Rhinos in Akagera National Park Rwanda

RHINOS IN AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK RWANDA

Rhinos in Akagera national park are among the big 5 mammals that can be seen in this wildlife savannah park alongside lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants. 18 black rhinos were introduced to Akagera national park from South Africa making Akagera officially a big 5 park again after so many years.  These black rhinos were received from south Africa transferred to Akagera national park from Kigali international airport. It was believed that the introduction of these black rhinos in Akagera national park would help in boosting the wildlife tourism in the country of Rwanda for tourists interested in Rwanda safaris because of the increase in animal diversity.

The introduction of rhinos in Akagera national park of Rwanda made the park home to big 5 mammals which are now lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. It’s said that there used to be rhinos roaring in the plains of Akagera national park way back in the 1970s but because of increased poaching and human encroachment, they were all killed. The last rhinos in the park were seen in 2007 but they also later became extinct. Akagera national park since 2007 has been managed by African Parks that has made a good job transforming the park and helping in growing the tourism numbers. African parks have been working tirelessly in preparing a well-trained rhino tracking team together with an anti-poaching canine team. They have also got a helicopter to do the aerial surveillance at different times of the day.

The good news is that some 3 female and 2 male eastern black rhinos were released into the bomas in Akagera national park in June 2019 with an aim of increasing the genetic diversity of the park’s population of rhinos and aiding efforts to restore the endangered species in the country of Rwanda and the region.

Tourism in Akagera national park is the major contribution to sustaining the success of the conservation of the park and the efforts required in protecting rhinos in Rwanda and many threatened animal species. For this reason, we encourage you to visit Rwanda not only to see rhinos but other desired primates among which include mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park and chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest national park.

Akagera National Park is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.

Akagera National Park, Rwanda, is almost unrecognizable today compared to over 20 years ago when it was on the verge of being lost forever. The aftermath of the 1994 genocide had a devastating impact on the environment, making its story of revival even more remarkable. In 2010, African Parks assumed management of Akagera National Park in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), shifting the park’s trajectory from one of oblivion to prosperity and hope.

From the beginning, there was a clear joint vision: to transform Akagera from a depleted landscape overrun by more than 30,000 cattle into an income-generating park for the benefit of people and wildlife. Effective law enforcement and strong community engagement were the foundation for rehabilitation. After practically eliminating poaching in just five years, lions were reintroduced in 2015, followed by black rhinos in 2017 and again in 2019 from European zoos. Wildlife numbers have grown from less than 5,000 in 2010 to over 13,000 and counting. Besides being a haven for wildlife, the park began supporting income-generating enterprises for local communities. Today, Akagera National Park continues to provide for the 300,000 people living around its boundaries, directly benefitting from its existence.

As a result of our track record in Akagera and over 10 years of successful collaboration with the RDB, in October 2020, the Government once again entered into a long-term agreement to have African Parks, this time to manage Nyungwe National Park. The Rwandan Government is showing how protected areas, with clear vision and under the right management, can support people and wildlife long into the future.

With the help of our counter-poaching canine unit, African Parks overhauled law enforcement to help secure Akagera National Park and, as a result, not one high-value species has been lost to poaching since 2010.

In 2017, 18 eastern black rhinoceros were reintroduced to Akagera, bringing the species back to the park and the country after a 10-year absence. The population was further supplemented by an additional five individuals translocated from European zoos in 2019.

Lions were reintroduced in 2015, and with the addition of two males in 2017 to increase genetic diversity, the population has since quadrupled.

More than 2,000 schoolchildren visit Akagera National Park each year, along with teachers and local leaders, as part of the environmental education program.

By the close of 2019, Akagera was 90% self-financing, with revenue generated by almost 50,000 tourists, 50% of whom were Rwandan. Even though 2020 saw a 68% reduction in visitors due to COVID-19, Akagera continued to provide for the 300,000 people living on its boundary.

Along with wildlife conservation and community engagement, tourism holds the key to continuing to unlock the economic benefits needed to lead to a brighter future for those who live around Akagera and in the border regional park.

4 Days Akagera National Park Wildlife Safari Adventure 2022

Itinerary Overview

4 Days Akagera Safari is the best Safari to Akagera National Park for wildlife game drives. Akagera National Park the only savannah park in Rwanda. Located East of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is the only savannah park where it’s possible to have a game drive for wildlife viewing in Rwanda.

The park is home to the “Big Five” African game (which are Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, and Elephants). It’s the best spot for Rwanda wildlife tours. Rwanda doesn’t have several wildlife parks but Akagera is a major drawcard when it comes to wildlife game drives.

From Kigali city, it takes about 2 h 30 min to reach the park on the fastest route and about 3 hours via Akagera road.

During this 4 Days Rwanda wildlife safari to Akagera National Park, you have a game drive and a boat safari on Lake Ihema. Big mammals like the Lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and rhinos can be spotted during these Rwanda safari activities.

The tour is also customized with a Kigali city tour on the second day. 4 Days Akagera National Park adventure includes an expert safari guide, meals, transportation, accommodation, and all other necessary safari requirements.

In conclusion therefore, rhinos can only be seen or found at Akagera national park in Rwanda