Akagera National Park covers about 1,122 sq km of savannah, wetland and lake habitat in eastern Rwanda, along the border with Tanzania. Founded in 1934, the park suffered a severe decline in the 1990s but has since become one of Africa’s most striking conservation turnaround stories, regaining status as a genuine Big Five safari destination after a management partnership with African Parks began in 2010.
The park at a glance
- About 1,122 sq km, founded in 1934 during the Belgian colonial period
- Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes make up over a third of the protected area
- Managed since 2010 by the Akagera Management Company, a partnership between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board
- Annual visitor numbers grew from about 8,000 in 2010 to over 67,000 by 2025
A conservation turnaround
Akagera’s wildlife was devastated in the years following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, when returning farmers settled within the park’s boundaries and its lion population, once estimated at 250 to 300 animals, was wiped out entirely. Recovery began after a 2010 management partnership brought a roughly $10 million investment, including a 120 km fence along the park’s western boundary and strengthened anti-poaching security. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and had grown to around 72 individuals by 2025, while eastern black rhinos returned in 2017 and white rhinos followed in 2021 and 2025, restoring the Big Five alongside the park’s existing elephant, buffalo and leopard populations.
Savannah and wetland scenery
Unlike Rwanda’s forested and volcanic parks further west, Akagera offers classic East African savannah scenery, with rolling hills, acacia woodland and papyrus-lined lakes. Boat safaris on Lake Ihema are a distinctive feature, giving close views of hippo, crocodile and waterbirds alongside the park’s conventional game drives.
Things to do
- Game drives for lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard
- Boat safaris on Lake Ihema for hippo, crocodile and birdlife
- Birdwatching across the park’s varied savannah and wetland habitats
- Night game drives, offered by some operators for nocturnal species
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kigali, about two to three hours to the park’s main entrance
- Best visited in the dry seasons from June to September and December to February
- A rewarding addition to a Rwanda itinerary built primarily around gorilla trekking further west
Akagera pairs classic Big Five safari viewing with one of Africa’s most notable conservation recovery stories. Offmap Safaris can combine it with Volcanoes National Park for a complete Rwanda itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
