- Where
- Akagera National Park, eastern Rwanda
- Duration
- Day trip to 3 days
- Cost
- Tours from US$890
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Minimum age
- All ages
- Best time
- June–September for concentrated game; all year for birding
A conservation comeback
By the early 2000s Akagera had lost its lions and rhinos. Since 2010 the park has been managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, and wildlife has rebounded dramatically. Today you can see lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and both black and white rhinos, plus giraffes, zebras, hippos and nearly 500 bird species.
What to do in Akagera
- Game drives through savanna, acacia woodland and the northern plains
- Boat safari on Lake Ihema for hippos, crocodiles and water birds
- Night drives for leopards, hyenas, bushbabies and genets
- Behind-the-scenes conservation experiences (on request)
Combine with gorillas
Akagera pairs perfectly with Volcanoes National Park: savanna one day, rainforest the next. See 5-Day Gorillas & Akagera.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Akagera as a day trip from Kigali?
Yes. Leave Kigali at around 5:00 am, enjoy a full day of game driving and a boat trip, and return by evening. Staying overnight gives you the best early-morning and late-afternoon wildlife.
Are there lions in Akagera?
Yes. Lions were reintroduced from South Africa in 2015 and the population has grown since. Sightings are common, especially in the north of the park.
