Rwanda's Savannah Comeback: Lions, Rhinos and Lakeside Game Drives
Akagera covers about 1,122 km² of savannah, woodland, swamp and lakes along Rwanda’s border with Tanzania. After years of decline, the park has been jointly managed by the Rwanda Development Board and the conservation organisation African Parks since 2010. Lions were reintroduced in 2015, black rhinos in 2017 and white rhinos in 2021, making Akagera Rwanda’s only Big Five park.
The south of the park is a maze of lakes and papyrus swamps, best explored by boat on Lake Ihema. The north opens into rolling grassland with giraffes, zebras, topis and the park’s lions. A visit pairs perfectly with gorilla trekking for a complete Rwanda safari.
Photo: Joseph Lionceau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to Do
Game Drives
Self-drive or guided drives through the park's three zones, with the best general game in the northern plains.
Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
A boat trip among hippos, Nile crocodiles, fish eagles and a wealth of waterbirds.
Night Drives
Park-run night drives look for leopards, hyenas, genets and bushbabies.
Behind-the-Scenes Conservation
Visits to learn how the park's rangers and reintroduction projects work can be arranged on request.
When to Go
The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) are best for game viewing, as animals gather near water and the grass is shorter. The wet months turn the park lush and are excellent for birds.
Getting There
The park's southern gate is about 110 km east of Kigali, roughly two and a half to three hours by road. Akagera fits easily at the start or end of a gorilla trip; allow at least one night, preferably two.
Where to Stay
Tours Including Akagera National Park
8-Day Rwanda Gorillas, Big Five & Lake Kivu
Savannah, volcanoes and lake in one trip: game drives and a boat safari in Akagera, gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas, then time to unwind on Lake Kivu.
View Tour5-Day Rwanda Gorillas & Akagera Wildlife Safari
A classic short safari: game drives and a boat trip in Akagera, Rwanda's Big Five park, then mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the Virungas.
View Tour
7-Day Rwanda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five
Rwanda's three great parks in one week: Big Five game drives in Akagera, mountain gorillas in the Virungas, and chimpanzees and the canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest.
View Tour
10-Day Best of Rwanda Safari
Everything Rwanda does best in ten unhurried days: Kigali, Akagera's Big Five, gorillas, golden monkeys and Dian Fossey's grave, Lake Kivu at Karongi, and Nyungwe's chimpanzees.
View TourFrequently Asked Questions
Can I see the Big Five in Akagera?
Yes, all five are present. Lions, elephants and buffalo are seen regularly; rhinos and leopards take more luck.
Is Akagera worth it after a safari in Kenya or Tanzania?
Akagera is quieter and smaller, with far fewer vehicles. It is best seen as a rewarding addition to gorilla trekking rather than a replacement for the Serengeti or Maasai Mara.
Can I visit Akagera on a day trip from Kigali?
It is possible, but you would spend five to six hours driving. An overnight stay gives you the best game-viewing hours at dawn and dusk.
