Rwanda's Big Five Savannah of Lakes and Rolling Hills
In the warm lowlands of eastern Rwanda lies a different country altogether — golden savannah, papyrus swamps and a chain of shining lakes where elephant wade and hippo yawn. Reborn under African Parks, Akagera is now a Big Five reserve, with lions and rhinos returned to the plains and boat safaris on Lake Ihema. It is the perfect wild counterpoint to the misty gorilla forests of the west.
Fully private, unhurried and all-inclusive — from the classic Big Five safari of lakes to the ultimate Rwanda journey pairing Akagera's savannah with mountain gorillas and ancient rainforest. Private guides, the finest lodges above the lakes and every detail crafted entirely around you.
Rwanda's Big Five Savannah of Lakes and Rolling Hills
Rwanda's Big Five Savannah of Lakes and Rolling Hills
Rwanda's Big Five Savannah of Lakes and Rolling Hills
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.
Rwanda's Big Five surprise and one of Africa's great conservation comebacks. From tracking lion and leopard across golden savannah to cruising Lake Ihema past hippo pods and basking crocodiles, from spotting reintroduced black rhino to retiring to a lodge above the water — Akagera rewards every moment. Here is what makes it unforgettable.
Reintroduced in 2015 after a long absence — prides are now thriving on the plains
Herds gather at the lakes and along the Kagera wetlands
Eastern black rhinos returned in 2017, restoring the Big Five
Masai giraffe browse the acacia woodland of the northern hills
Some of Africa's densest hippo populations crowd Lake Ihema
Great herds of zebra, topi, impala, eland and roan roam the plains
Where the Akagera story unfolds. Track big cats across the savannah at dawn, cruise Lake Ihema past hippos and elephants coming down to drink, join a behind-the-scenes conservation experience, and toast the sunset from a lodge above the lakes — each one built into your itinerary by your private concierge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Akagera is the wild, sun-warmed half of Rwanda — pair it with the misty peaks and ancient forests that make this the most complete safari country on the continent. Trek mountain gorillas, walk the canopy of Nyungwe, or unwind on the shores of Lake Kivu — each of these curated escapes leads to a real itinerary our concierge will tailor entirely to you.
Looking for more Southern African safari and adventure experiences? Visit Gray Line South Africa — our sister company — for a full catalog of instant-book tours across the region, with live availability and instant confirmation.
Browse Gray Line South AfricaBrought back from the brink and now fully fenced and managed in partnership with African Parks, Akagera is one of the continent's greatest conservation triumphs. Lions returned in 2015 and black rhino in 2017, restoring the Big Five to a landscape of rolling savannah, papyrus swamp and a chain of a dozen lakes along the Tanzanian border. Boat safaris glide past hippo and crocodile, leopard prowl the ridges and elephant herds move through the acacia. This is Rwanda's wild, warm counterweight to its misty volcanoes.
Akagera is the wild, warm finale to a Rwandan honeymoon — sundowners over the lakes, private boat cruises and starlit dinners after days among the gorillas of the west.
Cruise Lake Ihema at golden hour with a glass in hand as hippo grunt and eagles call.
Magashi's six suites offer barefoot luxury and total privacy in the game-rich north.
Track lion and rhino together, then return to camp for a candlelit dinner under the stars.
Pair the emotion of the gorillas with the romance of the savannah for a complete honeymoon.
Akagera is the wild, sun-warmed half of Rwanda. Track the Big Five across its savannah of lakes, then climb into the mountains to trek gorillas in the Volcanoes, walk the canopy of Nyungwe, or cross into the Masai Mara. We'll weave it all into one seamless itinerary.
Rwanda's two flagship parks offer utterly different experiences — here's how Akagera compares to the gorilla forests.
The long dry season brings the finest game viewing, as thinning vegetation and shrinking water sources concentrate wildlife around the lakes.
Warm days, cool nights, little rainA second fine window between the rains, with warm, largely dry days and green surrounds.
Warm & mostly dryThe green seasons bring lush plains, superb birding and newborn animals, with fewer visitors and excellent value.
