Akagera national park welcomes hot air balloon safaris

Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park has added yet another safari experience – the balloon safari – and it is the first in Rwanda. The balloon safari is provided by Royal Balloon, a reputed ballooning company from Turkey.

Akagera national park is famed for her wonderful scenery that is made of varied landscapes including extensive wetland systems & lakes running along one side, lush plains, thickets & forests in the middle and rugged mountains on another side… This scenery is hard to appreciate during the road safari through the park, and so the balloon safari will do it justice as it provides aerial views of the park.

Akagera’s animal population continues to grow and after the addition of rhinos, and lions in the recent past the park promises an amazing game experience equal to the famous game reserves in the region such as the Serengeti of Tanzania, Masai Mara of Kenya and Murchison Falls Park of Uganda. In the meantime, a lot of animals in Akagera can be missed on the drive tracks. This makes the balloon safari one of the best ways to explore Akagera enabling access to the pockets not reachable by car and help one spot more wildlife, while enjoying the magical sunrise across the lakes and breathtaking landscape.

Where the balloon safari starts in Akagera and the time and duration of the balloon safaris

The balloon safari will start in the south of the park where other safaris in Akagera start from. The south is in fact the entrance of the park. Balloon takes off from Kayitaba, a 5 minutes’ drive from the entrance gate.

The balloon safari experience will start very early in the morning at 5am before the official opening time of 6am for the other safaris in the park. The early start has been made an exception for and exclusive to the balloon safari experience, this provides a wonderful opportunity to catch the elusive nocturnal wildlife.

The balloon flight lasts about 45 minutes, but entire experience takes 2 – 3 hours.

After the balloon safari you can continue with the road safari through the park, either exploring the southern game tracks or drive through to the northern Kilala plains and exit the park heading back to Kigali.

There is only one flight per day.

Only 10 slots are available, hence book early. Minimum 2 people are required for flight to take place.

Cost of the Balloon safari in Akagera National Park

Rwandan nationals: 250USD

Foreign residents: 350USD

Foreigners: 450USD

Other activities in Akagera National Park

Game drive

Boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Walk the line

Night safari

Rhino tracking

Book from our safaris to Akagera National Park and do a balloon safari

2 day safari trip to Akagera National Park

3 days Akagera tour

Things to do after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

You are planning or have already booked your gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda and wonder what other activity you can do in the area?

Well there are plenty of activities for you to do without moving far away from Volcanoes National Park where the gorilla trek takes place. However note that you should not plan to do any other activity on the day of the gorilla tour. This is because the time taken to find the gorillas is never predictable hence the gorilla experience could take a whole day. Also, even if you return from the gorilla trek early enough, you may be too tired to do another activity, so it is better to relax away the rest of the day as you cherish the memory of the gorilla encounter.

You would therefore need to plan for an extra day after the gorilla trek, or have a day before the gorilla trekking day.

Canoe trip on River Mukungwa

The canoe trip on River Mukungwa is one of the must do activities before your gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. The canoe ride through the foothills of the Virunga mountains gives you a beautiful experience through rural Rwanda, as you view the beautiful hills, watch the local people in the countryside, and enjoy the thrill of riding down the fast waters.

The canoe trip is a 4 hour half day experience. You can plan to do this in the afternoon on the day of transfer from Kigali.

Gorilla guardians cultural village

Gorilla Guardians cultural village in Kinigi is very close to park volcanoes national park. The cultural center offers a short cultural experience which includes presentations of different Rwandan cultures and traditions such as royal wedding, traditional dance, hunting, etc…

You need at least one hour for the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village, so this is one activity one can easily include on your gorilla trip. This can also be done on the same day with gorilla trek, later after returning from the mountains.

Golden monkey tracking in volcanoes

Golden monkey tracking is another nice trek in Volcanoes National Park you can add to the gorilla tracking. It is ideal activity to do in the park because it is light, unlike other treks in the park. The monkeys live in the bamboo forests at the base of the mountains and are easy to find. The monkey trek in the park is done in the morning and therefore cannot be done on the same day as the gorilla trek. One would need to plan extra morning, perhaps the morning before flying out in the evening.

Visit Ellen DeGeneres campus

A visit to this amazing facility funded by Ellen DeGeneres in honor of Dian Fossey, should be on your to do list before the gorilla trek. The visit to the campus offers you an insight into the works of Dian Fossey in studying and conserving the gorillas. The campus aims are bringing up the next Dian Fosseys.

