Akagera National Park, along Rwanda's eastern border with Tanzania, is one of Africa's great conservation comeback stories. Named for the Kagera River that feeds its labyrinth of lakes and papyrus swamps, this is the country's only savannah park — a sweep of acacia woodland, grassy plains and shimmering water that could not feel more different from the volcanic forests of the west. Two decades ago poaching had emptied much of the park; since 2010, a partnership between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board has transformed its fortunes. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and Eastern black rhinos in 2017, restoring the Big Five, while wildlife numbers have surged past 12,000 animals. Today you can track lion across the plains, watch elephant and buffalo at the water's edge, spot towering giraffe and zebra among the hills, and cruise Lake Ihema — home to some of Africa's densest concentrations of hippo and crocodile — as fish eagles cry overhead. Malaria-precautions aside, Akagera is easy, uncrowded and deeply rewarding, and it pairs beautifully with gorilla trekking for a complete Rwandan safari.
The savannah that Rwanda almost lost — and won back. Akagera is a living conservation story. We take you into it with the guides and rangers who made the comeback happen, then pair it with the gorillas for a complete Rwanda.
At a glance, Akagera National Park, Rwanda spans 1,122 km² park, big five & savannah game, protected since National Park 1934 — and the best time to be here is typically Jun – Sep & Dec – Feb.
A Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
As the afternoon softens, you board a boat on Lake Ihema, the second-largest lake in Rwanda. Pods of hippo grunt and jostle in the shallows; enormous crocodiles bask on the banks; and along the papyrus fringe, African fish eagles throw back their heads and call. Elephant come down to drink, and the birdlife — from pelicans to the improbable shoebill — is extraordinary. It is a gentle, magical way to experience a savannah park, and utterly different from the classic game drive.
- Cruise past hippo pods and basking crocodiles on Lake Ihema
- Superb birding, including pelicans, fish eagles and the elusive shoebill
- Elephant and buffalo drinking at the water's edge
- A serene, golden-hour counterpoint to the morning game drive
Why Go
- Rwanda's only Big Five park — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino
- Boat safaris on Lake Ihema past hippo, crocodile and fish eagles
- A flagship African Parks turnaround — from poached-out to thriving
- Classic savannah game drives beneath acacia and rolling hills
- Behind-the-scenes conservation and rhino-tracking experiences
- The perfect wild finale to a Rwandan gorilla journey
🦍 Planning Your Gorilla Trekking?
For the complete gorilla trekking resource - expert guides, honest costs, luxury lodges, curated itineraries, and everything you need to plan your trip - visit our comprehensive hub:
View Complete Gorilla Trekking Hub →The Wildlife You Come For
Of the Big Five you can expect Lion, Elephant and Black Rhino here. Here is what the guiding team looks for on a typical few days in the bush.
Lion. Reintroduced in 2015 after a long absence — prides are now thriving on the plains
Elephant. Herds gather at the lakes and along the Kagera wetlands
Black Rhino. Eastern black rhinos returned in 2017, restoring the Big Five
Giraffe. Masai giraffe browse the acacia woodland of the northern hills
Hippopotamus. Some of Africa's densest hippo populations crowd Lake Ihema
Zebra & Antelope. Great herds of zebra, topi, impala, eland and roan roam the plains
On Safari: What to Do
Big Five Game Drives
Half to full day · Game Drive
Explore Akagera's mosaic of plains, woodland and wetland in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and the reintroduced black rhino. Morning and afternoon drives with expert guides reveal the park's remarkable recovery.
Best for: First-time safari-goers, Photographers, Families.
Lake Ihema Boat Safari
2–3 hours · Water Safari
Cruise the papyrus-lined shores of Lake Ihema among hippo, crocodile and a wealth of waterbirds. A tranquil, scenic way to experience the park and some of its best photography.
Best for: Birders, Couples, Photographers.
