Akagera National Park, located in the North East province of Rwanda, is mostly accessed by helicopter by tourists on a luxury budget because it is faster than road transport.
Reaching the beautiful Akagera National Park is a dream come true, giving you the chance to spot the Big Five as you prepare to explore the jungle for exclusive primate trekking.
Akagera was named after the River Akagera, which flows along the eastern boundary and pours its waters into a chain of lakes, with Lake Ihema being the largest.
Once in a helicopter, it takes only about thirty minutes from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, to Akagera National Park. The park covers about 1,100 km² and is filled with lush vegetation and different wild species.
Helicopters usually land at Magashi Camp helipad. For guests staying at Ruzizi Tented Camp, the helicopter lands close to the park headquarters. Make sure you have organized ground transfers to your accommodation, which is why it is important to double-check with your safari company to ensure everything is well arranged.
The helicopters flying to Akagera are operated by Akagera Aviation, which is fully approved by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. It is the first Rwandan company licensed in three areas of aviation and recognized as an air service operator. Akagera Aviation was later appointed as a Robinson Helicopter Dealership and service center.
The helicopters commonly used include:
- Agusta AW139, a leading intermediate twin-engine helicopter with strong safety design features, manufactured in 2010.
- Agusta A109S, a light six-seat helicopter used for passenger transport and emergency medical services, with a maximum weight of 380 kg (both body and luggage weight), manufactured by the Italian company Agusta.
- Agusta AW119 MKII, manufactured in 2017, with six seats and the same weight capacity as the Agusta A109S.
- Robinson R44, a portable helicopter with three seats and a standard 28-volt electrical system that ensures good starting performance in both hot and cold weather while providing extra electrical power for optional equipment.
Activities you can participate in while at Akagera include:
- Birding experience
- Wildlife viewing
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Cultural and community experience
- Sport fishing
- Nature walk
Fly beyond the skies in a helicopter and head to Akagera National Park.