You can visit the campus in the afternoon of the day before the gorilla trek.

Visit local markets in Musanze/Ruhengeri town

The local markets tour in Musanze town is exciting as you get to see typical items sold in an African market, as well as other economic activities. One exciting activity at the market is to visit the local tailor and have African attire sewn for you there and then.

Twin lakes tour

The Twin Lakes are two beautiful lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains near the border with Uganda. If you would like to enjoy surreal scenery and great views of the Virungas you can visit the twin lakes and take a boat ride on Lake Burera or Ruhonda. Have picnic lunch and take in the amazing scenery as you relax before your trek in the volcanoes.

Musanze caves tour

The Musanze caves tour is a thing for thrill seekers as it takes you through the “under world” formed centuries ago from the volcanic activity. They are 1.25 mile long caves and as you hike through the hair raising environment you are given lessons on their formation, historical uses and traditional and cultural significance to Rwandans.

Biking

Best way to discover rural Rwanda and see how the communities live as well as explore the landscape, is by taking a biking trip. You  can bike to wonderful view points, check out the farmlands, villages, wetlands, twin lakes, etc…

Lake Kivu retreat and water adventure

At the end of the gorilla trek, you can transfer to Lake Kivu which is 1.5hrs drive from Volcanoes National Park and enjoy a relaxation retreat at one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Africa.

Unlike the activities above, Lake Kivu is a little far away from Volcanoes National Park and would therefore require at least a day or more to be added after the gorilla trekking.

Chimpanzee Vs Gorilla – comparing the two great apes

Which one is chimpanzee and gorilla?

Chimpanzees and gorillas are great apes, and, are by far the most popular of the great apes. The other two great apes are bonobos and orangutans. (For starters, apes are the “monkeys” without tails)

Chimpanzees and gorillas are found in many zoos across the world, but they are native to Africa and it is only here in Africa you can find them in their natural home of the jungle. Through the chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking tour experiences one is able to see face to face these incredible apes in their natural home!

Interestingly, even though chimps and gorillas are popular primates, a lot of people cannot easily tell the two apart. One will confuse a gorilla for a chimp and vice versa.

In this article I will compare the chimps and gorillas to help you know the major differences between the two primates, and also a few curious comparisons a lot of people make between the two.

Physical appearance & size:

Size

By appearance the gorilla is unmistakably much bigger than a chimpanzee. In comparison, the silverback gorilla which is the adult male gorilla weighs up to 450 pounds (204kg) while a fully grown male chimp can weigh up to 150 pounds (68kg).

When it comes to the standing height however, the chimp and gorilla actually stand “should-to-shoulder”, that is, stand at the same height of about 5ft (1.5meters). The chimp can also be taller than the gorilla, as some chimps may reach a height of 5.5f (1.68m). This would probably make the chimp “bigger” than the gorilla? No wonder for many it is not easy to tell the chimp and gorilla apart.

Hair

Gorillas are more hairy than the chimps. Perhaps this is the easiest way to differentiate gorillas and chimps looking at them up-close.

Strength – who beats the other between gorilla and chimp?

The gorilla is way stronger than the chimp, and in fact, it is estimated the strength of one silverback gorilla is equal to the strength of five chimps.

So if, a silverback gorilla gets hold of a chimp he would definitely rip it apart.

However, chimps are much more aggressive than the docile gorillas. What chimps lack in strength (in comparison to gorillas) they make it up with aggressiveness and incredible violence during a fight. Chimps fight so ferociously, that encounters between chimps and gorillas many, if not most, times see the gorillas fleeing from the severe beating by chimps. Chimps are known to pick tree branches and use them as sticks to whip the gorillas.

Climbing trees – who climbs better between chimp and gorilla?

Chimps are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their times in trees. They are therefore great tree climbers and are able to move/swing through trees with such swiftness and speed. They do however also come down to the ground as well and it is interesting sight to see them as they will make some steps on only their legs looking like real humans.

On the other hand, gorillas are more terrestrial, meaning they spend most of their time on the ground. They do climb trees but are not so good at it, but this largely is due to their massive weights. The lighter younger gorillas climb better. The gorillas (adult) do climb trees only when they really need to such as to pick fruits. It is common for the big gorillas to fall from trees and causalities have been recorded from those kinds of accidents.

Intelligence

Chimps are man’s closest relatives sharing 98.7 DNA with humans, while gorillas share about 98% with humans.

