Sport Fishing in Akagera National Park in Rwanda
Sport Fishing in Akagera National Park in Rwanda is one of the most thrilling and exciting activities offered to visitors in the park. Akagera national park, which is located in the Kayonza district in the north eastern region of Rwanda, is the only national park in the country that offers sport fishing activities to tourists visiting the park.
Sport fishing in Akagera national park involves fishing tournaments that are conducted on a yearly basis in the park. Visitors interested in doing sport fishing in Akagera national park will have to directly contact Akagera Game Lodge which is in-charge of organizing sport fishing activities in Akagera national park.
Where is sport fishing done in Akagera National Park?
Sport fishing in Akagera national park is conducted on Lake Shakani which is located within the national park. Visitors interested carrying out sport fishing on the lake have an opportunity to catch fish species such as; tilapia and cat fish among others. Visitors fishing on the lake also get an opportunity to learn about the various methods of fishing that are used in Rwanda and these include; the cast net method, the gill net method, the Lampara, Spearing and shoot arrow method, the Scoop net method and lastly the Hooking method.
While fishing, visitors can enjoy a cold drink while listening to folk songs and folk tales or stories that are told by the local fishermen. This is also a great opportunity for visitors to interact with the local people of Rwanda, and learn more about the Rwandan cultures.
How much is a sport fishing permit in Akagera national park?
Visitors interested in sport fishing in Akagera national park can acquire a sport fishing permit at a fee of USD 25 dollars and the fees are charged on per person, per day basis. However, visitors interested in the activity are advised to book your fishing permits at least six months in advance since permits are in limited supply especially during the peak season in the national park.
Who is eligible to do sport fishing in Akagera national park?
Sport fishing in Akagera national park is one of those activities that visitors can do with friends and family. The activity is available for persons aged 6 and above years. Children aged between 6 to 12 years of age are charged USD 15 dollars per person per day.
Sport fishing in Akagera national park is such a wonderful experience and adventurous activity to do while on holiday in Rwanda. Visitors in Akagera national park can combine sport fishing with a boat cruise that is conducted on Lake Ihema which is also located in the national park.
There are approximately 10 lakes located within Akagera national park. Some of the interesting lakes that visitors in the park can explore include; Lake Ihema, Lake Gishanju, Lake Shakani, and Lake Mahindi to mention but a few.
Visitors planning to do sport fishing in Akagera national park in Rwanda are advised to carry your own fishing equipment since those hired out by Akagera game lodge are in limited supply.
Other activities offered in Akagera national park.
Besides doing sport fishing in Akagera national park, visitors in the park can also take part in other activities such as;
Guided Game Drives:
Akagera national park offers its visitors guided game drive safaris which offer visitors a great opportunity to explore the beautiful and vast savannah landscape in the park, as well as the numerous wildlife species in the park. The park offers visitors morning, afternoon and night game drives. While on a game drive in the national park, visitors a blessed with a chance to see wonderful wildlife species such as; lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas, oribis, zebras, giraffes, and antelopes among others.
Boat Cruise:
Boat cruises in Akagera national park are conducted on Lake Ihema. It is the biggest lake in the national park and is popular amongst tourists for its stunning birdlife. Boat cruises in Akagera national park are conducted at 7:30 am, 9 am, 3 pm, and 4:30 pm. However, there are also non-scheduled boat trips available in the national park for visitors who wish to have private tours.
Other activities offered in the national park include; camping, behind the scenes tour, walk the line, and community cultural experiences. All these activities can be combined with fishing activities in the national park.
About Akagera National Park in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park in Rwanda is the only savannah national park in the country. The park spans over a radius of 1,122 square kilometers and is mainly dominated by savannah grasslands, woodland, forests, swamp and marshland.
The national park was first established as a protected area in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government. Akagera national park is currently under the management of the Akagera Management Company after a joint partnership was made between Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, an NGO that manages other national parks on the African Continent.
Akagera national park is home to more than 8,000 large wildlife animals. The park shelters over 500 species of birds, about 100 savannah elephants, 25 black eastern rhinos, and over 80 Rothschild giraffes to mention but a few. Other wildlife species that can be seen roaming the savannah grasslands of Akagera national park include; zebras, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, Sitatunga, impala, and crocodiles among others.
Accommodation in Akagera national park.
Accommodation in Akagera national park is pretty affordable for visitors planning to spend a night or two in the park. Some of the recommended accommodation facilities in the park include; Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Karenge Bush Camp, and Ruzizi Tented Camp to mention but a few. There are also designated campsites within the camp for visitors interested in camping, and these include; Shakani Akagera Campsite, Mutumba Campsite and Muyumbu Campsite.
How to get to Akagera National Park.
Visitors can be accessed Akagera national park by Road from Kigali City. It is about 110km From Kigali which is roughly a 2 and half hour drive. Tourists are advised to hire 4x 4 wheel drive vehicles for your safari as the roads leading to and within the national park is characterized by murrum or rather dirt roads. Alternatively, visitors can hire a helicopter to transport you to the national park. Akagera Aviation offers charter flights to the park.
Conclusion; Visitors looking to escape the lockdown which has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic should contact Explore Rwanda Tours and book your getaway safari to Akagera National Park in Rwanda