Behind-the-Scenes Conservation
Half day · Conservation
Go behind the scenes with the African Parks team to learn how Akagera was brought back from the brink — from anti-poaching and community work to the tracking of lions and rhinos fitted with monitoring collars.
Best for: Conservationists, Curious travellers, Families.
Night Game Drive
2–3 hours · Game Drive
Head out after dark with a spotlight to find Akagera's nocturnal residents — bushbabies, genets, hyena, and if you are lucky, leopard or lion on the move. A thrilling, atmospheric way to see a different side of the park.
Best for: Adventurous travellers, Photographers, Couples.
Plains Game & Giraffe Country
Full day · Game Drive
Spend a full day among the rolling hills of the north, where giraffe browse the acacias and huge herds of zebra, topi, impala and eland graze the open plains beneath big skies.
Best for: Photographers, Families, Wildlife lovers.
Where to Stay
We hand-pick every camp and lodge we use in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. These are the addresses we return to, chosen for their guiding, their location and the way they make the wilderness feel like your own.
Magashi Camp ★★★★★
From $1600 per person per night. Wilderness's exclusive tented camp in the wildlife-rich north of Akagera — six elegant suites on a peninsula, with some of the park's best lion, leopard and shoebill sightings on the doorstep.
- 6 luxury tented suites
- Overlooks Lake Rwanyakazinga
- Wilderness Safaris flagship
- Big-cat and shoebill country
Relais & Châteaux · Wilderness Collection
Ruzizi Tented Lodge ★★★★
From $350 per person per night. An intimate, eco-conscious tented lodge tucked into lakeside forest on Lake Ihema, where hippo graze past the tents at night and the birding is superb.
- 9 tented rooms on Lake Ihema
- Eco-friendly design
- Waterside dining
- Hippo at the shoreline
Green Destinations recognised
Akagera Game Lodge ★★★★
From $220 per person per night. A comfortable, well-priced lodge on a rise above the lakes, with a pool, spa and sweeping views — a relaxed base for exploring the park.
- Hilltop setting
- Swimming pool & spa
- Panoramic lake views
- Family-friendly
Established park lodge
The Seasons, Explained
Long Dry Season (Jun – Sep). The long dry season brings the finest game viewing, as thinning vegetation and shrinking water sources concentrate wildlife around the lakes. Wildlife: prime conditions; weather Warm days, cool nights, little rain.
Short Dry Season (Dec – Feb). A second fine window between the rains, with warm, largely dry days and green surrounds. Wildlife: excellent; weather Warm & mostly dry.
Green Seasons (Mar – May & Oct – Nov). The green seasons bring lush plains, superb birding and newborn animals, with fewer visitors and excellent value. Wildlife: good year-round; weather Lush and green, frequent afternoon rain.
Getting to Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Akagera is the most easily reached savannah park in the region — a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive east from Kigali on good tarred roads brings you to the southern gate. Helicopter transfers are available for those short on time, and the park pairs seamlessly with Volcanoes National Park to combine gorillas and Big Five in a single trip.
- Kigali: 2.5-hour drive to the southern gate (110 km)
- Volcanoes NP: 4–5-hour transfer (230 km)
- Kigali (by air): Helicopter transfers available (—)
Where to Go Next
The finest journeys rarely stop at one destination. Here is how our specialists most often pair Akagera National Park, Rwanda:
- Rwanda Volcanoes — Pair the Big Five savannah with the mountain gorillas for the definitive Rwanda safari.
- Rwanda Nyungwe — Add the ancient rainforest and its chimpanzees for a three-park Rwandan journey.
- Masai Mara Kenya — Combine with the Mara's plains for a classic East African big-game finale.
Plan Your Journey
Every trip we craft to Akagera National Park, Rwanda is private and built around you — your dates, your pace and the wildlife you most want to see. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Contact our team to begin planning, or explore our Akagera National Park, Rwanda destination guide for more detail.
