Rhino Tracking in Akagera National Park

Rhino tracking in Akagera National Park is an incredible addition to numerous exciting wildlife encounters tourists can enjoy on Rwanda safari. This is a foot-walk experience offering a remarkable rhino encounter while they are in the wild.

During rhino trekking in Akagera National Park, tourists join rhino trackers while they carryout monitoring of rhinos. The experience involves taking note of rhino behaviors, their health and taking pictures. Akagera National Park is the only park in Rwanda where not only rhinos but also other big game (elephants, buffaloes, leopards and lions) can be spotted in the savanna grassland.

Rhino tracking -the newly launched Rwanda safari activity in Akagera National Park is conducted in the extensive Kilala Plains, the Northern side of the park. Over 30 white rhinos were introduced to Akagera towards the end of 2021. The introduction of rhinos into Akagera National Park is aimed at ensuring their future survival.

The white rhinos are largely grazers and tracking them at Kilala makes it easier for tourists to spot. They are different from black rhinos that are largely browsers -they feed on tree leaves. Unlike the white rhinos, the black rhinos live in the southern side of Akagera National Park. The Southern section of Akagera is mainly comprised of acacia woodland and forest.

Rhino walk allows you have a deep understanding about rhinos and also view other wildlife. This amazing experience is currently done by 4pax and they join the park’s rhino trackers who carryout daily monitoring of these mammals in the savanna grassland of Akagera National Park. Rhino tracking/walking in Akagera National Park costs USD75 per visitor.

Addition to rhino trekking, Akagera National Park offers the best of guided game drive, hot air balloon experiences, boat cruise, birding, sport fishing, cultural encounters and nature walks.

Other wildlife/animals in Akagera National Park

Lying in the Eastern side of Rwanda, Akagera National Park hosts diversity of other wildlife. These include African bush elephants, lions, leopards, cape elands, bushbucks, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, roan antelopes, waterbucks, topi and more. Primates thriving in this park include bush babies, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, etc.

Birds – Akagera also has 500 bird species to be looked out for making it a significant birding site. They include papyrus gonoleks, gray crowned cranes, giant kingfishers, squacco herons, Africa darters, Senegal lapwing, fan tailed widowbird, pied crow, sacred ibis, Augur buzzard, fish eagle to mention but a few.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Classic accommodation facilities all exist in Akagera National Park for tourists to spend a night. These include Magashi Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Karenge Bush Camp and others. On rhino tracking in Akagera National Park, the best area to consider for overnight stay is Karenge Bush Camp.

Getting there

Getting to Akagera National Park for rhino tracking/walking is possible by road and by air. By road travel, it is just 2 and half hours’ drive away from Kigali capital and by air, take flight provided by Akagera aviation.