Akagera National Park Rules And Regulations

Akagera National Park rules are the governing regulations that guide all tourists, locals and driver guides on how to conduct themselves while in the park.  The rules are intended for your safety and enjoyment, please strictly adhere to the park rules during your stay. Below are some of the park regulations:

• Akagera National Park is open to day visitors from 6am to 6pm. Day visitors must be leaving the park by 6pm. If you have not exited and we cannot get hold of you by phone we will start a search. Unless on paid night Game drives run by the park. This is done to minimize knocking of wild animals and birds which sometimes move lazily in their natural habitat. Reptiles like snakes, lizards and other slow moving animals can easily be knocked by night and very early drivers in the park.
• Visitors spending a night in Akagera national park must use designated campsites only, or a recognized overnight facility. No bush camping is allowed in Akagera for tourists protection. In set camping areas, make sure to light fire, but don’t leave fire unattended and make sure fires are fully extinguished before leaving to avoid any chance of accidental fires in the park.
• Do not drive off-road, keep to the designated roads only. This is very important to avoid getting lost, making ambiguous tracks and causing damage to the vegetation. whoever caught doing so, will pay a fine of $100.
• Avoid making motor horn sounds while in the park. Unnecessary sounds disturb or scare wild animals and birds while in their natural habitat.
• All drivers in the park are strictly ordered to drive below the speed of 40km per hour (25mph). It is aiming at minimizing accidents which can cost human and animal lives. All drivers should know that any time animals are crossing roads and over speeding increases chances of accidents. Note that not all roads are accessible by all vehicles, and during the wet season certain roads are closed. Please consult your guide, or ask at reception before your departure.
• Visitors must remain in their vehicles unless in a designated overnight facility, campsite or picnic area.
• Do not leave any litter, or throw any rubbish in the park. Please take out what you came with.
• Do not feed the animals within the park. As well as being unhealthy for the wildlife, this will result in bad behavior and could be dangerous for other guests.
• Avoid plucking leaves, flowers or uprooting plants in the park. Learn that, the parks are natural habitats for wildlife which should be conserved for future generation. The destroying of wild life habitat can force them shift to other safer places.
• You are responsible for ensuring you have a reliable vehicle, appropriate equipment and enough fuel for your journey inside the park. In the event of needing assistance from the park, a recovery fee of $150 is payable. – You may be asked to show your receipt on departure. Please keep this with you.
• Present all necessary documents at the park entry point for inspection. Move with your receipts, passports, and driver’s license for inspection if needed.
• Do not move with pet animals like Dogs, snakes, birds among others. When coming to the park, leave the domesticated animals and birds at home. Accidentally, your domestic pets can be eaten by wild animals if not carefully guarded and the reverse is true.
• Avoid carrying firearms to the park. Such ammunition can destruct the security in the park. You may be looked at as a threat to the wildlife and other visitors in the park.
• Avoid plucking leaves, flowers or uprooting plants in the park. Learn that, the parks are natural habitats for wildlife which should be conserved for future generation. The destroying of wild life habitat can force them shift to other safer places.