Lush and green, frequent afternoon rainThe practical details that make a Rwanda safari effortless — gathered from years of crafting private Big Five and gorilla itineraries for our guests.
Unlike the cool gorilla parks, Akagera is a warm, low-lying malaria zone. Bring prophylaxis, repellent and long sleeves for dawn and dusk.
A Lake Ihema boat safari is Akagera's signature — book the late-afternoon cruise for the best light and birdlife.
Akagera is the ideal savannah counterpoint to Volcanoes. Allow a half-day transfer between the two, or fly.
With 490+ bird species and wide plains, good binoculars transform the experience — especially on the lake.
Akagera is one of the few Rwandan parks offering guided night drives — a great chance for leopard, hyena and bushbabies.
The plains game and big cats reward a 200–400mm lens; mornings and late afternoons give the softest light.
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.
From the tented luxury of Magashi Camp on the Ihema shoreline to the lodges and eco-retreats around the park, the most coveted addresses in Rwanda's savannah of lakes, each held for you by our concierge.
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.
Wilderness's flagship Rwandan camp, six tented suites overlooking a lake in the game-rich north of the park.
Relais & Châteaux · Wilderness CollectionFromR 29,280per 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.
An eco-friendly tented lodge on the shores of Lake Ihema, with hippo and birdlife on the doorstep.
Green Destinations recognisedFromR 6,405per 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.
A relaxed hilltop lodge with a pool and panoramic views over the park's chain of lakes.
Established park lodgeFromR 4,026per person, per night
Akagera is compact, accessible and genuinely wild — here is what makes a luxury safari here so special.
Lions and Eastern black rhinos have been successfully reintroduced, restoring the full Big Five to a park that had lost them — one of Africa's proudest conservation triumphs.
Few parks let you cruise among hippo and crocodile on a lake in the morning and track lion across the plains in the afternoon. Akagera offers both.
Managed by African Parks with the Rwandan government, Akagera funds itself through tourism and has transformed relations with its neighbouring communities.
Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kigali, with far fewer vehicles than East Africa's famous parks — sightings feel private and unhurried.
Akagera's warm savannah is the ideal counterpoint to the cool gorilla forests, turning a single-experience trip into a complete Rwandan safari.
Every journey is privately guided, fully bonded and backed by our 4.9/5 rating from more than 200,000 guests since 2008 — with a dedicated concierge from first enquiry to final farewell.
Yes. With the reintroduction of lions in 2015 and Eastern black rhinos in 2017, Akagera is once again a Big Five park — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are all present, alongside giraffe, zebra, hippo and abundant plains game.
The southern gate is about 110 km from Kigali — a scenic drive of roughly two and a half hours on good roads. This makes Akagera one of the most accessible savannah parks in Africa, ideal as an add-on to gorilla trekking.
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best game viewing, when wildlife concentrates around the lakes. The green seasons bring lush scenery, wonderful birding and excellent value, with wildlife present year-round.
Absolutely — and we highly recommend it. Akagera's warm savannah is the perfect counterpoint to the cool gorilla forests of Volcanoes National Park. A classic Rwanda itinerary pairs two or three nights of gorilla trekking with two nights on safari in Akagera.
Yes, being a warm, low-lying savannah park, Akagera is a malaria zone, unlike the higher, cooler gorilla parks. We advise antimalarial prophylaxis, insect repellent and covering up at dawn and dusk — your doctor can advise on the best options.
Lake Ihema boat safaris pass large pods of hippo, basking crocodiles and superb birdlife, from African fish eagles and pelicans to, occasionally, the extraordinary shoebill. Elephant and buffalo are often seen drinking at the shore.
Two nights allow for a good mix of game drives and a boat safari; three nights let you explore the park more fully, including the wildlife-rich north around Magashi. Most guests combine Akagera with the gorillas for a four-to-seven-day Rwandan safari.
Tell us how you love to travel and we'll shape a private Rwanda journey around you — every game drive, every boat safari, every gorilla permit and every sunset above the lakes taken care of. One dedicated concierge, start to finish.