Solo safari in Akagera
Akagera National Park covers an area the size of 1200 square kilometres in eastern Rwanda. It consists mostly of savannah but also features lakes, grasslands, hills and papyrus swamp. The park is home to large herds of zebras, every type of antelope, olive baboons, green vervets, graceful serval cats, spotted hyenas and striped jackals. A night safari is also worthwhile, if only to see the brown greater galago or the smaller moholi, a primate with bulging black eyes and large floppy ears. The national park also boasts a variety of habitats that attract large numbers of birds. Here you will find almost 500 different species of songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey including rare and endangered species such as the beautiful Papyrus gonolek and comical Shoe-billed stork. Visitor numbers are relatively low so you will be guaranteed to spot more wildlife than tourists.
An Out of Africa-style accommodation
Lower visitor numbers also means a more modest selection of accommodations: there are in fact only 2 options. The Akagera Game Lodge, on the edge of the savannah, offers 80 rooms and suites, a restaurant and a refreshing pool overlooking Lhema Lake. The small new Ruzizi Tented Lodge provides guests with the real 'Out of Africa' experience. Up to 20 guests can be accommodated in 9 luxury safari tents with hardwood floors, king-size beds, bathrooms and verandas with sweeping views of the surrounding nature.
