rwanda

Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit: June–September (best wildlife viewing); December–February also excellent and quieter
Country: rwanda

Highlights

Rwanda's only Big Five savanna park (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo)
Largest protected wetland in Central Africa with Lake Ihema and 10 other lakes
Boat safaris along the Akagera River and Lake Ihema
Behind-the-scenes lion and rhino tracking experiences
Just 2.5 hours from Kigali by road

Wildlife

Lion (reintroduced 2015)Black rhino (reintroduced 2017)African elephantCape buffaloLeopardGiraffe, zebra, impala, eland, topiHippopotamus and Nile crocodile490+ bird species including the shoebill stork

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savanna park, and the only place in the country where travelers can see the Big Five. Spread across the rolling hills, lakes, and papyrus swamps of eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, the park is a remarkable conservation comeback story. In the 1990s, post-genocide poaching reduced the wildlife population to a fraction of its historic numbers. African Parks took over management in 2010, and the park has been transformed.

Wildlife you can see

Lions were reintroduced in 2015 (seven from South Africa) and now number more than 30. Black rhinos returned in 2017 after a 15-year absence. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and buffalo are abundant. The 1,200 km2 park is also home to leopards, hyenas, impalas, elands, topi, and over 490 bird species, including the famous shoebill stork.

What to do

Game drives are the main activity. Half-day, full-day, and night drives are available. Sunrise and sunset drives offer the best wildlife viewing. Lions are most active in the early morning and late afternoon.

Boat safaris on Lake Ihema are a unique Akagera experience. Hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds, and elephants drinking at the shoreline. The boat departs from the Akagera Park Headquarters dock and runs 1-2 hours.

Behind-the-scenes experiences include lion tracking with researchers (joining the team as they monitor collared lions via radio telemetry) and rhino tracking on foot or by 4x4. These are intimate conservation-focused experiences, run by African Parks rangers.

Sport fishing on Lake Shakani is permitted with a permit. Tilapia and catfish are the main catches.

How to get there

Akagera is roughly 2.5 hours from Kigali by road. The most common access is via the south gate near Kibungo, which connects directly with most Kigali-based itineraries. The park is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM.

Accommodation

The main lodging inside the park is Magashi Camp (Wilderness Safaris, ultra-luxury) and Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Akagera’s flagship luxury option). Akagera Game Lodge (mid-range) is also available within the park, and several lodges sit just outside the gates.