The Savannah wildlife Species of Rwanda: The Savannah wildlife of Rwanda includes species such as lions, leopards, elephants and gorillas. These animals are some of the most iconic and popular creatures in Africa, so it is no wonder that Rwanda has a proud heritage of wildlife conservation. Akagera National Park – Rwanda’s oldest and most popular park, located in the southwest of Rwanda close to the border with Tanzania. The park is made up of savannah and swampland inhabited by large mammals such as giraffes, elephants, buffalo and zebra. As well as being home to these famous African animals, the park is also home to over 500 species of birds and other wildlife.
Many of the national parks in Rwanda have been developed to protect these unique animal species from extinction. Here are just some of the famous species of Savannah wildlife that can be seen on safari tours in Rwanda:
- The lions are the dominant predators in the savannah areas of Africa and can be found across the continent. There are approximately 20,000 lions in the wild in Africa today, and they play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping down the numbers of other large mammals such as buffalo and zebras. Lions are powerful, majestic creatures. However, they are naturally very shy and rarely seen during the daytime when they are hunting or resting. In Rwanda, they can be found roaming freely in Akagera National Park, which is a vast game reserve on the border with Tanzania. The national park is home to a wide variety of animals including hyenas, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. On a safari tour to Akagera, visitors will have the chance to see lions in action in their natural habitat.
- Leopards are another iconic animal that can be found across the savannah areas of Rwanda. They are usually found living alongside lions in dense forests where there is an abundance of prey for them to hunt. They are also known to prey on monkeys and occasionally deer and smaller antelopes. Leopards can be difficult to see in the wild because they spend most of their time hiding in trees. There are several national parks in Rwanda where leopards can be spotted on a safari tour. These include Nyungwe Forest National Park in the north of the country, Volcanoes National Park in the center of the country and Akagera National Park in the south.
- Elephants are a very common sight on the savannah areas of Africa, where they have commonly seen grazing and playing with their friends. Although they look gentle and friendly, elephants can be very dangerous when provoked. They are the largest land animals in the world, weighing up to 5 tons. On your Rwanda safari tour, you can spot them relaxing near rivers and lakes or grazing in the forests at night. However, if you see an elephant getting too close to your vehicle during a game drive, make sure you stay inside and keep all of your doors and windows closed.
In Rwanda, the savannah covers much of the country, making it a great destination for a safari tour. The open plains are home to a variety of wild animals including gazelles, zebras, antelopes and warthogs. The best way to explore this beautiful landscape is to go on an early morning game drive in an open-top jeep.