Akagera
Akagera National Park is Rwanda's only savannah park and the country's largest national park. It occupies the eastern border region where a complex of lakes, wetlands, savannah, and acacia woodland makes for a visually varied landscape.
Eastern Rwanda, bordering Tanzania
~1,122 km²
RDB & African Parks since 2010
A Story of Genuine Recovery
Akagera National Park is Rwanda's only savannah park and the country's largest national park. It occupies the eastern border region where a complex of lakes, wetlands, savannah, and acacia woodland makes for a visually varied landscape quite different from the volcanic terrain of western Rwanda.
The story of Akagera is one of near-total collapse and genuine recovery. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, the park lost two-thirds of its land to returning refugees and farmers. Lions were poisoned. Rhinos were poached to extinction. Since African Parks took joint management in 2010 — beginning with a 120km electric fence around the entire park boundary — the recovery has been systematic, science-led, and measurable.
“As of 2025, Akagera has 72 lions, 183 rhinos (both black and white), and 176 elephants. In June 2025, 70 additional southern white rhinos were translocated from South Africa as part of the continent-wide Rhino Rewild Initiative. National Geographic named Akagera one of the Best Places in the World to travel in 2026.”
The Big Five
Lion
Reintroduced in 2015. Current population of 72. Best viewed in the northern section.
Eastern black rhino
Reintroduced in 2017. Strictly monitored. Rhino tracking on foot is a dedicated activity.
Southern white rhino
First introduced in 2021 (30 individuals), then 70 more in June 2025. Population now over 100.
Elephant
Over 176 individuals. Readily seen on game drives, particularly near the lakeshores.
Leopard
Present throughout the park. Most frequently observed during early morning and night drives.
Buffalo
Most common large mammal. Reliable on nearly every game drive.
SPECIES RICHNESS
Other Wildlife
Beyond the Big Five, Akagera supports Rothschild's giraffe, Burchell's zebra, topi, impala, waterbuck, reedbuck, roan antelope, sitatunga (semi-aquatic, found in the papyrus wetlands), hiopo, and Nile crocodile. Primates include vervet monkeys, olive baboon, and black-and-white colobus.
Over 500 bird species are recorded — Akagera is one of Africa's most significant wetland birding sites, with shoebill stork in the papyrus zones.
EXPLORATION METHODS
Lake Safari & Foot Tracking
Akagera's unique wetland topography dictates dynamic activities on foot, by boat, and by open vehicles.
The northern sector around Mutumba Hills is the most productive for lion. The central and southern areas around the lake chain are excellent for elephant, giraffe, and wetland wildlife. Full-day drives covering both north and south are possible and recommended for comprehensive coverage.
A dedicated rhino tracking experience on foot is available at Karenge Bush Camp, where guided walks accompany rangers monitoring the park's growing rhino population. Guests walk with the same rangers who track these animals daily.
Lake Ihema is the largest of Akagera's lakes and supports enormous hippo pods and dense crocodile populations. A two-hour guided boat safari is one of the stronger wildlife-from-water experiences in Rwanda. The shoebill stork is occasionally seen in the papyrus fringes.
Night drives are permitted in Akagera. The park's open terrain and reliable road network make them logistically smooth. Good for leopard, serval, civet, and other nocturnal species.
Guided bush walks in designated areas give a ground-level perspective on the savannah ecosystem — tracking wildlife by sign, observing smaller species.
12-Month Seasonal Rating
Best Time to Visit
Akagera is a year-round destination. The dry seasons (June to September, December to February) offer firmer tracks and more concentrated wildlife. The wet seasons bring lush vegetation and excellent birdwatching.
Getting There
Approximately two to three hours by road from Kigali. The main park gate (Kayonza gate) is the standard approach.
How It Fits Into a Wider Journey
A classic Rwanda circuit combines Kigali (one night), Akagera (two nights), return to Kigali, then Volcanoes National Park (two nights). This gives both the gorilla and the Big Five experience within a single Rwanda journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Akagera compare to Tanzania or Kenya for safari?
Akagera is smaller and has lower overall wildlife density than the Serengeti or Masai Mara. What it offers that those parks cannot is the specific conservation story — the recovery from near-total collapse is visible and the guides understand it intimately. For clients prioritising maximum game density, the Serengeti or Maasai Mara are the stronger recommendation.
Can I see rhino in Akagera?
Yes. Both eastern black rhino and southern white rhino are present and actively monitored. Sightings on standard game drives are increasingly reliable as the population grows.
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