Lake Ihema is located in Akagera National Park; within the River Kagera’s wetlands. It empties into the river via a narrow passage. Lake Ihema is Rwanda’s largest lake that wholly lies within Rwanda with total coverage of 100 kilometers.
Counting lakes shared with neighboring nations, it is Rwanda’s largest third lake following Lake Rweru which covers 133 kilometers between Burundi and Rwanda with the latter having 47 kilometers coverage only, and Lake Kivu which covers about 2,700 kilometers between Congo and Rwanda.
The lake is located in the district of Kayonza in Akagera National Park’s southern section. It also features over a dozen additional lakes to which Ihema is the largest.
River Kagera feeds a slew of lakes to which Lake Ihema is inclusive. It’s at 1,292 meters above sea level. It covers around 90 square kilometers and varied in depth between 5-7 meters depending on the season.
What to do and see on Lake Ihema?
This bio diverse lake’s location within Akagera National Park provides an ideal habitat for hippos, crocodiles and other forms and species of wildlife.
A boat ride on the glistening Ihema is recommended for more adventurous visitors looking for a unique experience. Around the lake, there are several papyrus wetlands.
The papyrus also serve as bird sanctuaries for a variety of bird species within the park which makes Ihema an excellent birding destination.
There are numerous lovely lakes in Rwanda, but one stands out among them all, and that’s Lake Ihema. It has unique attractions and features not found on other lakes, making it an exceptional lake within Rwanda.
Lake Ihema is a birder’s paradise with over 500 species which include (but not limited to endangered and vulnerable species such as the papyrus gonolek and shoebill stork, as well as raptors, ibises, malachite kingfishers, herons, sandpipers, jacanas, sunbirds, flycatchers, African harrier hawk, white tailed blue monad, the cardinal woodpecker, grey crowned cranes, the levillant cuckoo, levillant cuckoo, slender-billed baglafetch, plovers, and many other endemic species.
An easy sail will take you to Ihema’s edge where you may see massive hippos, crocodiles sunning on the sands and variety of marine birds.
Lake Ihema is also a popular sport fishing destination for different visitors. Those interested in participating in this expedition should bring fishing gear, and tilapia is the commonest species caught.
Because of its location in the park, Rwanda’s wildlife safaris enthusiasts can enjoy the best game drives within the country. Within minutes of driving, over 55 species of wildlife can be seen, including bush bucks, buffaloes, warthogs, Oribis, water bucks and elephants.
How to access Lake Ihema?
Accessibility to Akagera National Park in which these lakes are located is by road from Kigali International Airport and is accessible either through the southern or northern gates depending on the visitor’s location.
Since the distance between Kigali and Akagera National Park is roughly 109 kilometers, the visitor is able to tour the park about 2-3 hours from the city.
Recommendation to self-drive visitors is to use private methods of road transportation rather than public transportation, such as buses, because public transportation, such as buses, take longer intervals to get to the park.
It is recommended that self-drive tourists engage a guide after they enter the park.
They can be hired at the park’s entrance. Finding one well informed about the park enables the visitor to have a wholesome entertaining trip and experience in the park.
While touring Lake Ihema, you will have an opportunity to participate in additional activities and view numerous attractions in the park which include birding, game viewing, canoeing and fishing.
The common methods of fishing used on these lakes for locals and tourists are the gill nesting, spearing and shooting method, the lampara method, cast net method, scoop net method and hooking.