Chimps know how to make and use tools and solve complicated problems, which show higher intelligence than gorillas.

Akagera National Park pricing for 2024 – park fees

Visiting Rwanda for business, or are in Rwanda, and have a day or weekend off? Plan a trip to Akagera National Park home to many animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, etc…

Akagera National Park is just 2 hours drive from Kigali and can be visited in one day and you are back to Kigali before nightfall, that is, if you just want to see animals on the drive trail. However, the park offers many activities and spending one night or more enables you do more activities and get a better bush experience… And the good news is, the second night is half price for entry and no entry fees after 3 nights for up to a week!

Below are the Akagera national park entry and activity fees for year 2024.

IMPORTANT: The rates are set by African Parks that manages the park

Akagera Park tourist entry fees (per person)

Entry fee / self-drive permit 1 Day/Night 2 Nights 3 Nights
USD RWF USD RWF USD RWF
Rwandan/EAC Citizen ~16 15,000 ~24 22,500 ~32 30,000
Rwandan/EAC Resident 50 75 100
International Visitor 100 150 200
Rwandan/EAC Citizen children 6-12 ~11 10,000 ~16 15,000 ~21 20,000
Rwanda/EAC Resident children 6 – 2 30 45 60
International Visitor children 6 – 12 50 75 100

Children 5 or below do not pay entry fees

Entry fees are not charged beyond 3 nights for up to one week

Visitors who stay outside the park are considered day visitors and have to pay each time they enter the park. Plan your Akagera safari with staying inside at Akagera Game Lodge and Ruzizi Tented Lodge (in the south), Karenge Bush Camp and Magashi Camp (in the north). Camping grounds & facilities are also available in the park.

Vehicle entry fees in Akagera National Park

Details USD
Vehicle / Minibus (Rwandan/EAC registered) 10
Omnibus / bus / overlander (Rwa/EAC reg.) 20
Vehicle / Minibus (Foreign registered) 40
Omnibus / bus / overlander (Foreign reg.) 100

Hiring a park guide for game drive in the park (if you want one, not mandatory)

Duration USD
Per guide / ½ day 25
Per guide / full day 40

Guides picked up from the reception before 9am and returned to the same reception within 5 hours will be considered as ½ day activity. Guides picked up from reception after 9am will be charged for a full day, unless the guide is returned before 12 midday. Guides picked up after midday will be charged ½ day.

Guides picked up at the reception and travelling with guests through the park, exiting from the north, will be charged for a full day, regardless of the time taken. If you wish to exit from the north with a guide, please drop the guide off at Kayonza, they will then catch public transport back to the park (transport fees will be covered by the park for park guides). If you cannot drop the guide at Kayonza, please cover their transport fee from the north gate to Kayonza, this does not exceed 5,000 RWF. If a guide is requested to accompany a visitor to Karenge Bush Camp overnight, an additional fee of 20,000 RWF is applied for the guides accommodation and food at Karenge.

Activities in Akagera Park and pricing

Activity Adult (13+ years) Children (6 – 12 years)
USD USD
Night drive (operated by AMC) pp/2.5hrs / vehicle, driver, guide/min. 2/max. 7 40 25
Fishing Pp per day (own equipment) 25 15
Boat trip – scheduled morning/day Price pp / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 35 20
Boat trip – scheduled sunset trip Price pp / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 45 30
Boat trip – private, non-scheduled Per boat / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 180
Camping Price pp / night 25 15
Behind the scenes tour Price pp / min 4 pax / 1.5 hrs 25 15
Group rate for 8+ pax / 1.5 hrs 180
Game drive day (AMC operated) ½ day max. 5hrs/vehicle, driver, guide/max. 7 180
Full day / vehicle, driver, guide / max. 7 pax 280
Walk the Line 7km walk along the fence / min. 3 approx. 2 hrs 30 20
Community Cultural Experiences Various activities offered / half day / min. 3 pax 30 20
Rhino tracking Min. 2 pax & max 4pax / Only guests at Karenge Bush Camp 75
Balloon safari Min. 2 pax & max 4pax / Only guests at Karenge Bush Camp $450 (int.)
$350 (resident)
$250 (citizen)

Night drives are operated by the park (Akagera Management Company) and they provide a car, driver and spotlights. The Night drives begin at 5.30pm and end around 8 – 8.30pm. You are picked and dropped at your lodge, and only in the south of the park.

