Akagera National Park

Nestled in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border, Akagera National Park is a remarkable conservation success story. Once devastated by human encroachment and poaching, the park has undergone a dramatic transformation, now home again to Africa’s iconic Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.

Spanning over 1,120 square kilometers, Akagera blends savannah plains, woodland hills, marshes, and lakes, creating a unique and scenic safari experience that contrasts beautifully with Rwanda’s mountainous interior. It’s the only traditional safari park in the country, offering classic game drives, boat safaris, and a rich diversity of birds and mammals.

Managed through a public-private partnership between African Parks and the Rwandan Government, Akagera is now one of the best-protected and most sustainable safari parks in East Africa.

Location
  • Just 2.5 to 3 hours’ drive from Kigali, making it one of the easiest Big Five parks to reach in East Africa

  • No need for charter flights—perfect for weekend getaways or short add-ons

Best Time to Visit

  • June to September is dry and ideal for wildlife viewing

  • December to February also offers good conditions

  • March to May and October to November bring heavier rains, making some roads muddy, but the landscape lush

Top Wildlife & Safari Experiences

Game Drives

  • Explore the park on morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives

  • Look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Masai giraffes, topi, eland, zebras, and impalas

  • Leopard sightings are rare but possible, especially around forested areas

 

Top Wildlife & Safari Experiences

Boat Safaris on Lake Ihema

  • Enjoy peaceful boat rides with views of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds

  • Great for birdwatching and sunset photography

Rhino Tracking

  • Eastern black rhinos were reintroduced in 2017, and white rhinos in 2021

  • Track them with expert guides for a unique conservation-focused experience

Birdwatching Paradise

  • Home to over 500 bird species, including shoebill storks, papyrus gonolek, African fish eagle, and Jacanas

  • Best birding around the wetlands and lakeshores

Perfect For

  • Travelers seeking a classic safari in Rwanda

  • Visitors looking to combine gorilla trekking with a traditional game drive experience

  • Families and groups

  • Conservation-minded tourists supporting African Parks initiatives