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 lies wholly within Rwanda, with total coverage of 100 kilometers.
Counting lakes shared with neighboring nations, it is Rwanda’s third largest lake, following Lake Rweru, which covers 133 kilometers between Burundi and Rwanda, with Rwanda’s share covering only 47 kilometers, and Lake Kivu, which covers about 2,700 kilometers between Congo and Rwanda.
The lake is located in the district of Kayonza, in the southern section of Akagera National Park. It also features over a dozen additional lakes, of which Ihema is the largest.
The River Kagera feeds a number of lakes, including Lake Ihema. It sits at 1,292 meters above sea level, covers around 90 square kilometers, and varies in depth between 5 and 7 meters depending on the season.
What to Do and See on Lake Ihema
This biodiverse lake’s location within Akagera National Park provides an ideal habitat for hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife species.
A boat safari on Ihema is recommended for more adventurous visitors looking for a unique experience. Around the lake, there are several papyrus wetlands.
The papyrus also serves as a bird sanctuary for a variety of bird species within the park, making 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, including 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 hawks, white tailed blue monads, cardinal woodpeckers, grey crowned cranes, Levaillant’s cuckoos, slender billed weavers, 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 a variety of marine birds.
Lake Ihema is also a popular sport fishing destination for different visitors. Those interested in this activity should bring their own fishing gear, with tilapia being the most commonly caught species.
Because of its location in the park, Rwanda’s wildlife safari tourists can enjoy some of the best game drives in the country. Within minutes of driving, over 55 species of wildlife can be seen, including bushbucks, buffaloes, warthogs, oribis, waterbucks, and elephants.
How to Access Lake Ihema
Access to Akagera National Park, where these lakes are located, is by road from Kigali International Airport, 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, visitors can tour the park within about 2 to 3 hours of leaving the city.
Self-drive visitors are recommended to use private road transportation rather than public transportation, such as buses, since public transport takes longer to reach the park.
It is recommended that self-drive tourists engage a guide after entering the park. Guides can be hired at the park’s entrance, and finding one who is well informed about the park helps ensure a wholesome and enjoyable trip.
While touring Lake Ihema, you will have the opportunity to take part in additional activities and view numerous attractions in the park, including birding, game viewing, canoeing, and fishing.
The common fishing methods used on these lakes, by both locals and tourists, include gillnetting, spearing and shooting, the lampara method, cast netting, scoop netting, and hooking.
