Lake in Akagera National Park. Lake Akagera National Park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda and is home to a diverse number or range of lakes, swamps, wetlands, and waterways. Akagera National Park‘s unique geographical location with rolling hills, valleys, and plains, creates a network of lakes, rivers, and marshes that support a wide range of aquatic life. If you have a lot to ask or questions about the lakes in Akagera National Park, search no more for as you continue reading this article, all of your questions are going to be answered.

How many lakes are in Lake Akagera National Park?

There are several lakes which are found in Akagera National Park and some of them include,

Lake Ihema

Lake Ihema is the largest lake in Akagera National Park near the border between Rwanda and Tanzania covering approximately 90 square kilometers. The depth of Lake Ihema is approximately 5-7 meters deep and the water levels always depend on the season of the year, the water levels of Lake Ihema are always high during the rainy season and low during the dry season of the year. Lake Ihema is also home to different wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, fish, and a lot of different bird species. Just like the different attractions or wildlife found on Lake Ihema, also different activities are carried out or done on Lake Ihema. Some of these activities include boat cruises, bird watching, and fishing, to mention but a few.

Lake Shakani

Lake Shakani is a smaller lake than Lake Ihema also located in the southern part of Akagera National Park with stunning views covering about 10-15 square kilometers. Lake Shakani is relatively shallow approximately 2-3 meters deep, just like Lake Ihema also the water levels of Lake Shakani depend on the season of the year. When it’s dry season the water levels tend to be low and high during the rainy season of the year. Lake Shakani is also home to various wildlife like fish, hippos, crocodiles, and different bird species. Different activities like boat cruises, bird watching, and fishing, to mention but a few are done on Lake Shakani.

Lake Mihindi

Lake Mihindi is a small tranquil lake located in Akagera National Park Rwanda also in the southern part of the park near Lake Ihema surrounded by lush vegetation offering stunning views. Lake Mihindi covers approximately 2-3 square kilometers with an average depth of approximately 2-3 meters. Lake Mihindi also happens to be called home by different wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, fish, and different bird species. Different activities are done along and on Lake Mihindi such as fishing, bird watching, and boat cruises, to mention but a few.

Lake Rwanyakazinga

Lake Rwanyakazinga is a small and shallow lake located in the northeastern part of Akagera National Park near Lake Ihema covering about 1-2 square kilometers. Lake Rwanyakazinga is approximately 1-2 meters deep and the water levels are also determined by the season of the year, when it is rainy season the water levels tend to be high and low during the dry season of the year. Lake Rwanyakazinga is also home to different wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, fish, and different bird species. Different activities are carried out or done along and on Lake Rwanyakazinga and some of these include fishing, bird watching, and boat cruises, to mention but a few.

Lake Gishanda

Lake Gishanda is a seasonal lake located in the southern part of Akagera National Park covering approximately 0.5-1 square kilometers with a depth of about 1-2 meters. Just like other lakes, the water levels of Lake Gishanda are also determined by the dry and wet seasons of the year.

Other water bodies or lakes found in Akagera National Park include Lake Hago, lake Kivimba, lake Murambi, Lake Birengero, Lake Gishanju, and Lake Muryamba, to mention but a few.

What is the best time to visit lakes in Akagera National Park?

Akagera National Park is always open throughout the whole year to visitors or tourists who come to visit the lakes in the park, but just like any other tourist activity, there is always the best time for doing it or carrying it out. The best time for visiting lakes in Akagera National Park is during the dry season of the year. This is the best time for visiting because, during this time of the year, the lakes are more accessible, the weather conditions are cooler and the number of wildlife around the lakes is concentrated.

Can I swim in the lakes of Akagera National Park?

No! Swimming is not allowed in any of the lakes in Akagera National Park. This is because there are several crocodiles found in the lakes of Akagera National Park which are dangerous to human life.

Is fishing allowed in Akagera National Park?

Yes! Fishing is allowed in Akagera National Park and also happens to be one of the activities that are carried out from there but under different guidelines and guidance.

Other attractions found in Akagera National Park

Apart from visiting the lakes in Akagera National Park, there are also various attractions found in Akagera National Park. Some of these attractions found in Akagera National Park include wildlife, forests, landscapes (rolling hills) that offer beautiful views, nature walk trails, and communities, to mention but a few. There are also a variety of activities that can be done or carried out in Akagera National Park apart from visiting the lakes there, some of these include community visits, guided nature walks, and guided walks outside the fence of the park, to mention a few.

How to get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park can be accessed by both road and air transport. Using road transport, it will take approximately 3-4 hours to reach Akagera National Park coming from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, and those coming from either Rwmagana or Kibungo will travel for about 1 hour on a good tarmac road before reaching Akagera National Park. For those using the air transport, it will take approximately 20 minutes to get to Akagera National Park coming from Kigali city.