Akagera National Park Rwanda
All Big Five, 2.5 hours from Kigali.
Akagera National Park covers 1,122 square kilometers in eastern Rwanda and lies 2.5 hours by road from Kigali. It is Rwanda’s only savannah park and has all Big Five, with lions back since 2015 and black rhinos since 2017. We recommend three nights if time allows.
Akagera National Park in numbers
- Location
- Eastern Rwanda, on the border with Tanzania
- From Kigali
- about 110 km, 2.5 hours by road
- Size
- 1,122 square kilometers
- Big Five
- all five present
- Park fee
- US$100 per person for a day visit or the first night
- Best months
- June to September, with a shorter dry season from December to February
- Recommended stay
- three nights, if time allows
Park fees for every length of stay and age are in our Rwanda safari cost guide.
Rwanda’s savannah park
Akagera National Park lies in the east of Rwanda, along the border with Tanzania. Its 1,122 square kilometers hold open plains, wooded hills and lakes, and it is one of the largest protected wetlands in the region. The park was established in 1934 and is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board.
Lions returned to the park in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, which is why Akagera now has all Big Five. In 2025, white rhinos were also brought to the park from South Africa. We use Akagera in two ways: as a Big Five addition to a gorilla trip, and as a short safari from Kigali.
The park has no permanent guides. The guides who work here are community guides from a local cooperative. Ten percent of tourism revenues goes back to the communities around the park. Read more in our sustainability commitment. For the wider country, start with our Rwanda destination guide.
The Big Five in Akagera
Akagera has all five. Here is what to expect from each, because sightings are not guaranteed.
Lion
Lions returned to Akagera in 2015. Finding them takes patience.
Black rhino
Black rhinos returned in 2017 and are rare to see.
Elephant
Elephants are the animals I remember best from my first visit, and guests often see them drinking from the boat on Lake Ihema.
Buffalo
Buffalo are present in the park. The plains in the north, where more animals gather, are where we spend the most time looking.
Leopard
Shy and mostly seen at night. A night drive gives the best chance, and even then a sighting is rare.
Seeing the Big Five is easier with more time. Our 6-Day Luxury Rwanda Safari with gorillas and Akagera Big Five adds the park to a gorilla trip.
What to do in Akagera National Park
Game drives
A game drive is the heart of a visit. Because distances in the park are short, you spend more of the day looking for animals. For one day from Kigali, see our 1 Day Akagera safari and our day trips from Kigali.
Boat trip on Lake Ihema
The boat trip lasts about 1 hour. Guests see hippos and crocodiles, and sometimes elephants drinking at the water’s edge. The afternoon is best, when animals come down to the lake to drink. Predators sometimes appear, following the prey that comes to the water.
Night drive
The night drive lasts about 2.5 hours and gives the best chance of seeing nocturnal animals such as leopards. Leopards are rare, and a night drive is no guarantee of one. When it happens, it is one of the best things you can see in the park. For what to expect on each activity, read our Akagera National Park guide.
Self-drive. Self-drive is permitted with a 4×4. We recommend a guide.
For two days in the park, see our 2-Day Akagera National Park Safari from Kigali, or browse Rwanda short safaris.
What a day in Akagera looks like
Early morning
Game drive, when animals are most active.
Breakfast
Back at the lodge, or a stop on the drive.
Midday
Rest at the lodge.
Afternoon
The boat trip on Lake Ihema, when animals come to drink.
Late afternoon
A game drive on the plains.
Sunset
Back to the lodge.
Evening
An optional night drive of about 2.5 hours.
Three nights, as we plan them
If time allows, we recommend three nights. The first night is in the south, towards Lake Ihema. The last two nights are in the north, where the plains are and where more animals gather. With two nights or one day, we keep the plan simpler and the drives short.
See also: day trips from Kigali.
Where to stay in Akagera National Park
Akagera has a small number of lodges and camps. We choose each one for position, service and how well it suits the guest, and we list no rates here.
Ultra-luxury
Magashi Peninsula
The newer and more luxurious of the two Magashi lodges, run by Wilderness, and one of my three favorite lodges in Rwanda.
Luxury
Magashi Camp
Also run by Wilderness.
More places to stay
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
In the south of the park.
Salt of Akagera, formerly Akagera Game Lodge
In the south of the park.
Karenge Bush Camp
Towards the north.
Our guide to the best luxury lodges in Rwanda · luxury Rwanda safaris · the ultra luxury Rwanda safari · lodge rates by level.
The best time to visit Akagera National Park
The park is open all year.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Shorter dry season | Shorter dry season | Wet | Wet | Wet | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Wet | Wet | Shorter dry season |
Dry months. June to September is the main dry season and the best time for game viewing. Animals gather near the water, and the afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema gives the most variety.
A shorter dry season. December to February is also dry, but for a shorter spell and not as dry as June to September.
Wet months. March to May and October to November are greener and quieter.
