Plants of Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park comprises of diverse plant species which harbor variety of wildlife, birds and other eco-systems. The common plants of Akagera National Park include papyrus, acacia hockii, gum acacia, acacia gerrardii, acacia brevispica, acacia polyacantha, Albizia amara, paperbark thorn, Albizia petersiana, Dichrostachys cinerea, common currant-rhus, Searsia natalensis, golden bell bean, woolly caper bush, euphorbia ampliphylla, ficus thonningii, red leaved fig, buffalo thorn, Grecian similis, sausage tree, Ozoroa insignis reticulate, Albizia versicolor to mention but a few. The unique plant species in Akagera National Park are worth exploring especially by botanists and one can do so while on nature walk.

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only pristine savanna conservancy area, set suitably in the extreme northeastern Rwanda just adjacent to Tanzania, about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali capital city. Unlike other parts of Rwanda, Akagera National Park is moderately warm and straddles in the low altitude with most of its plains filled with dense, broad leafed woodland and transparent acacia woodland as well as some patches of grassland dotted with euphorbia candelabra shrub.

The western part of Akagera National Park lies between altitude 1600 and 1800 meters and the eastern part comprises of vast wetlands with Kagera River feeding numerous lakes that are joined by papyrus swamps and winding water streams. Diverse plants of Akagera National Park are a source of food to different species of wildlife including among others African elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, cape elands, giraffes, zebras, roan antelopes, sitatungas, Oribis, kobs, impalas, reed bucks and many others.

Akagera National Park is also blessed with over 550 bird species including the elusive shoebill storks, fish eagles, papyrus gonoleks, bee-eaters; as well as other wildlife species like hyenas, lions, leopards to mention but a few.

How to get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is reachable within 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali-Rwanda’s capital city. A good and comfortable 4 wheel drive safari vehicle should be a must to use to help you navigate through the remote routes to Akagera National Park in northeastern Rwanda. Kiyonza Gate in the south serves as the only entry point to Akagera National Park. It is near Akagera National Park headquarters whereas the Nyungwe Gate in the north serves as the exit gate.

In summary, Akagera National Park is home to not numerous savanna fauna species but also to diverse plant species that are worth exploring while on safari.