BY ALEX NGARAMBE

Rwanda´s Akegera National Park is one of Africa’s most diverse national parks offering a chance to tourists to see Africa`s big five all-in- one safari destination and drive.

Located in the eastern part of the country, Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s famous Savanna animal sanctuary with a wide range of animals that include buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and antelopes a good opportunity for tourists making akagera national park a must visit.

Rwanda´s tourism sector has been on an upward trajectory over the years making the country a favorite destination for tourists especially the rare and famous mountain gorillas that have attracted many foreign visitors.

Akagera National Park is estimated to have been home to over 200 lions by 1994. However, after refugees returned to the country, they encroached on the park poaching them leading to their total extinction.

However, lions were re-introduced to Akagera National Park in 2015 by importing seven lions from South Africa and according to Rwanda's Akagera National Park, the number of lions in the park has grown to 58 from none more than 20 years ago, attributable to bold conservation efforts.

According to official figures, in 2010, 8,000 people visited the park. This number rose to 44,000 by 2018. This increase has allowed Akagera to become 80% self-sustaining and therefore less reliant on donors. The numbers for 2022 were 34,000 paying visitors and 92% of operating costs covered by park revenue.

Akagera has an inspiring conservation story as it is now home to lions and rhinos, and is the only Big Five park in the country. Just two hours' drive from Kigali, it is a beautiful and convenient savannah landscape to visit, and an easy site to add on to before or after visiting the gorillas.

Travelers visiting the national park can view a variety of wildlife like; the Burchell's zebra, giraffes, antelopes, impala, topi, Sitatunga, jackals, and hyenas among others. Sighting the Big Five in Akagera national park marks one of the highlights of any Rwanda safaris in the country.

Mohammad Mupenda, the founder of OVM investments ltd, a tour operating company in the east African community says that akagera safari is one not be missed by tourists because of its richness and the improved infrastructure development.

“Akagera national park has come along way given the re-introduction of Africa’s “Big Five” which ticks all the boxes for tourists. This is the only park in the country with these gentle giants making it a must destination for people intending to visit Rwanda,” said Mupenda.

Mupenda also appreciates the professionalism with which the tour guides exhibit from the entrance of park all through the safari drive that can last up to two hours giving tourists maximum experience.

“The guides and the entire management is really professional and gives tourists a feel at home experience through their friendliness which makes the game drive a memorable on,” added Mupenda.

OVM investments ltd is an experienced tour and travel company that also organizes research tour, study, accommodation, film, media tourand experimentation. This also arranges to receive researchers who come to Rwanda as well as sending people to the US for study tours.

Among other reasons why tourists will enjoy a visit to the Akagera park, is the experience of boat cruising on lake Ihema as the best way to spend the afternoon in the park. Around this time animals hiding under the shades because of the heat from the sun while others come to water for cooling off and drinking.

Previously, Rwandans were not enthusiastic about local tourism considering the experience a luxury for tourists from the western countries. But growing middle class and awareness campaign from government, local tourism in growing significantly.

Especially the young Rwandans are embracing local tourism by visiting game parks to experience the beauty of their country at a much smaller cost put in place by government to make it affordable by locals thus boosting tourism revenues for the country.

“Its my first time to visit akagera national park or indeed any other park in Rwanda I had never considered a priority like many Rwandans did in the past, but I have fallen in love with the park after seeing all the big animals like lions, elephant, buffalos and many more. I encourage Rwandans to come and experience this,” noted Saidi Gasozi, a first time Rwandan visitors to the akagera national park.

Rwanda´s tourism had taken a beating as a result of covid-19 since international travels had been banned or restricted. But due to strategies put in place by the Rwandan government, tourism is once again flourishing post covid-19.

Michaella Rugwizangoga, Chief Tourism Officer, at Rwanda Development Board says government has been able to recover in terms of tourism revenues and numbers after covid-19 as a result of continued investments in big international hospitality brands.

“Rwanda´s ability to keep attracting top hospitality brands like Marriott, Radison and Sigita among others as well the visit Rwanda project a partnership with top European football clubs have played key roles in tourism growth,” said Rugwizangoga.

Today, Rwanda's tourism industry is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings, contributing over USD 445 million to the local economy in 2022, which has contributed to the country's sustainable development through job creation, business opportunities and environmental conservation efforts