Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Game Wilderness
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s wild side; a beautiful stretch of rolling hills, open plains, and papyrus lined lakes where lions roam again, elephants wander freely, and sunsets spill gold across the savannah. It sits in Rwanda’s far east on the Tanzanian border and offers the country’s only true Big Five safari experience. For travellers pairing gorilla trekking with classic game viewing, Akagera balances the journey perfectly.
Akagera’s charm lies in its contrasts. The west rises into soft, wooded hills that overlook a vast low lying plain. Below them, a chain of lakes and swamps fed by the Kagera River creates one of East Africa’s largest protected wetlands. Lake Ihema, the biggest of them, is a magnet for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless birds.
Drive north and the scenery opens into sweeping savannah, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with plains game. It’s the kind of landscape that surprises many first time visitors to Rwanda; serene, sunlit, and wonderfully wild.
Akagera gives you a full, classic African Safari!
Akagera delivers a classic African safari in a compact, easy to explore setting. Lions are now commonly seen, especially in the northern plains. Elephants move between the woodland and lakes, buffalo gather in large herds, and both black and white rhinos graze in the protected zones. Leopards, hyenas, giraffes, zebra, topi, waterbuck, and eland complete the experience.
For birders, the park is exceptional. More than 480 species have been recorded here, from fish eagles and kingfishers to rare papyrus specialists. The lake edges are alive with herons, storks, and the ever entertaining hippos calling from the water.
Popular experiences to look forward to in Akagera
Game Drives
Morning and afternoon game drives are the best way to explore the park. The northern region offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Rwanda, with open plains that make sightings rewarding and photography effortless.
Night drives, led by park guides, reveal hyenas, leopards, civets, owls, and other nocturnal life you rarely see during the day.
Boat Safaris
A boat safari is a highlight of any Akagera visit. Drifting along the papyrus fringes brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birds.
Elephants and antelope frequently come down to drink, and the light on the water makes for stunning photos.
Guided Walks & Community
For travellers who want a deeper connection to the place, Akagera offers guided nature walks, behind the scenes conservation experiences, and community visits.
These encounters show how local people and modern conservation work hand in hand to protect the park.
Best time to visit
Akagera is open all year but the drier months, i.e., June to September and December to February offer the easiest wildlife viewing. During the wetter green season, the scenery becomes lush, birdlife is superb, and the park feels wonderfully fresh. Because of its elevation, temperatures are warm without being uncomfortably hot.
Getting There
The park is just a two to three hour scenic drive from Kigali, making it ideal for short safaris or as the opening or closing chapter of a longer Rwanda adventure. Most travellers enter through the southern gate and explore northwards, spending a night or two in a lodge inside or near the park.
Book Your Visit Today
Our team designs seamless, personalised trips covering game drives and boat safaris to full Big Five adventures. Tell us your travel dates, interests, and group size and we’ll craft an itinerary that fits you perfectly.