Ruzizi Tented Camp in Akagera national park

Ruzizi Tented Camp is among the luxury accommodation facilities that are found within Akagera national park on the banks of Lake Ihema. Tourists that stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp do get opportunities to spot some of the water animals and birds as well as park animals grooming around the area. It is said that this lodge is the best of all luxury lodges in Akagera national park and you can access it by road transport from Rwanda in just 2 hours.

Akagera national park is located in the northeastern region of Rwanda on the borders of Tanzania. There are so many national parks in Rwanda but what makes Akagera unique and famous is that it’s the only savannah park in the country and it harbors a number of animals that are over 8000. The park covers a total area of 1,122 sq. km comprising of woodlands, savannah, and swamps.

Ruzizi Tented Camp has 9 en-suite tents that are built in an African style with grass-thatched roofs. The tents are well constructed with each having a private balcony which gives you stunning views of Lake Ihema, the rooms have flushing toilets, large beds, mosquito nets, hot and cold showers, televisions, a dressing area, and free WiFi. The area has an outdoor fireplace, gift shop, bar with all types of drinks, and a restaurant with experienced chefs that cook delicious local and international dishes.

Activities you can do while staying at Ruzizi Tented Camp

Game viewing in Akagera national park

Game viewing is that one activity you shouldn’t miss out on while having a stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp. The game viewing activity can be done in Akagera national park in the morning or evening hours. The game drives in this park will give you an opportunity to spot different attractions within the park like the vegetation, lakes, River Kagera, animals such as zebras, buffaloes, duikers, Klipspringers, rhinos, impalas, lions, spotted hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, cape elands, roan antelopes, giraffes and much more.

Boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Tourists staying at Ruzizi Tented Camp and do enjoy the waters as well as animals and birds can join their driver and go out for the boat cruise at Lake Ihema inside Akagera national park in the morning or evening hours. The boat cruise does give opportunities of meeting different water animals such as hippos, and crocodiles. The boat cruise activity also enables tourists to spot some of the water birds around the lake shores like the African jacana, white-tailed blue monard, African harrier hawk, grey crowned crane, and much more. During the boat cruise, you will also spot some of the park animals on the shores of the lake like the antelopes, giraffes, elephants, and much more.

Birding

There are over 400 recorded bird species in Akagera national park and this is a great opportunity for tourists that are staying in Ruzizi Tented Camp. The birding activities can be done around Ruzizi Tented Camp or inside the park where well-trained guides will lead you to different birding spots while protecting you from dangerous wild animals.

Tourists stating at Ruzizi Tented Camp will spot a number of birds such as African grey hornbill, grey crowned crane, African jacana, papyrus ganalex, goliath heron, African rock pigeon, woodland kingfisher, white-faced whistling duck, woodland kingfisher, saddle-billed stork, palm-nut vulture, white-browed coucal, black-headed weaver, great egret, white-backed vultures, long-tailed cormorant, spur-winged goose, pin tailed whydah, African darter, eastern grey plantain-eater, lilac-breasted roller, crowned lapwing, lilac-breasted roller, crowned lapwing, grey-backed fiscal, white-browed coucal, red-billed fire finch, hamerkop, helmeted guinea fowl, and much more.

Other notable bird species in Akagera national park include grey-backed fiscal, palm nut vulture, eastern grey plantain eater, crested barbet, blue checked bee-eater, little bee-eater, lesser striped swallow, long created eagle, cattle egret, black-headed weaver, cardinal woodpecker, northern fiscal, marabou stork, saddle-billed stork, common squacco heron, ross’s turaco, grey crowned crane, and common squacco heron among others.

Nature walks

Tourists having a stay at Ruzizi Tented Camp can have a nature walk around the lodge or within Akagera national park. The nature walks are done at a fee and are guided by the well-trained armed ranger guides who take you around the different walking trails. During the nature walks, you will be able to see different park animals such as buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, antelopes, birds, and different vegetation types.

Cultural visits

Cultural visits around Akagera national park are always done to enable the tourists to interact with the local people. Tourists staying at Ruzizi Tented Camp can inform their drivers to take them to any of the nearby communities such as Humure Cultural Village in Rwanda where they will meet the locals, interact with the cattle keepers, watch them do day to day activities, taste their local foods, support their art and craft shops, and get entertained by the local traditional dancers.