From Kigali to Akagera National Park: Embark on an Epic African Adventure
Located in the far east of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park offers classic wildlife safari experiences. It encompasses majestic savannah, montane woodlands and papyrus swamps that attract a diversity of big game mammals and bird species.
While the park became overrun with cattle and poachers during the Rwandan genocide, conservation efforts in the years since have seen the re-introduction of iconic species, including lions and rhinos. Community-based tourism in Akagera offers up-close encounters with zebras, giraffes and elephants, as well as lake-dwelling hippos and more than 400 birds.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about visiting Akagera National Park and why it has become a highlight of Rwanda travel. Learn about the Big Five animals in Akagera and what you can see and do in the park, as well as what to expect along one of the most scenic drives in Rwanda.
Akagera was first designated as a national park by the Belgian government in 1934 and originally covered 2,500 square kilometres. While it was rich in biodiversity, years of disease, poaching and civil war had devastating impacts on the park and its resident wildlife.
Initially Akagera had a large population of African wild dogs that were so abundant they were considered a “pest”. Unfortunately, disease wiped them out, with the last wild dogs spotted in 1984. Widespread poaching decimated the park’s population of black rhinos, which were introduced from Tanzania in 1957.
Akagera National Park has had more success with Maasai giraffes, which were introduced from Kenya in 1986. The population has slowly grown to include over 80 individuals. Before the Rwandan Civil War, the park also had a healthy population of lions, although many were killed by farmers who settled in the park following the conflict.
In 2009, a joint agreement was reached by the Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Network to manage Akagera National Park. Thanks to financial help from the Howard Buffett Foundation, steps have been taken to increase security in the park, including the construction of a 120-kilometre-long fence. Rhino trackers have been trained and an anti-poaching canine unit has been implemented. In addition, air surveillance helicopters are regularly deployed to prevent poaching.
In 2015, seven lions were introduced into Akagera National Park from South Africa and the population has since grown to around 40 individuals. Eastern black rhinoceroses and white rhinoceroses have also been reintroduced, meaning Akagera is now home to the “Big Five” (lions, African leopards, African bush elephants, rhinoceros and African buffalo). Since 2010, the mammal population in Akagera has more than tripled, from 4,000 animals to 13,500.
Safari game drives
No visit is complete without a game drive in Akagera, giving you the opportunity to spot not only the “Big Five” but a range of other wildlife species. Not only can you explore the savannah and woodlands in the daytime, but nighttime safaris are available when the park’s nocturnal animals, such as civets and leopards are at their most active.
Boat safari
As the second largest lake in Rwanda, Lake Ihema is ideally explored by boat and is home to a large population of hippos and crocodiles. You’ll have a front-row street as mammals come to rehydrate on the lake shores while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding park.
Nature walks
Some parts of Akagera are accessible on foot and this is a great way to get up close to the national park’s smaller species. Nature walks in Akagera offer encounters with colourful butterflies, insects and plants that you might easily miss on a game drive safari.
Fishing
Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park is one of the best spots for fishing, with grunting hippos and chirping birds as your soundtrack. It’s a great opportunity to try your hand at local fishing techniques before roasting, frying or grilling your catch.
Birding
Birdwatching in Akagera is a highly rewarding experience, with more than 480 species recorded within the park’s boundaries. With the help of an experienced guide, you can spot red-faced barbets, lesser kestrels and swamp flycatchers, as well as papyrus gonolex and shoebills.
Observing the gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters in the world. Our clients often find themselves seated amidst a gorilla family, coming face to face with the majestic silverbacks.
Akagera National Park is around 110 kilometres or 2.5 hours’ drive from the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, and the country’s main aviation gateway, Kigali International Airport. It receives international flights from major African cities, as well as from Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Istanbul and Dubai.
Generally speaking, the road between Kigali and Akagera National Park is good, although there are a few bumpy spots along the way. The final 30 kilometres of the journey and all the roads within the park are dirt, meaning that a 4x4 safari vehicle is the best way of getting around Akagera.
Visas are required for entry into Rwanda by citizens of all countries, with some issued for free on arrival and others paid. You will also need a passport with at least six months of validity and with at least one free page for entry and exit stamps.
Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie countries can stay for up to 30 days with a valid passport and are issued a visa free of charge on arrival. Citizens of East African Community Member States can stay in Rwanda for a period of six months.
Citizens of the following countries are granted a 90-day visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and Qatar.
Citizens of all other countries can apply online or at the Rwandan consulate in their home country. However, most governments recommend that travellers are up-to-date with tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, diphtheria and typhoid shots. A yellow fever certificate may be required if you are arriving in Rwanda from certain parts of the Americas and Africa, including Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
Malaria is an issue in some parts of Rwanda, so it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor about suitable anti-malarial drugs. Additionally, pack long-sleeve shirts and pants to prevent getting mosquito bites in the evening.
Rwanda experiences two dry seasons (December to February and June to September) and these are considered the best times to go on safari in Akagera National Park. During these periods, the grass is shorter, making animals easier to spot and the lack of rain makes it more suitable for being outdoors.
March to May is the long rainy season in Akagera and while it is a great time for birdwatching, the park’s dirt roads can get incredibly muddy. October to November is the short wet season and another great time for birdwatching, although keep in mind that temperatures can be cool at night during this period.
Looking for safaris and cultural experiences in Rwanda? Chat with our East Africa tourism specialists about planning your adventure. Our Akagera National Park tours can be combined with gorilla trekking in Rwanda and stays at some of the best safari lodges in Rwanda.
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