Planning around the seasons. From November to May, travelers who stay at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe can pay a lower gorilla permit rate; see the permit rates by season. For help choosing dates, read our seasonal guide to Rwanda.
How to get to Akagera National Park from Kigali
Akagera is about 110 km from Kigali. By road the drive takes 2.5 hours. That makes a day trip possible, and our day trips from Kigali show how it works.
If you are short of time, a helicopter transfer takes 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the aircraft. It is not part of the standard price, and the details are on our ultra luxury Rwanda safari page.
To combine Akagera with gorillas, we plan Akagera first and then Volcanoes National Park. The drive from Akagera to Volcanoes is about 4 hours by road, through Kigali. For the gorilla day itself, read our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Nyungwe National Park can join the same route, and we plan the order around your dates and flights.
About 110 km, 2.5 hours by road
About 4 hours by road, through Kigali
Why I keep coming back to Akagera
The first time
I first visited Akagera as a student. I remember how beautiful it was: the rolling hills, the plains and so many animals in one place. It was the first time I saw a lot of elephants, and it was one of the best experiences of my young life.
A small park, a good one
Akagera is small compared with the parks in Kenya and Tanzania, but it is diverse. You find hills, plains and bush in one place, with a lot of animals. You do not drive for hours to reach them, so you have more time to look.
The people around the park
The park has no permanent guides. The guides who work in it come from the communities around it, through a cooperative, and they benefit from the work. Ten percent of tourism revenues goes back to those communities.
Eric SabiFounder and RDB-licensed guide
What I do not promise. I do not promise that a guest will see all Big Five. A leopard on a night drive is rare, and the same is true of lions and rhinos. What I can do is plan enough time and tell you plainly what to expect.
Rwanda safaris that include Akagera National Park
These trips include time in Akagera, and we tailor each one to your dates and travel party.
For gorillas, start with Rwanda gorilla trekking.
For lodges and a fuller route, see luxury Rwanda safaris or a private Rwanda luxury safari.
Celebrating something? See luxury Rwanda honeymoon safaris or family luxury Rwanda safaris.
Short on time? See Rwanda short safaris, or our 3 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari.
Comparing options? See all Rwanda safari packages, or read our comparison of a Rwanda or Kenya luxury safari.
Prices on the cards are guide prices per person, based on two travelers sharing. Park fees, lodge rates and what is included are in our Rwanda safari cost guide, and the payment terms are in our booking policy.
Questions about Akagera National Park
More answers are in our Rwanda safari and gorilla trekking FAQs. For a longer planning guide, read our Akagera National Park guide.
Can I see the Big Five in Akagera National Park?
Akagera has all five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino. We cannot promise a full set, because wild animals move freely. Elephants are the easiest to find. Leopards are rare, and lions and black rhinos, which returned in 2015 and 2017, need patience. A longer stay improves your chances.
How far is Akagera National Park from Kigali?
Akagera is about 110 km from Kigali, a drive of 2.5 hours by road. That makes a day trip possible, though most guests prefer to stay at least one night. A helicopter transfer of 20 to 25 minutes is available for guests who want to save time. Details are on our ultra luxury Rwanda safari page.
How long should I stay in Akagera?
If time allows, we recommend three nights. The first night is in the south, near Lake Ihema, and the last two are in the north, where the plains are and more animals gather. That gives you more time to look and fewer hours in the vehicle. Two nights, or a day trip from Kigali, are also possible when time is short.
What is the entry fee for Akagera National Park?
The park fee is US$100 per person for a day visit or for the first night. Longer stays cost less per night, and children pay lower rates. The full fee schedule, by length of stay and age, is in our Rwanda safari cost guide.
When is the best time to visit Akagera National Park?
June to September is the main dry season and the best time for game viewing. Animals gather near the water, and in the afternoon many come down to Lake Ihema to drink, which makes the boat trip a highlight. December to February is a shorter dry season, not as dry as June to September. The park is open all year, and we plan around your dates.
Is Akagera worth it compared with Kenya and Tanzania?
Akagera is much smaller than the parks in Kenya and Tanzania, with a different landscape of hills, plains, lakes and bush. Distances are short, so you spend more time looking for animals and less time driving. It does not match their scale, and sightings vary from day to day. It suits guests who want a savannah safari alongside gorilla trekking.
Can I combine Akagera with gorilla trekking?
Yes. We plan Akagera first and then Volcanoes National Park for the gorillas. The drive between them is about 4 hours by road, through Kigali. Our luxury safari with gorillas and the Akagera Big Five combines both parks, and our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda explains the gorilla day. We tailor the order to your flights and dates.
What should I pack for Akagera?
Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable clothes for long game drives. Water is provided on every Hope Tours Africa trip in reusable bottles, so there is no single use plastic. Our gorilla trekking packing list covers boots and layers, and your safari specialist will confirm what to bring for your dates.
Speak with a safari specialist
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see. We reply within 24 hours, usually within 1 to 4 hours.
WhatsApp: +250 788 602 524 · Email: info@hopetoursafrica.com · Phone: +250 788 602 524