Skip to main content
← Rwanda Destinations / All East Africa

Akagera National Park

Rwanda's Big Five savannah wilderness, featuring rolling acacia hills, sweeping open plains, and Central Africa’s largest protected wetland lake system.

Elevation 1,250m – 1,825m
Best Seasons June to September & December to February
Circuit Eastern Rwanda
Wildlife Focus Rwanda's Premier Big Five Savannah Wilderness, Scenic Lake Ihema Boat Safaris with Hippos & Crocodiles

Discovering Akagera National Park

Situated in eastern Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park covers over 1,120 square kilometers of rolling acacia woodlands, open savannah plains, and a labyrinth of lakes and papyrus swamps along the Akagera River. Managed in an acclaimed conservation partnership between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board, Akagera has undergone a legendary ecological rebirth.

Following the successful reintroduction of lions in 2015 and eastern black rhinos in 2017, Akagera is now a fully fledged Big Five safari destination. Travelers can encounter majestic lion prides, leopards, large herds of buffaloes, translocated white and black rhinos, Maasai giraffes, zebras, and elephants roaming freely across revitalized grasslands.

Boat safaris along Lake Ihema provide intimate viewing of wallowing hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of vibrant waterbirds, including the elusive shoebill stork and African fish eagle. Akagera offers the perfect savannah safari complement to Rwanda's mountain gorilla trekking experiences.

Itineraries Exploring Akagera National Park

Bespoke Safari Atelier

Design Your African Expedition

1 Wildlife Focus
2 Travel Style
3 Concierge
Curating for: Bespoke Uganda Safari Consultation

Select the primary wildlife encounters and ecosystems essential to your journey:

Step 1 of 3 • Multiple priorities can be selected

Select your travel party size, target dates, and preferred luxury lodging caliber:

Where should our senior Entebbe safari specialist send your personalized itinerary proposal?

Used for confidential itinerary sharing and real-time permit coordination.