Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Five Savannah
Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. Rolling hills, open savannah, swamps and a chain of lakes cover the park. It is Rwanda’s only savannah park and the only place in the country to see the Big Five. As a result, it is the perfect contrast to the forests of the west.
Since 2010, the park has made a remarkable recovery. Lions returned in 2015, and black and white rhinos followed soon after. Today, African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board manage it together. You can read about this success on the African Parks website. For a ready-made trip, see our 4-day Akagera wildlife and Bwindi gorilla safari.
Things to Do in Akagera
Day drives follow tracks through the hills and plains. Along the way, you may see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and many antelope. With luck, you will also spot lions or rhinos.
A boat trip on Lake Ihema brings you close to hippos and crocodiles. In addition, the shores are rich in waterbirds such as fish eagles, herons and kingfishers. Trips run several times a day, and the late afternoon light is ideal for photos.
After dark, a new cast of animals appears. For example, you may find leopards, hyenas, genets and bush babies. Night drives run with park guides and spotlights.
The park records more than 480 bird species. In particular, the swamps hide the rare shoebill stork. See our birdwatching in Rwanda page for more.
The dry season from June to September is best for game viewing. During this time, animals gather near the lakes. Akagera is also just a two-hour drive from Kigali, so it suits short trips.
