Akagera National Park Travel Guide
A conservation success story in Rwanda’s wildest corner
Rwanda’s oldest national park, once threatened by poaching and encroachment, is today a thriving protected area.
Teeming with wildlife and hailed as one of Africa’s landmark conservation success stories.
Home to Africa’s iconic ‘Big Five’, Akagera National Park is the leading safari destination in Rwanda, and the perfect add-on to days spent gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Stretched across 433 square miles of savannah, wetlands and forested hills, Akagera is a hotspot for both land- and water-based safaris. On safari drives and bush walks led by expert guides, keep a keen eye out for the ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant – that today call the park home. Akagera is a hotspot for birding, with more than 480 bird species recorded, and twitchers can hope to add the Papyrus gonolek and rare Shoebill stork to their life list. The abundance of birdlife is thanks to the park’s expansive wetlands, the largest in Central Africa, which falls within the Park boundaries. The wonders of Lake Ihema, the largest lake in the Park, can be explored on daily motorboat safaris led by local park rangers.
During your time in Akagera National Park you’ll enjoy all of your meals in your chosen safari lodge. Rwandan chefs pour enormous passion and energy into creating an unforgettable culinary adventure, often weaving local produce and flavours into the menu. Weather permitting, during your stay you’ll enjoy dinners under African stars and breakfasts out in the bush. A highlight for most visitors are the ‘boma’ dinners, where lamp-lit tables surround a communal campfire, with songs and stories shared by the lodge staff.
Most dietary requirements and preferences can be catered for. Please provide further details on reservation.
The golden rule on safari is always to pack for comfort and flexibility. Cotton clothing in neutral colours is ideal for game drives, with thermal outer layers that can be removed when needed. Comfortable walking shoes and long pants are recommended if you hope to go on guided bush walks. And certainly don’t forget a swimsuit to cool off from the hot African sun!
Forgotten something? Most lodges offer a safari boutique stocking basic toiletries, branded clothing and souvenirs. As pharmacies may be hard to access, be sure to pack any prescription medicine needed for the duration of your trip.
Akagera National Park enjoys a warm climate year-round, but the best wildlife viewing is during the dry seasons (June to September, and December to February) when animals congregate around water sources. The rainy months (March to May, and October to November) attract migrant birds and offer lush landscapes, but some roads may be off-limits.
Malaria is prevalent year-round in Akagera National Park, peaking during the rainy seasons. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult your travel doctor at least three weeks before departure.
Find your way to Akagera National Park with our useful maps.
Akagera National Park is a scenic two-hour drive from Kigali.
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