and both thin and thick forests, the beauty of Akagera National Park is Unexplainable; it is only when a tourist visits that he or she gets to discover the treasure this historic national park holds.

When to visit Akagera

Akagera national park is open to tourists all year round; however, to stand great chances of spotting wild game, travelers are advised to visit during dry season; which runs between June to Early October and December to late February.

The low season of November is perfect for viewing migratory birds which fly from Ethiopia and Sudan, cross from Uganda and Tanzania and settle in the vast Akagera River wetlands and along the shores of Lake Ihema.

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Nyungwe national park has indeed been in existence for so long, since 1903 when it was a colonial crown land and later pronounced a forest reserve by the Germany colonial government. However in the period of 1958-1973, the reserve was reduced due to woodcutting, fires and poaching of animals that were in existence, the forest area reduced to 150sqkms, however, the elephant population was still large, but as years passed, effort was put to rescue and conserve the area and studies conducted in the area revealed that a vast population of Colobus monkeys was living in groups of 400 members, something that made the tourist research facilities to be set up in Uwinka, though majority of them were destroyed during the genocide in 1994.

However in 1995, the responsible bodies commenced with the restoration mission, their effort was paid off in 2004 when the Nyungwe forest was officially declared as a national park and a protected area. Now, the park covers an area of roughly 970km2, inhabiting huge population of primates, grassland, rainforest and vast wetlands / bogs. Nyungwe forest is located in a region with a lot of biodiversity that provide a great span for microhabitats.

What to see and do in Nyungwe national park?

Nyungwe national park is home to over 13 primate species, 275 bird species, several mammal species, many amphibian species, and approximately 38 reptile species. The good news is that most of these animals are endemic to the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion in Africa.

Particularly, while in Nyungwe forest every traveler is assured of sighting colonies of chimpanzees and other primates such as L’Hoest’s monkey, silver monkey, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys and Olive baboons.

Nyungwe Forest national park exposes visitors to different experiences that cannot be found elsewhere, when you arrive in the forest, you will be taken to the trail through the forest canopy walk which is the only one in East Africa, you also have the opportunity to engage in birding, primate trekking, landscape viewing, visiting communities, nature walks in Nyungwe forest and neighboring tea plantations, camping, and many more interesting activities.

Getting to Nyungwe National Park

The road to the park from Kigali is tarmacked and smooth, so upon reaching Nyungwe Forest National Park, the main entrance is at Uwinka on the main Cyangugu – Butare road, approximately 55km from Cyangugu and 90km from Butare city.

When to visit the park

Tourists can Visit Nyungwe national park all year round with the best time being dry season months (June-October and December – February). All one needs is prior and proper planning and to make sure a trekking permit is booked in advance, to enjoy the experience in Nyungwe forest.

Accommodation in Nyungwe National park

There are very comfortable and cozy accommodation facilities for all kinds of guests who make it to the park. These range from luxury lodges, midrange / standard facilities, guest houses and as well as camping sites for budget and group travelers.

Nyungwe national park is that destination everyone has to visit, all its experiences are well packaged to suit all guests with whatever interest; all that is required now is to take a step and add it to your African safari bucket-list.

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This Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes that form the Virunga Massif namely; Bisoke, Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura. Among the many ancient sites found within the Volcanoes National Park are the Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest and Musanze Caves – formed 60 million years ago after the last volcanic eruption.

The Magnificent Volcanoes National Park, also known as Pac National des Volcans is a stretch of nearly 433 square kilometers bordered to the north east by Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo and the Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda. Thanks to the conservation efforts by the heroine primate researcher Dian Fossey who studied and advocated for the protection of these endangered primates thus saving them from the hands of poachers and unnecessary death.

Mountain gorillas being the subject of the late Dian Fossey, dedicated a lot of her life to their protection and conservation.  It was at Karisoke research center in volcanoes national park that Dian Fossey researched mountain gorillas. This study lasted for 18 years something that has enabled us to have gorilla tourism which contributes directly to gorilla conservation. One can also find more about her work by having a trek to Karisoke research center or watching the internationally recognized film “Gorillas in the Mist,” shot in Volcanoes National Park.

Mountain gorillas being the subject of the late Dian Fossey, dedicated a lot of her life to their protection and conservation.  It was at Karisoke research center in volcanoes national park that Dian Fossey researched mountain gorillas. This study lasted for 18 years something that has enabled us to have gorilla tourism which contributes directly to gorilla conservation. One can also find more about her work by having a trek to Karisoke research center or watching the internationally recognized film “Gorillas in the Mist,” shot in Volcanoes National Park.

What to do and see in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is home to over 10 habituated gorilla families, each as attractively chaotic and offering memorable experience as the other. Some of the famous gorilla groups found in the park include; Amahoro gorilla group, Sabinyo Gorilla group, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa gorilla group, Karisimbi among others. Trekking each of these groups is really fun and very rewarding.

The mountain gorillas are the main attractions in volcanoes national park with gorilla trekking happening all year round. Yet, because of the high altitude that makes the place very cold in the morning and the evening, you are encouraged to come very equipped with warm clothes, hiking shoes and long-sleeved shirts.

Besides Gorilla trekking, volcanoes national park gives its guests a range of equally interesting activities such as Bird watching, golden monkey trekking, nature walks, hiking mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, Musanze caves tour, visiting Dian Fossey tomb, Iby’iwachu cultural village tour, the twin lakes – Burera and Ruhondo, and so much more.

How to access Volcanoes National Park?

Accessing volcanoes national is just a 2 hours’ drive from Kigali and 30 minutes’ drive from Kisoro in Uganda through its border post – Cyanika. Or you can opt to use the Akagera helicopter to fly to the destination.

Lodging/Accommodation

Lodges in and around volcanoes national park range from luxury, midrange to budget depending on your interests. All the accommodation options provide standard services to their guests, clean and cosy environment, fantastic views and most of them are located Kinigi and Musanze towns.

Volcanoes national park is one of the safest parks to visit on the African continent, with its numerous rewarding activities, safety is paramount. Every tourist to the park (both local and international) is allocated to a guide and an armed escort into the jungle of volcanoes national park while trekking

 Besides that, there are set rules every tourist ought to abide by while trekking or carrying out any activity in the park.  All you need is add Volcanoes national park on your travel itinerary for that unforgettable African jungle encounter.

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