Boat trips are scheduled at the following times:

  • 7:30 – 8:30am
  • 9:00 – 10:00am
  • 3:00 – 4:00pm
  • 4:30 – 6:00pm (sunset trip)

Private boat trips can be organized and are charged at a flat rate for the boat, not per person. These should be booked at non-scheduled times starting between 10.30am – 1.30pm.

Rhino tracking is done in the north of Akagera national park (Kilala plains) and is therefore available to only guests staying at the Karenge Bush Camp that is located in the north overlooking the Kilala plains.

Other Akagera park fees

Item   USD
Tent hire Per 6-man (3m x 3m) canvas tent (south sites) 20
Recovery fee Breakdown or assistance from the park 70
Recovery fee coasters Breakdown or assistance from the park 150
Fines For breaking any park rules & regulations 150
Landing fee Per landing within Akagera 50
Research fee Contact the management prior to any research 200
Ranger assistance fee For researchers / per day / conditions apply* 25
Commercial filming / photography Per day. Contact the park for all filming 300

Annual pass

USD RWF
Rwandan/EAC Citizen Single pass 95,000
Rwandan/EAC Citizens Couples pass 150,000
Rwandan/EAC Citizens Family pass 205,000
Rwandan/EAC Resident Single pass 300
Rwandan/EAC Residents Couples pass 500
Rwandan/EAC Residents Family pass 700

Annual fees do NOT include park fees and only a 10% discount is offered on activities. But you have unlimited tourist entry for a period of one year.

Book a tour to Akagera National Park

Have just day a day? Look for our 1 day trip to Akagera with prices on this list of 1 day trips from Kigali that we organize.

Otherwise if you want to spend at least a night you can book one of these trips:

2 day safari trip to Akagera National Park

3 day Akagera national park tour

Top 5 things a tourist should not do in Uganda

Uganda is one of the most liberal countries with some of the friendliest people in Africa and the world. There is not so much to worry about that you may do and cause you trouble with the locals. The Ugandan people are very kind and accommodative of foreigners, that even when a foreigner is in the wrong, he or she shall be handled with kindness most of the times. They understand the foreigner is not aware of much of the traditions and norms of the community.

Planning for your gorilla trip in Uganda or a long safari vacation in Uganda? Below are some of the things to avoid doing when visiting Uganda to avoid raising eyebrows and keep you from trouble:

Taking pictures of locals without their consent

Children are excited to have their pictures taken and will even invite you to take them. It is however different with adults. Most people do not want their pictures taken by a stranger. If you see an individual with a colorful dress or engaged in an activity you find interesting and want to take a picture, please approach them and ask for their permission.

However if the face is not very visible from your angle you can “steal” a shot without their knowledge.

Taking pictures of security personnel and installations

This is perhaps a standard everywhere, taking pictures of the country’s security personnel and security installations is prohibited. Once caught the repercussions can be dire. Large bridges over water are normally protected by military which may not be in view, so before taking a picture of a bridge establish if there is security, or simply avoid taking pictures of bridges (especially over the River Nile). You will cross security-manned bridges over the Nile in the east (say if you are on the day trip to Jinja or visiting Sipi Falls) and also towards the north (especially on the safari tour to Murchison Falls National Park).

Wearing skimpy especially in rural areas

A large part of the country is still very traditional that revealing of skin (especially for women) is considered immoral. A lady tourist putting on small shorts will draw excitement (close to sexual harassment) from the young men and scorn from the adults.

However, on the contrary, in parts of north eastern Uganda among the Karimojong people, nudity is in fact part of tradition that you will be surprised to find adult people who simply cover their reproductive organs and leave the rest of the body uncovered. Other young men can move completely naked! You will meet this interesting group of people with this unique culture if you planned a safari trip to Kidepo Valley National Park.

Public show of affection e.g. kissing

Public show of affection such as kissing is considered immoral for the traditional and religious Ugandan society. The traditional way of showing affection publicly is by hugging and handshake. If you want to kiss on the lips it is best to find somewhere private such as in a hotel or where there won’t be any onlookers.

Taking a random boda-boda motorcycle taxi

Jumping on a motorcycle taxi (locally called boda-boda) looks enticing when you want to get somewhere quick in the chaotic Kampala City, but you are one second away from getting crippled or even death. The motorcycle taxis are famous for being the most reckless mode of transport and are one of the biggest threats to safety in the cities. This and more are covered in our blog where we discuss the top safety concerns for tourists in Uganda and how to tourists can keep safe. Please check it out for more.