Booking a safari to Akagera National Park is a great way to experience Rwanda. As the only Savannah park in the country, Akagera offers experiences not found elsewhere in Rwanda, including the chance to see all the “Big Five” animals. Explore Rwanda safari packages to see how Akagera fits into your trip.
Akagera National Park (Parc National de l’Akagera) is located in the northeastern part of Rwanda, near the border with Tanzania to the east. The park gets its name from the River Kagera, which flows along its eastern border.
Akagera National Park was established in 1934 and is one of the largest protected wetland areas in Africa. Swamps and lakes make up nearly one third of the park. The park is mostly made up of swamps, marshes, papyrus wetlands, woodlands, lakes, grasslands, and Savannah plains, making it rich in biodiversity and an excellent habitat for wildlife.
History and Background
Before the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Akagera covered 2,500 square kilometers. However, parts of the park were later given to refugees returning after the genocide. The park now covers 1,122 square kilometers.
In the past, Akagera had the largest population of wild dogs in the region, but the Belgian government, which ruled Rwanda at the time, saw them as pests. The last wild dogs were seen in 1984, before an epidemic wiped them out.
Location and Getting There
Akagera National Park is in Kayonza District, in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. The park sits on the Rwanda-Tanzania border and is just a few kilometers from the Ugandan border. It is easy to reach Akagera from Kigali. If traveling from Uganda, you can use the Ntungamo-Mirama Hills border post.
Akagera Park Entrance Fees
Foreign non-residents pay $100 for 1 night, $150 for 2 nights, and $200 for 3 nights per person. Rwandan and East African residents pay $50, $75, and $100 for 1, 2, and 3 nights respectively. Rwandan and East African nationals pay $16 (15,000 RWF), $24 (22,500 RWF), and $32 (30,000 RWF) for the same durations.
Foreign non-resident children aged 6 and above pay $50, $75, and $100 for 1, 2, and 3 nights. Resident children in the same age group pay $30, $45, and $60, while national children pay $11 (10,000 RWF), $16 (15,000 RWF), and $21 (20,000 RWF). Children under 5 enter free.
Prices are charged per person. Visitors are not allowed to enter the park after 6:00 p.m. local time.
Animals in Akagera National Park
Akagera is home to many wildlife species, including buffaloes, zebras, bushbucks, Masai giraffes, elands, topis, hyenas, warthogs, oribis, sitatungas, Defassa waterbuck, roan antelopes, sable antelopes, reedbucks, civets, and various primates.
Night game drives allow visitors to see nocturnal animals like leopards and hyenas.
Other primates, such as vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and silver monkeys, also live in the park.
The Big Five Animals in Akagera
During the 1994 civil war in Rwanda, all lions in the park were killed, leaving Rwanda without lions for over 15 years.
Lions were later reintroduced, and Eastern black rhinos were also brought in. Today, Akagera is home to all the “Big Five” animals, and visitors can spot them on game drives in the park.
Size of Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park now covers 1,122 square kilometers, down from 2,500 square kilometers before the 1994 genocide, after some of the land was given to returning refugees.
Akagera is the second largest national park in Rwanda, after Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Tourism Activities: What to Do
Akagera National Park offers many activities for tourists, including game drives, boat cruises, fishing, nature walks, camping, bird watching, and more.
As Rwanda’s only savannah park, the main activity here is game viewing. The park has many species of animals, and the northern part is the best area for game drives.
Boat Safari: A boat safari on Lake Ihema gives visitors a chance to see many animals, both in the water and along the shoreline, along with plenty of birds, making it a great bird watching experience.
Wildlife Viewing: For those wanting to enjoy Rwanda’s wildlife, booking a Rwanda wildlife safari in Akagera National Park is a strong choice, with plenty to see across the park.
Fishing Safaris: Fishing in Akagera takes place on Lake Shakani. Tourists can fish here if they bring their own equipment, and the best part is that you can keep your catch, cooked at your hotel for dinner or roasted by the lake while listening to the sounds of hippos. The most common fish in the lake are catfish and tilapia.
Bird Watching: Akagera National Park has over 500 bird species, making it a paradise for bird lovers. Visitors can spot swamp and forest birds, including the swamp flycatcher, shoebill stork, red-faced barbet, marabou stork, African fish eagle, lilac-breasted roller, Souza’s shrike, long-tailed cisticola, Ross’s turaco, papyrus gonolek, Archer’s robin-chat, and many others. The best times for birding are early morning or late afternoon.
Attractions: What to See
Akagera National Park has many attractions, including Lake Ihema, Lake Rwanyakizinga, Lake Mihindi, Lake Hago, Lake Kivumba, Lake Shakani, Lake Cyambwe, Lake Nasho, and Lake Mpanga. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s wildlife, birdlife, and much more.
The main reason to visit the park is for game viewing, and it is well known for its rewarding wildlife experiences.
Weather, Climate, and Altitude
Rwanda is a landlocked country bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
The country has a large plateau stretching from west to east, with elevations ranging from about 4,400 meters at the highest point to about 1,000 meters at the lowest.
Rwanda has two main types of tropical climate: wet-dry and moist. The longest rainy season usually starts in late March and ends in late May.
Because of its elevation, forests in Rwanda’s northern province stay moist all year. The best time to visit these areas is from June to October or December to late February. See our full best time to visit Rwanda guide for more detail.
Rwanda’s climate is influenced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which brings both wet and dry seasons to the country.
Where to Stay: Accommodation, Lodges, and Hotels
Unlike some other parks, Akagera does not have good accommodation options outside its boundaries. All the best lodges are located within the park.
Magashi Camp is a top choice for luxury travelers, while Ruzizi Tented Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp are good options for those looking for a more upscale experience. Akagera Game Lodge is a solid choice for budget and mid-range travelers.
It’s best to book your visit to Akagera months in advance, as accommodation options within the park are limited.
