Big 5 Animals in Rwanda
Big 5 Animals in Rwanda: Big 5 are the most sought after wildlife animals that every tourist wants to see while on a safari in Africa. Lucky for those traveling to Rwanda on holiday, the Big Five can be seen while on a game drive in Akagera National Park.
The Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, and the African savannah elephant all make up Africa’s Big Five animals. These specific species of wildlife animals derived the name ‘Big 5 Animals in Rwanda’ from trophy hunters in the early 80s because they were difficult to hunt down.
The best way for tourists to spot any of the Big Five animals in Rwanda is during a guided game drive in Akagera national park. The national park, which is located in Kayonza district in the northeastern part of Rwanda, is the only savannah national park in the country. It is also the only safe haven for savannah wildlife animals in Rwanda, and the only place in the country where you stand a chance of seeing the Big Five animals.
Akagera national park in Rwanda shelters over 8000 wildlife animals; with over 100 savannah elephants, more than 80 giraffes, about 20 lions and over 500 different bird species. The park is managed by the Akagera Management Board under the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, a non-profit wildlife conservation organization.
The National Park offers tourists both day and night guided game drives which are the best option for visitors looking to see the famous Big Five in Rwanda. Day game drives in Akagera national park are conducted either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Morning game drives in the park can start as early as 6am while afternoon game drives commence at 12 noon till 4pm.
Game drives in Akagera national park take between 1 to 2 hours and cost between USD 30 dollars for day game drives and USD 40 dollars per person for night game drives. It is compulsory for visitors doing a night game drive to hire a park guide/ranger to accompany you on your game drive.
If you are particularly interested in seeing all the Big 5 animals during your visit to Akagera national park in Rwanda, it is highly recommended that you hire a park ranger. Park rangers/ guides in Akagera national park are very experience and well conversant with the park as well as wildlife animals in the park.
Hiring a guide or ranger at the park will give you a better opportunity to see all the Big 5 Animals in Rwanda while on your safari in Rwanda. Big Five animals like the Cape buffalo, Rhinoceros and the African savannah elephant can best be spotted during a day game drive in Akagera national park.
On the other hand, Big Five animals like the lion and leopard can easily be seen during a night game drive in Akagera national park. The fact that the two predators are nocturnal animals makes night game drives in the national park the best option for visitors to see the animals.
Leopards are very shy animals by nature and usually spend of most their time in isolation from other wildlife animals in the park. The also like hiding behind tall grass which makes it hard for tourists to spot during a day game drive.
Lions are always on the move in search for prey which makes them hard to track during the day. However since they hunt during the night, it is much easier for visitors to see lions on a night game drive than during the day. Since 2015, the number of lions in Akagera national park is gradually increasing, with more than 25 lions seen roaming the savannah grasslands in the park.
Aside from seeing the Big 5 Animals in Rwanda in Akagera national park in Rwanda, you can also view other wildlife species such as; impala, antelopes, duikers, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, zebra, giraffes and so many more.
The national park also offers other activities like; a boat cruise, camping, behind the scenes Akagera tour, walk the line tour, bird watching, and community cultural tours to mention but a few.
Big 5 Animals in Rwanda are very stunning animals, each in its on capacity. Other countries where you can sight the Big Five include; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Malawi.
Don’t hesitate to book your safari to Akagera national park in Rwanda, if you want to see the Big Five animals.
