Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah type national park, located in the north east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, roughly about thee hour’s drive from Kigali. Akagera National Park covers about 1,120km² and is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, first gazetted in 1934.

Wildlife in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is the only Savannah park in Rwanda and is home to several mammal species including Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Kobs, Zebras, Bushbucks, Waterbucks and most recently Black Rhinos have been introduced from South Africa, making Akagera national park officially a big 5 park like it was many years ago. It is also home to numerous bird species in the several habitats which include woodland, swamps, lakes and Savannah.

It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera among the most scenic of reserves anywhere in Africa. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa.

The north of Akagera is mostly fairly low-lying grasslands and savannah plains, similar in feel to the ‘traditional’ safari areas of East Africa. To the west are rolling hills and valleys more typical of Rwandan countryside while to the east, the Akagera River feeds into a series of lakes, marshes and papyrus swamps that constitute central and eastern Africa’s largest protected wetlands. So, for a fairly small National Park, an Akagera safari can be extremely diverse with a variety of habitats, wildlife and birds, and some lovely scenery.

Akagera National Park combines well with Nyungwe National Park which is known for the nature walk, canopy walk and chimpanzee tracking and the Volcanoes National Park for its golden monkeys and gorillas to offer a great safari element as it is home to many large plains game species as well as species restricted to the papyrus swamps such as the Sitatunga and the sought-after Shoebill Stork. Notable plains game includes elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope are duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala. Of the primates, olive baboons, velvets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with bush babies often seen on night drives.

Activities in Akagera National Park.

Akagera offers a variety of tourism activities, some of which require minimum participant number. If you would like to learn more about these activities, please contact us via email below, ask park staff upon arrival or speak to your lodge of choice.

Boat Trips

Travelers seeking a variation on the typical safari should consider a boat trip on Lake Ihema, where you can drift along the forest-fringed body of water in the midst of hippos and crocodiles. For serious birders, a boat trip is a must. Outings take place four times a day, at 7.30am, 9am, 3pm and 4.30pm. Non-scheduled, private trips can also be arranged.

Fishing

Lake Shakani is the perfect site for sport fishing. Spend a relaxing day fishing from the shores of the lake before cooking your catch over an open fire at your campsite. Please bring your own equipment.

Behind the Scenes

For additional insights into Akagera, take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of park headquarters, where you’ll meet employees integral to park management while learning about exciting conservation developments.

Night Drive

Guided night drives that commence at sunset are a fantastic way to cap off your day in the park. Night drives offer the best chance of seeing nocturnal wildlife, from lions to leopards which are among the most sought-after sightings! Night drives are operated by the park’s safari vehicle, which can accommodate up seven guests.

Walk the Line

Spend the morning in the shoes of one of Akagera’s fence attendants, who walk a portion of the 120-km perimeter fence on a daily basis to make sure the fence remains intact and is fully operational. These walks, which run alongside the park exterior, begin at the park entrance, are seven km long, and take visitors into the hills. When you come to the end, you’ll be atop a ridge that enjoys spectacular views in every direction. Walks are led by freelance community guides and take approximately two hours.

Community Cultural Experiences

Working with local communities and Akagera staff, our Community Freelance Guides have developed several cultural experiences to share with guests. Learn about milking cows and traditions around cattle and milk on a farm in the Eastern Province; or spend time with banana beer and honey artisans to see see how local products are made. All revenues generated by these visits are shared with members of the communities you visit.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park.

There are a number of accommodation facilities in Akagera National Park ranging from lodges, campsite to tented lodges.

The accommodation includes, Akagera campsites, Karenge Bush Camp, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Magashi Camp, Akagera Rhino Lodge and Akagera Game Lodge

Entrance to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is located in the north Eastern region of Rwanda about 110 kn from Kigali the capital of Rwanda, a comfortable 2-3 hour drive from Kigali and can be visited on a long day trip if you’re short of time.

The only entry to Akagera National Park is via Kiyonza Gate in the south, close to the Park Headquarters and Akagera’s best lodge. (Nyungwe Gate in the north is currently only available to exit the Park). You can exit with northern gate or southern gate. The northern gate is only used for entry by those staying at Magashi Tented Camp

Kiyonza Gate

This gate is located in the southern part of the park, mostly used by the majority of the visitor’s to the park. All those heading to the park uses this gate, except only those staying at Magashi Tented Camp accommodation as their trip is private and exclusive.

Those doing short game drives or sleeping at the lodges at the south, can as well use the gate to exit, though majority uses they northern gate to exit after their long day game drives.

Nyungwe Gate

This gate is located in the northern and always used as an exit out of the park. It’s located far away at the edge of the park, alongside the wire fence.

Both during entrance and exit you will be registered. At the entrance, always your driver registers the vehicle, and during exit, a receipt of prove of payment is presented to the park gate before exit.

Contact us for more information!