A boat trip in Akagera National Park is the nicest way to explore the amazing wildlife of Akagera National Park by tourists on Rwanda wildlife tours. These boat rides are organized by Akagera Park authorities and run for around 1-2 hours.

Most visitors on Akagera National Park safari tours go for scheduled boat trips- conducted four times a day. The morning boat cruise in Akagera Park (US$40 per person) starts at 7:30 am and 9 am whereas the evening boat rides start around 3 pm and 4:30 pm. Usually, bird watchers opt for the morning boat cruise as it’s the best for spotting waders when they are actively feeding and it’s possible to spot the rare Shoebill stork.

Private boat trips in Akagera National Park Rwanda (US$180 per person) can be done as well.

At a maximum, the boat ride on Lake Ihema in Akagera carries 11 people therefore, you must book in advance at least one hour before from the park office.

During a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, be expectant to spot most of the animal species in Akagera Park for example, the large hippo pods and even Nile crocodiles, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, elephants, and many animal wild animals grazing along the banks of the lake. Cormorants, yellow-billed storks, African open bill, African daters, and other water birds are residents on the shores also.

The dry months offer the best game viewing experience for tourists on Rwanda safaris in Akagera Park because most grazers normally feed near the shores of Lake Ihema.

Amazing Things to See During a Boat Trip in Akagera National Park

The main intention of undertaking a boat cruise in Akagera National Park Rwanda is to encounter wildlife that is usually hard to spot during game drives. Likewise, it’s another thrilling way to spot game animals mostly grazers feeding in areas near Lake Ihema banks.

Game Animals

As earlier told you that a boat cruise during the Akagera National Park safari tour is a remarkable way to spot game animals in this park within their natural habitat. While on the Lake Ihema boat ride, it’s you can miss spotting;

Large Hippo Pods

Hippos in Akagera Park spend most of the day resting in waters near the shores of Lake Ihema. Some can be spotted emerging out of the water! Views of these magnificent creatures (hippo pods) grunting in water is a remarkable wildlife viewing experience every nature love on a Rwanda safari vacation should explore.

Abundant Bird Species

The morning boat ride in Akagera Park is the best alternative for all bird enthusiasts on the Akagera National Park safari. During the boat cruise on Akagera Lake Ihema, you’ll spot bird species like African daters, giant kingfishers, Hamerkops, malachite kingfishers, great egrets, lesser egrets, pink-backed pelicans, Goliath herons, yellow-billed storks, and great cormorants. The African fish eagle and malachite kingfishers are hard to miss.

Lucky travelers can spot the Shoebill stork. Local birding guides on Lake Ihema know some spots where this primeval bird is normally spotted.

Although we suggest a morning boat cruise for birding in Akagera, even visitors who will undertake the afternoon or evening boat rides will spot many bird species.

The Beautiful Scenery

While on the boat trip in Akagera National Park, you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views of the scenic area that surrounds Lake Ihema. The area around this largest lake in Akagera Park features beautiful rolling hills ideal for photography.

The sunset boat cruise (beginning at 5:30 pm) offers the best experience for photography. The golden sky is seen reflected in the water and many animals can be spotted around the banks during this time.

What to Know About Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park

Lake Ihema is the largest lake in the park. This scenic lake is in the grassland region in the southern part of Akagera National Park in the eastern province of Rwanda.

Akagera’s Lake Ihema is 1,22 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 90 km², making it the largest lake in the park. The depth of Lake Ihema varies from 5 to 7 meters based on where you are and the time of year. On the eastern shore of the lake, Tanzania and Rwanda meet.

The Akagera River is the main source of water into Lake Ihema as well as to the other 12 numerous lakes of the park including Lake Shakani.

There are big seasonal and perennial papyrus swamps all around the lake. In the area, around this lake, travelers on Rwanda wildlife safaris in Akagera Park can spot; hippo pods, giant Nile crocodiles, zebras, elephants, cape buffalos, and numerous antelope species.  Also, it’s an Important Bird area in Rwanda with many water bird species like the Shoebill stork, plovers, Papyrus gonolek, jacanas, herons, kingfishers, etc.

