Akagera National Park found in eastern Rwanda is a 2500 sq km of mainly Savannah land. The park is named after Kagera River that flows along Rwanda’s eastern boundary with Tanzania. The river feeds into Lake Ihema and other smaller lakes in and around the park.
The park protects an African Savannah landscape of acacia and bush with patches of open grassland and a dozen swampy lakes. It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms a large protected wetland. Akagera National Park is the only Savannah national park in Rwanda and the only place to sight most of the large mammals while on safari. Explore the park in the comfort of your safari vehicle while on a game drive.
Wildlife in Akagera National Park
Animals in Akagera National Park
- Akagera is home to elephants, buffalos, giraffe, zebras, leopards, hyenas, and lions.
- Antelopes include bushbucks, topis, oribis, waterbuck, roan antelope, duikers, klipspringer, impala, and the Cape eland.
- Watch schools of hippos and crocodiles near Lake Ihema.
- Common primates include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and bush babies (often seen on night drives).
Birds in Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park has a wide variety of habitats which provide great habitat for 500 bird species. Look out for the remarkable shoebill, papyrus gonolek, African wattled plover, giant kingfisher, Senegal lapwings, squacco herons, African open-bill stork, grey crowned crane, African darter, long-toed and water thick-knee.
More species likely to encounter include fish eagles, cattle egret, hamerkop, sacred and hadada ibis, augur buzzard, long-crested eagle, pied crow, black-headed and Viellot’s black weavers, grey-backed fiscals, fan-tailed widowbird, and Caruther’s cisticola.
Safaris and Activities in Akagera National Park
Game drives in Akagera National Park
Game drives are done in safari vehicles starting early morning in search of leopards, hyenas, and the re-introduced lions. Predators prefer to hunt at night or early morning and usually go into hiding as the day heats up. Along the carnivores, enjoy scenery and big mammals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, zebra and giraffes.
There are also night game drives carried out by park officials (Akagera management company). These normally last about 2 hours starting from 6pm to 8:30pm with spotlights to view nocturnal animals.
Bird watching in Akagera National Park
Akagera is an important birding area in Rwanda. Birding is rewarding as it offers opportunities to sight both endangered species like the papyrus gonolek and shoebill and more easily sighted species like weavers, egrets and kingfishers. Birding is done during game drives, nature walks with a ranger guide, and boat safaris on Lake Ihema.
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
- The best way to spend an afternoon is a boat ride on Lake Ihema when many animals come to water to cool off and drink.
- See schools of hippos, crocodiles by the shores, and a variety of water birds.
- There are scheduled boat trips during the day, and private trips can be arranged.
Sport fishing in Akagera National Park
The park offers sport fishing on Lake Shakani. You are required to book with the park. Even though it’s typically catch and release, you may be allowed to keep one catch for a meal if interested.
Cultural tours near Akagera National Park
Experience rural Rwandan life around the cattle keeping communities. Observe and participate in traditional cattle grazing, milking, milk storage in calabashes, and converting milk into products like traditional yogurt and ghee, then prepare a meal using those ingredients. This supports local livelihoods and encourages conservation.
How to get to Akagera National Park
You can drive from Kigali through Rwamagana town to Akagera National Park (entrance is mainly via the southern gate). The journey takes about 2 hours to arrive at the park entrance.
There is also an option of flying to the park using Akagera Aviation for those not keen on the drive.