Boat trips on Lake Ihema – Akagera National Park
Boat trips on Lake Ihema- Akagera National Park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda. It is Rwanda’s only savanna park lying at the northeastern region close to Tanzania border. The park is characterized by vast savanna grasslands, woodlands, swamps and water bodies. The varying landscape, remarkable ecosystem, and a net work of unique water sources creates an amazing scenery that attracts both wildlife and humans. The park was named after river Kagera that feds different water bodies in the park including Lake Ihema.
Akagera National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, which was gazette in 1934. Originally it covered 2500 square kilometers(970 sq mi) but was reduced to the current size of 1122 square kilometers (433 sq mi) as part of the land was reallocated to homeless people after the 1994 Rwandan civil war. Akagera National Park is a gem where you can see different animals, as it is estimated to be home to over 8000 large animals, including the big five: lions, leopards. Elephants, buffalos, and rhinos. In addition to the big five are giraffes, roan antelopes, impalas, Topis, bushbucks, elands, baboons, warthogs, mongooses, and several bird species.
Akagera National Park offers different activities like game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, hiking, fishing, birding, and many others, but in this article emphasizes boat trips. There are several water bodies in this park, including Lake Ihema, Lake Mihindi, lake Birengero, Lake Gishanju, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Shakani, and river Kagera.
Boat trips are an adventurous activity and are mainly carried out on Lake Ihema, the largest lake in this park and the second largest in Rwanda. Lake Ihema is approximately 7 meters deep with a total surface area of about 100 square kilometers at the eastern border of Rwanda with Tanzania.
The word “Ihema” means “tent” in Kinyarwanda. The lake derives its name from the landmark of the explorer Henry Morton Stanley, who pitched his tent on the shores of the lake and thus the tent became a recognized landmark, hence the name of the lake.
Lake Ihema is a notable place in Rwanda, offering boat trips where visitors explore the rich ecosystem around the lake. This lake is also known for harboring the highest population of hippos and crocodiles in East Africa. In addition to the water animals, several bird species can be spotted on a boat trip along the lake, and these include jacanas, herons, papyrus gonolek, hawks, malachite kingfisher, African darters, cormorants, ibises, and the African fish eagle, among others.
The lake is surrounded by papyrus swamps which provide best sightings for the elusive shoebill stork. However, this lake is also affected by water hyacinth, which endangers the lives of different aquatic creatures and birds. This dangerous water weed also affects the movement of boats.
Schedule for boat trips in Akagera National Park
Boat trips on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park are set at different hours of the day as follows,
- 7:30 – 8:30 am and 9:00 – 10:00 am (morning trip)
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm (afternoon trip)
- 4:30 – 6:00 pm (sunset trip)
Scheduled boat trips that last for one hour are charged $45per person with a maximum of 11 people.
Pricing for boat trips
Adults | Children 6 – 12 years | ||
Morning/day scheduled trip | 1hour, max – 11pax | $35 | $20 |
Sunset scheduled trip | 1 hour, max – 11 pax | $45 | $30 |
Private non-scheduled trip | 1 hour, max – 11pax | $200 | |
1 hour, max – 20 pax | $360 |
Private boats are also organized but should not match the scheduled hours for the public boat cruises. Private boat trips are charged depending on the type of boat and hours to spend on the cruise. They range from $300 – $500 per day, with a private boat hire at $180 for the entire boat. If you are alone on the private boat, you will pay the whole sum.
Before participating in the boat cruise experience, you must know that the lake lies within the park premises, hence, you must pay the park entrance fee first. If you are to spend a night or more in the park, the park entrance fees for the days and nights are as per the table below.
Entry fee per self-drive permit per person |
1 day/ Night | 2 nights | 3 Nights | |
International visitors | $100 | $150 | $200 | |
Rwandan/ residents | $50 | $75 | $100 | |
Rwanda/EAC citizens | $16 | $24
|
$32 | |
International visitor Children 6-12 | $30 | $45 | $60 | |
Rwandan /EAC citizen children 6- 12 | $11 | $16 | $21 | |
Africans
|
$50 | $75 | $100 |
Apart from boat trips, another activity to be carried out on Lake Ihema is fishing. Participants in the fishing activity get to observe and even catch some fish species found in this lake, such as the tilapia, Nile perch, catfish, and many others. Visitors are advised to carry their fishing gear to avoid the expense of hiring from the park headquarters. The fishing activity gives the participants a chance to interact with the local fishermen, who help to show them the local fishing methods as they listen to interesting stories about the lake and the park at large.
Birding is another activity that you can enjoy while on Lake Ihema since this park is home to more than 50 bird species. As you walk in surrounding areas or sail on the lake, you will spot several bird species especially the water birds including the great egret, grey plantain eater, heron, crowned lap wing, blue cheeked bee-eater, black kite, African fish eagle, pygmy king fisher, black crake, hadada ibis, red-billed till etc… In the surrounding swamps, you can spot the endangered shoebill stork with its unique aspects and behavior. Migratory birds can also be spotted in this area.
Akagera National Park offers accommodation for visitors who wish to have a longer exploration of the park. The accommodations range from luxury, mid-range, and budget, including the camping grounds where you must go with your camping gear. Some of the accommodations within and close to the park include Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Safari Camp, Karenge Bush Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Rhino Lodge, Akagera Transit Lodge, Akagera Safari Camp, Akagera Ihema lodges, Akagera guides’ house, Akagera Bananas camp, etc…
How to get to Akagera National Park
Travelling to Akagera National Park from Kigali takes only two hours to cover 110 kilometers to the eastern part of Rwanda. The road is well tarmacked and safe for driving. The speed limit should be 60 km/hr. However, travelers are advised to hire 4x4WD vehicles because the park trails have varying terrain. They should also fuel the vehicles to a full tank when going for game drives because there are no filling stations within the park premises.