Akagera National Park Safari departs from Kigali and takes you to Rwanda's only savanna national park for a true wildlife safari, giving visitors a better chance of seeing the big five mammals. Akagera National Park is set in the Eastern Province of Rwanda in the Kayonza district and borders Tanzania. Akagera National Park was named after the great river Akagera. Akagera National Park covers about 1,075 square kilometers in size. Click here to see mountain gorilla trekking safaris. 

Akagera National Park is comprised of lakes, forested zones, vegetation layers, woodlands, rivers, and vast savanna plains. Akagera National Park was once the most wildlife-rich savannah national park in the world. Akagera National Park had one of the highest concentrations of wild dogs in Africa, but due to canines being seen as pests, they were killed through poisoning by the Belgian colonialists. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

Later on, Akagera National Park was massively encroached upon by humans, which led to conflicts with wildlife. The situation became worse during the genocide of 1994. Rwanda’s largest number of citizens used Akagera National Park as an escape route for the genocide. When Rwanda’s citizens returned after the genocide, many of them settled within the national park. Akagera National Park animals were hunted down for food, and lions were also poisoned in order to create peace.

Rwanda’s new government is determined to rebuild Akagera National Park as part of its wider changes in Rwanda. African Parks is in charge of managing the Akagera National Park, revamping the infrastructure that was created, and taking the lead in the conservation efforts. Akagera National Park has now been fenced off, and some of the park's lost lands have been reclaimed. The government of Rwanda has gone ahead to reintroduce more lions, rhinos, and other wildlife species that were extinct in the park. Akagera National Park offers travelers a chance to spot elephants, zebras, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks, kobs, and bushbucks, among many other mammals. Rwanda’s government has promoted community tourism to allow the local people residing near the park to benefit from tourism money.

One of the greatest things about an Akagera National Park safari is the uniquely beautiful scenery. This is ideal for nature lovers and birding safaris, and visitors will undoubtedly enjoy their safari. Akagera National Park presents beautiful hills, swamps, lakes, forests, woodlands, rivers, and plains. 

During the one-day Akagera National Park safari, our experienced tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel or your home in Kigali for your 2-hour drive to Akagera National Park. After registration at Akagera National Park, you will start your morning game drive straight away in the company of a park-trained guide. Akagera National Park's game drive takes about two hours. During the game, expect to encounter numerous animals such as lions, cape buffaloes, zebras, black-tailed mongooses, African elephants, colobus monkeys, giraffes, vervet monkeys, leopards, bush babies, olive baboons, and rhinos if you are lucky enough. After that, you'll have a picnic lunch in the park.

Akagera National Park also offers an unforgettable boat cruise at Lake Ihema, which takes travelers to spot aquatic animal species such as hippos, crocodiles, and endless water birds. Lake Ihema is the largest water body in Akagera National Park, and it is situated in the southern sector of Akagera. Lake Ihema feeds many other water bodies within Akagera and outside. Lake Ihema covers about 90 square kilometers.

The eastern shores of Lake Ihema help to separate the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. Lake Ihema protects a high population of crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and different bird species, including ibises, herons, sandpipers, plovers, and hawks. A boat ride on Lake Ihema lasts between two and three hours. After the Lake Ihema boat cruise, get ready to start your journey back to Kigali, and you may reach Rwanda’s capital late in the evening.

Akagera National Park packing list 

• A hat, but not a must, to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.
• Short-sleeved shirts and blouses for ladies, especially during the dry season of June to September.
• Sunscreen that protects you from the afternoon heat in the dry season.
• A binocular that may help you spot birds and animals from afar.
• A warm sweater is required in the rainy season.
• A rain jacket should be carried in the rainy season.
• A camera to capture all the unforgettable moments and amazing sceneries.
• Hiking boots in case you are interested in taking a walk out of the car inside the park.
• Money for tipping guides, unplanned expenses, and buying souvenirs.

These are the top 5 things to do in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. Akagera National Park is situated on the eastern side of Rwanda, offering plenty of activities to be done, looking out for endless views, and the fresh, cool breeze that comes from more than 10 lakes.

Akagera National Park was established in 1934 from a forest reserve, and it is now protecting a wide range of animals such as black rhinos, hyenas, lions, lycanos, zebras, leopards, hippos, buffaloes, elephants, impalas, and crocodiles, among so many others.

What to do in Akagera National Park in 2026/2027

Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Game drives make tourists pass through the undulating hills of Akagera National Park to see an unmatched wide range of animal species. Wake up early in the morning for a game drive that gives you the chance to see a variety of animals such as impalas, waterbucks, elephants, rhinos, leopards, bushbucks, Burchell zebras, elephants, and so much more.

Tourists can also see numerous bird species linger in the forest or spend their day within the swampy surroundings of Lake Ihema. Akagera National Park’s bird species include barred long-tailed cuckoos, Archer’s robin-chats, Doherty’s and Lagden’s bush-shrikes, African fish eagles, red-throated alethe, and so much more.

A Boat Trip on Lake Ihema or Lake Shakari

Have a special moment on Lake Ihema, offering you wonderful views of what Akagera National Park is gifted with. Akagera National Park has incredible shoreline with some swampy vegetation that is regularly flocked by an array of bird species and a range of animals quenching thirst and cooling off from the waters. Look out for hippos and crocodiles as you enjoy your boat cruise.

Sport fishing in Akagera National Park

Tourists can participate in sport fishing on Lake Shakari or Lake Rwanyakazinga, where you can catch fish species such as tilapia, mudfish, catfish, and many other fish types. Travelers can carry their own fishing equipment and have fun.

Birdwatching in Akagera National Park

Birdwatching in Akagera National Park offers an exceptional experience. As you sail in the park, look out for a variety of birds, such as shoebills, herons, cattle egrets, African fish eagles, and swamp flycatchers, to mention a few. Many bird species fly within the park, so enjoy your boat trip on Lake Ihema while looking out for birds.

Community Tour in Akagera National Park

Rwanda showcases a rich cultural experience that tourists can add to their safari in Akagera National Park. Spend some part of your day in the company of a local community family; it helps travelers to learn about the life of the local Rwandese.

Immerse yourself in the Rwandese culture by taking part in making art and crafts, milking cows, making ghee, making banana beer, and sipping as you taste, harvesting honey, and so much more to be done.

The best time to explore Akagera National Park is in the dry season, which occurs from June to September and in December to February. During the dry season is the ideal time for seeing wildlife species because the undergrowth vegetation is sparse, animals gather at most water bodies, and there are fewer bugs; the skies are bright, and there is almost no or little rainfall.