We were up early this morning...very early! We are driving to
Akagera National Park and needed to get an early start....5:30! But we couldn't complain because part of our group had to be up even earlier! Eight or nine from the group were going on an alternate excursion today...to see the
Silverback Gorillas and they are leaving at 4:30!
Today, those going on the excursion to Akagera Park would be in three Land Cruisers similar to what we rode in while in Tanzania. After a quick breakfast, we were off...heading northeast this time.
More sights along the way...life in rural Rwanda...
The locals are off to sell their produce at the market...
Banana plantation...
We always gave a wave back...
We stopped at the only entry to Akagera National Park, Kiyonza Gate, in the south, for pictures...
And saw our first wildlife in the park......
Kingfisher...
We stopped at the Park Headquarters to check in and pick up our guides for each vehicle.
(Click any photo to enlarge)
There is a big tree in the courtyard where these Weavers are making their nests...very interesting to watch. Apparently only the males build the nests then wait for an accepting mate. We felt sorry for the birds that had completed their nest to only have it fall to the ground!
Donna, Barb, Kaye and Joyce found a cup of coffee...
Crocodile...
Elephant skull...
After a briefing, we all hopped back into the Land Cruisers and were on our way. Hugging Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania on the other side of the lake, Akagera National Park covers about 1,120km² and is one of Africa’s oldest national parks.
T
he north of Akagera is mostly fairly low-lying grasslands and savannah plains, similar in feel to the 'traditional' safari areas of East Africa. To the west are rolling hills and valleys more typical of Rwandan countryside while to the east, the Akagera River feeds into a series of lakes, marshes and papyrus swamps that constitute central and eastern Africa’s largest protected wetlands. So, for a fairly small National Park, an Akagera safari can be extremely diverse with a variety of habitats, wildlife and birds, and some lovely scenery.
Akagera National Park has had a troubled past, with refugees from Rwanda’s civil wars returning to live in the area in the late 1990s, harming the environment through cattle-grazing and poaching. Consequently, the government reduced Akagera by half, allowing the new residents to stay in one part and protecting the rest.
Today, Akagera National Park is managed in conjunction with the conservation organisation African Parks, which is bringing it back to life. New perimeter fences and anti-poaching measures have made a huge difference to its animal populations and the national park is now well on the way to being restored. While its wildlife isn’t quite on the same scale as better-known East African parks, there is still plenty to see on an Akagera safari in some very beautiful scenery.
Hippos...
Akagera’s wildlife has increased significantly over recent years and the latest count estimated that the Park is now home to some 8,000 large animals. The new perimeter fence completed in late 2013 should also impact positively on numbers.
Papyrus...
African Fish Eagle...
Lunchtime at one of the many lakes in the park. Another hot day and no shade...
Some of the locals came for a picnic too...
There a dot in the water...
A Hippo...
Water Buck doe...
Water Buck...
Impala...
Topi...
Love this photo...
Bathroom break before we leave the park (after seeing it, I decided I could wait)...
Tilapia fish ponds...
Although it was nice to see more of the countryside and another park it was rather anti climatic after all the other safari tours we'd been on. The two previous days we spent 6-8 hours on that bus and today it was 3 hours just to get to this park and another 3 hours to get back. It may appear we saw a lot of animals but we really didn't...and, other than the elephant at the entrance, we drove a long time before we started seeing any. Just our opinion but it was still a good day all in all. :-)
Happy hour up the road. The group that saw the gorillas had a fabulous time. It was quite the hike in mud to get to them. You are not allowed to touch them but they can touch you. Alberto had some great video of the young ones. Byron had one run past him and got knocked over but wasn't hurt at all. Another once in a lifetime experience!
That evening we had our Closing Tour Party. Emmanuel, Athanasie, and Gloria joined us along with a couple of folks from the Yego Project.
Gordon thanking the chef here at Solace for the great meals prepared for us....
...as well as one of the servers. The folks at Solace Guest House worked very hard to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable (even if there was a slight language barrier at times!)
Gloria sang a song and thanked us all for visiting their country....
Larry saying a few words of thanks to Gordon and Esther for hosting the tour...
Joyce and the crew in their vehicle had also come up with a song of thanks to Gordon and Esther...
Emmanuel expressing his appreciation for our visit to Rwanda and learning about the people. He is very passionate about the people and the work he and YEGO do....
The office co-ordinator of Yego speaking...with Gloria translating....
We will be leaving Africa tomorrow...but not until the evening, so after the last 3 long days, we are looking forward to a relaxing day!
The north of Akagera is mostly fairly low-lying grasslands and savannah plains, similar in feel to the 'traditional' safari areas of East Africa. To the west are rolling hills and valleys more typical of Rwandan countryside while to the east, the Akagera River feeds into a series of lakes, marshes and papyrus swamps that constitute central and eastern Africa’s largest protected wetlands. So, for a fairly small National Park, an Akagera safari can be extremely diverse with a variety of habitats, wildlife and birds, and some lovely scenery. 
Akagera National Park has had a troubled past, with refugees from Rwanda’s civil wars returning to live in the area in the late 1990s, harming the environment through cattle-grazing and poaching. Consequently, the government reduced Akagera by half, allowing the new residents to stay in one part and protecting the rest.
Today, Akagera National Park is managed in conjunction with the conservation organisation African Parks, which is bringing it back to life. New perimeter fences and anti-poaching measures have made a huge difference to its animal populations and the national park is now well on the way to being restored. While its wildlife isn’t quite on the same scale as better-known East African parks, there is still plenty to see on an Akagera safari in some very beautiful scenery.
Akagera’s wildlife has increased significantly over recent years and the latest count estimated that the Park is now home to some 8,000 large animals. The new perimeter fence completed in late 2013 should also impact positively on numbers.
Happy hour up the road. The group that saw the gorillas had a fabulous time. It was quite the hike in mud to get to them. You are not allowed to touch them but they can touch you. Alberto had some great video of the young ones. Byron had one run past him and got knocked over but wasn't hurt at all. Another once in a lifetime experience!
I like the crocodile skeleton, I would like to have that skull on my wall!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Barb would agree with you....?? Just sayin' :)
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