Akagera National Park

The relatively warm and low-lying plains of Akagera comprise savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes. In partnership with African Parks, we have reintroduced lions and rhinos, meaning once again visitors can hope to see the Big Five on safari drives.

The largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing, and the Rwanda government is taking steps to ensure the Big Five roam the park in greater numbers over the course of time.

Since 2010 the Rwanda government has put measures to cut poaching to an all time low, with the introduction of a helicopter, a canine unit and rhino trackers.

A family of lions from South Africa is settling in well, and breeding successfully, and 18 eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced.

Visitors can also encounter buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an incredible 490 bird species, plus much more.

A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant waterbirds on the island in the middle of the lake.

The only way to explore the park is by safari vehicle. The National Park also has a vehicle to hire, with individual spaces available on night drives.

Akagera National Park is home to olive baboons and vervet monkeys, which can be spotted on safari drives. Other species can only be seen at night – the small potto, closely related to the lemurs of Madagascar, and bushbabies, with their distinctive large eyes for superior night vision, and bat-like ears to track insects in the dark.

Sleeping within the park is possible, at various lodges, a bush camp in the north at select periods, or camping in specific sites.