Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park: Big Five Safaris in Rwanda
Akagera National Park shows a side of Rwanda many visitors never expect: open savannah, papyrus swamps and a chain of lakes along the Tanzanian border. Since African Parks took over management with the Rwanda Development Board in 2010, lions and black rhinos have returned. As a result, Akagera is now Rwanda’s only Big Five park.
The park lies about two and a half hours east of Kigali. That makes it the perfect partner to gorilla trekking, adding classic game drives to a primate-focused trip.
Things to Do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
Drives in the northern plains reveal giraffes, zebras, elephants, buffalo, topi and, with luck, lions, leopards and rhinos. Self-drive is allowed, but a guide greatly improves your sightings.
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
A boat trip on Lake Ihema brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife, including the elusive shoebill in some areas.
Night drives and behind-the-scenes tours
Night drives reveal nocturnal animals such as genets and hyenas, while conservation tours show how the park was restored.
Best Time to Visit Akagera
June to September is best for game viewing, as animals gather near water. Even so, the park is rewarding all year, and the wet months are excellent for birds.
Plan Your Akagera Safari
Try our 2-day Akagera wildlife safari from Kigali, or combine it with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park on the 10-day classic Rwanda safari.
Akagera National Park FAQs
Can I do Akagera as a day trip from Kigali?
Yes, but leave very early. One night lets you enjoy sunset and sunrise drives, when animals are most active.
Visitors can embark on thrilling game drives across its expansive grasslands and wetlands, where they may encounter large herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species. Akagera’s lakes, such as Lake Rwanyakazinga and Lake Ihema, are particularly notable for their birdlife and provide excellent opportunities for boat safaris, offering unique perspectives of the park’s aquatic wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles.
In addition to traditional game drives and boat safaris, Akagera National Park offers a range of other activities designed to immerse visitors in its natural beauty. The park’s varied terrain provides excellent opportunities for walking safaris, where trained guides lead visitors on foot to observe wildlife and learn about the park’s ecology from a closer vantage point. For those interested in more intensive exploration, the park also offers camping options, allowing visitors to experience the African wilderness under the stars.
Akagera’s conservation efforts, which focus on habitat restoration and community involvement, underscore its role as a model for sustainable wildlife management. By participating in these activities, visitors contribute to the ongoing success of conservation initiatives while enjoying a richly rewarding safari experience.
What Our Guests Say
Traford Safaris holds a 5.0-star rating on Google. Here is what recent travellers wrote:
“From the airport pickup to the accommodation and activities, everything was well organised. Our guide, Mbabazi was excellent.”
Hosea Thomas Perez, 10-day Rwanda safari · Google review ★★★★★
Why Travel with Traford Safaris
- Licensed and local: a Kampala-based company registered with the Uganda Tourism Board, planning safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
- Our own vehicles: we own and maintain our fleet of custom 4×4 Land Cruisers, with pop-up roofs, charging ports and Wi-Fi.
- Permits handled for you: we book gorilla and chimpanzee permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board, and confirm them before your trip.
- Private and flexible: every safari is private and tailor-made, and itineraries can start on any day that suits you.
- Three travel styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget), so the same itinerary can fit different budgets.
- One planner from start to finish: our reservations team, led by senior safari consultant Agaba Sheeba, stays in touch before and during your trip.
Where to Stay in Akagera National Park
Every Traford safari comes in three styles: Signature (luxury), Classic (mid-range) and Adventurer (budget). These are the lodges we recommend most often; final choices depend on your dates and availability.
- Signature: Magashi Camp on Lake Rwanyakazinga and Karenge Bush Camp.
- Classic: Ruzizi Tented Lodge on Lake Ihema and Akagera Game Lodge.
- Adventurer: the park campsites, or simple lodges just outside the gate.
