Home › Destinations › Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park, Rwanda - Things to Do in Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park, Rwanda - Complete Travel Guide

Akagera National Park is Rwanda's largest protected wetland and the last refuge for savannah-adapted species in the country. Located in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, this 1,122-square-kilometer park encompasses rolling hills, open plains, lakes, and papyrus swamps that create diverse ecosystems supporting an impressive array of wildlife. The park was established in 1934 but faced significant challenges during the 1990s, losing much of its original area to human settlement. Today, Akagera represents one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories, having been transformed through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. The park has been restocked with species that had disappeared, including lions reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, making it Rwanda's only Big Five destination. With its impressive landscapes, successful wildlife recovery, and excellent infrastructure, Akagera offers visitors an authentic African safari experience while contributing to Rwanda's conservation efforts and local community development.

Top Akagera National Park

Game Drives

Explore Akagera's diverse landscapes on morning, afternoon, or full-day game drives to spot the Big Five and other wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. The park's well-maintained road network provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities across different habitats from savannah plains to lakeshores. Professional guides enhance the experience with their knowledge of animal behavior and park ecology.

Booking Tip: Book game drives through the park reception or pre-arrange with tour operators for $30 per person plus vehicle fees. Early morning drives (6 AM start) offer the best wildlife viewing as animals are most active, while afternoon drives provide excellent lighting for photography.

Boat Safari on Lake Ihema

Take a scenic boat cruise on Lake Ihema, Rwanda's second-largest lake, to observe hippos, crocodiles, and diverse water birds in their natural habitat. The lake supports over 480 bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers and photographers. The peaceful boat ride offers a different perspective of the park's ecosystem and impressive sunset views.

Booking Tip: Boat safaris cost $25 per person and operate twice daily at 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM, lasting approximately 2 hours. Book at the park reception upon arrival or reserve in advance during peak season (June-September and December-February).

Behind-the-Scenes Conservation Experience

Participate in conservation activities including rhino tracking, wildlife monitoring, and community projects to gain insight into Akagera's remarkable transformation. Visitors can join rangers on patrol, learn about anti-poaching efforts, and understand the challenges and successes of wildlife reintroduction programs. This experience provides a deeper connection to conservation work and the park's mission.

Booking Tip: Conservation experiences must be pre-booked through African Parks or authorized tour operators, costing $100-200 per person depending on activities included. These specialized programs require advance notice of at least one week and are subject to availability and park operations.

Night Game Drive

Experience Akagera after dark on guided night drives to spot nocturnal species including leopards, servals, bush babies, and various owl species. The park comes alive at night with different sounds and animal behaviors, offering a thrilling contrast to daytime game viewing. Spotlights help illuminate wildlife while maintaining respectful distances.

Booking Tip: Night drives cost $40 per person and must be booked in advance through the park or tour operators as they're limited to specific areas and times. Drives typically start at 6:30 PM and last 2-3 hours, requiring warm clothing as temperatures drop significantly after sunset.

Community Cultural Tours

Visit local communities surrounding Akagera to learn about traditional Rwandan culture, participate in daily activities, and understand how conservation efforts benefit local people. These tours include visits to traditional homesteads, craft demonstrations, and opportunities to purchase locally-made souvenirs. The experience showcases the important relationship between conservation and community development.

Booking Tip: Community tours cost $15-25 per person and can be arranged through the park or local community cooperatives. Half-day tours are available most days, but it's recommended to book in advance to ensure community availability and to support advance planning for cultural demonstrations.

Getting There

Akagera National Park is located approximately 110 kilometers (2.5 hours drive) northeast of Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. The most common route is via the sealed road through Rwamagana and Kayonza, with the final stretch on well-maintained dirt roads to the park's southern entrance gate. Most visitors arrange transportation through tour operators or rent 4WD vehicles in Kigali, as public transportation to the park is limited. Self-driving is possible with a reliable vehicle, and the journey offers scenic views of Rwanda's rolling hills and rural landscapes.

Getting Around

Within Akagera National Park, movement is restricted to designated roads and tracks, requiring a 4WD vehicle for optimal access to all areas. The park has a well-maintained network of game drive routes covering different habitats, with main roads suitable for most vehicles and more remote tracks requiring higher clearance. Visitors can explore in their own vehicles (with required park guides for certain areas) or join organized game drives with experienced driver-guides. All movement within the park must end by 6 PM except for pre-arranged night drives, and visitors should carry spare tires and emergency supplies for remote area exploration.

Where to Stay

Ruzizi Tented Lodge (luxury lakeside accommodation)
Akagera Game Lodge (mid-range lodge with park views)
Karenge Bush Camp (budget camping with basic facilities)
Mutumba Hills (camping site with panoramic views)
Kigali city hotels (day trip base)
Kayonza town guesthouses (budget option outside park)

Food & Dining

Dining options within Akagera National Park are limited to the lodges and designated picnic sites where visitors can enjoy packed meals while surrounded by wildlife and scenic views. Ruzizi Tented Lodge offers fine dining with international and local cuisine, while Akagera Game Lodge provides hearty meals suitable for safari travelers. Most visitors arrange packed lunches through their accommodation or tour operators for full-day game drives. The park has several scenic picnic spots near Lake Ihema and other viewpoints where visitors can safely enjoy meals outdoors. For more dining variety, the nearby town of Kayonza offers local restaurants serving traditional Rwandan dishes, or visitors can stock up on supplies in Kigali before heading to the park.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Rwanda

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Question Coffee Gishushu

4.6 /5
(1249 reviews) 2
cafe store tourist_attraction

The House of Mandi

4.8 /5
(1154 reviews) 2

Nature Kigali

4.9 /5
(1044 reviews)
cafe clothing_store lodging

Repub Lounge

4.5 /5
(920 reviews) 2
bar night_club

Afrinaija Pots Restaurant

4.8 /5
(646 reviews) 2

Soy Asian Table

4.5 /5
(511 reviews) 3

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The best time to visit Akagera National Park is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, when wildlife concentrates around water sources and roads are most accessible. During these periods, vegetation is less dense, making animal spotting easier, and the weather is generally pleasant for outdoor activities. The wet seasons (March-May and October-November) bring lush landscapes and excellent birdwatching opportunities as migratory species arrive, but some remote areas may become inaccessible due to muddy conditions. Game viewing is possible year-round, with each season offering unique advantages - dry season for large mammals and wet season for birds and dramatic scenery.

Insider Tips

Visit the park's northern circuit early in your stay as it offers the best chances of spotting lions and rhinos in their preferred territories
Bring binoculars and a good camera with telephoto lens as wildlife viewing distances can be significant, and the park's diverse birdlife requires close observation
Pack layers of clothing as temperatures can vary significantly between early morning game drives (cool) and midday activities (warm), especially during dry season

Activities in Akagera National Park