Best Time for Boat Trip in Akagera National Park Rwanda

Boat cruise safaris in Akagera National Park are open to travelers on Rwanda wildlife safaris any time of the year. It’s just like Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park.

Although tourists on Rwanda holiday tours can enjoy boat rides in Akagera Park year round, we recommend boat trips in the dry season- (June-early September & December-February) when the weather is friendly to most outdoor safari activities in Rwanda. Game viewing in dry months is wonderful since the savannah grasslands are thin and wild animals are easy to spot! They gather mostly around water holes.

It can rain in most hours of the day during March-May and even October-November. In the rainy season, some game tracks in Akagera might be challenging to access, and rain insolvencies with your boat cruise adventure.

What to Pack for Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park?

Akagera National Park boat cruise safari packing list is similar to the park list of Rwanda wildlife viewing tour in Akagera Park. Also, most of these items can be worked on your Rwanda gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park as well as on a chimpanzee trekking tour in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

A summary of the crucial items to pack on your boat trip in Rwanda Akagera Park;

• Camera for photography
• Insect repellant
• Binoculars to enjoy sights of distant features well
• Warm jumper helps in case the weather is cold
• Birding guide book especially for bird lovers
• Sunglasses and sunscreens- ideal during the afternoon boat cruises
• Wide safari hat
• Eco-friendly safari clothes
• Personal toiletries
• A first-aid kit

How to Book a Boat Cruise in Akagera National Park on Lake Ihema?

Travelers on African safaris in Rwanda interested in the Akagera Park boat trip book this adventure from Akagera National Park headquarters. Commonly, travelers book tickets for the boat ride through domestic tour operators in Rwanda.

During the peak season- the busy season for tourism in this county, visitors should book this adventure in advance as tourists are many in the park. All the boat rides (morning and afternoon sessions) run for about 1-2 hours. You’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide about all the wildlife in Akagera Park.

On the boat ride in Akagera, always put on a life jacket for safety reasons.

Schedule for Boat cruise in Akagera National Park

• 7:30 – 8:30 am
• 9:00 – 10:00 am
• 3:00 – 4:00 pm
• 4:30 – 6:00 pm (sunset boat cruise)

Private boat cruises in Akagera Park are charged at a flat amount for the boat, not per person. It should be booked at non-scheduled times starting from around 10.30 am – 1.30 pm.

Cost for boat cruise in Akagera National Park

• Morning (day) boat ride; US$35 per person
• Sunset boat cruise; US$ 45 per person
• Private boat ride; US$180 each person

Other Things to Do in Akagera National Park Rwanda

Tourist activities in Akagera National Park go beyond boat riding on Lake Ihema. Other things to do in this only savannah park of Rwanda include;

1. Game drives
2. Nature walks
3. Bird watching
4. Camping
5. Helicopter drives
6. Hot air balloon rides in Akagera Park
7. Sport fishing on Lake Shakani
8. Community visits to communities around the Akagera game area

Akagera National Park Accommodation- Where to Stay in Akagera Park?

The accommodation facilities in Akagera are open to all kinds of travelers on Rwanda wildlife safaris. Among these facilities, there are those within the park and even those near the park headquarters. Camping expeditions are also possible!

Among the best accommodation in Akagera Park include the following;

• Akagera Game Lodge
• Ruzizi Tented Camp
• Magashi Safari Camp
• Karenge Bush Camp
• Akagera Rhino Lodge 

Going for a boat cruise in Akagera National Park is another rewarding way of encountering game animals in the Akagera game area. During this 1-2 hours boat ride on Lake Ihema, travelers will spot thousands of water birds, amazing hippo pods in water, as well as elephants, zebras, waterbucks, giraffes, and crocodiles along the shores of the lake.

Boat rides in Akagera are scheduled; for morning and afternoon sessions. Our experienced Rwanda safari specialist is there to guide you on which schedule to go for. It’s possible to add Akagera safari tours with gorilla trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park and even Kigali city tours to mention but a few.

Email us for all the details about Rwanda wildlife tours.