How to Get To Akagera National Park From Kigali
How to get to Akagera National Park in Rwanda is either by Road or Flight. it takes 2 ½ hours to drive by road for 110km distance from Kigali International Airport to the Park. While each flight organized by Akagera Aviation (both morning & afternoon) to AKagera National Park, takes approximately 25 minutes from Kigali. However, Getting to Akagera National Park by road is most preferred.
Getting To Akagera National Park By Road.
Akagera National Park at the extreme Northeastern Rwanda can be accessed in 2 ½ hours by road in a sturdy 4WD safari jeep for a distance of 110km from Kigali International Airport. Getting to Akagera National Park by road in a safari vehicle is the best way to access by most travelers, because it offers beautiful scenery of the rolling landscapes of Rwanda. Whereas Rwanda’s only immense wildlife park which forms borders with Tanzania, is home to Big 5 game including Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Elephants, Rhinos as well as Zebras, Giraffes, Kobs, Hippos, Crocodiles among others.
Akagera National Park, can also be explored and discovered better in a 4×4 safari jeep as if offers a great chance to spot animals from the open windows or roof hatches. The 4×4 safari vehicles are also perfect for navigating through the bumpy roads leading to the parks, as well as the naturally dirt & rough roads inside the park, regardless of the season.
Flying to Akagera National Park
Kigali international Airport is the major access point into Rwanda, and is 10 km from Kigali town where most safaris depart & return.Kigali International Airport is served by Airlines including: Ethiopian Airlines, Rwanda Air Express, Air Burundi, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels among others.
It takes 25 minutes to fly from Kigali International Airport to Akagera National Park. Scheduled flights can be organized by Akagera Aviation, which offers two flights daily to Akagera National park from Kigali.
Directions to Akagera National Park.
From Kigali Town, (whether on a guided tour or self drive), take the drive towards the Airport, then turn left towards the East to Rwamagana, before reaching there, that said, when it is 100m left to reach Kigali International Airport. You will then continue with the drive to Kayonza district, then to the right after the round about where you will proceed until you reach at the Discentre station on the left side of the road, as you get into the town of Kabarondo. Once you reach the petrol station, turn left, and continue with your drive for a bout 15km until you reach Rwinkwavu Junction overlooking the Akagera National Park signpost on the left, after which, you continue for about 13km to the Park’s Entrance Gate.
Entry Requirements into Rwanda
It is important, that every traveler must have a passport, whereas for those countries that require Visa’s before entering Rwanda, can acquire one on arrival at $$30USD. Travelers from respective countries including: Germany, Sweden, DRC, Mauritius, South Africa, Honk Cong, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania don’t require Visas in order to access Rwanda.
Apart from travel documents, one must also pack or carry the right gear for an ultimate safari in Rwanda, including: enough cash, weather proof clothing, buck pack, pair of Binoculars, camera among others.