Rwanda’s only savanna national park and a remarkable conservation comeback story. Devastated during the 1994 genocide, Akagera has been transformed over the past decade through a management partnership with African Parks. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 after a 20-year absence, black rhino returned in 2017, and the park now offers a genuine Big Five experience set against a beautiful landscape of lakes, papyrus swamps and rolling hills — all within a two-hour drive of Kigali.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★★☆ Infrastructure: ★★★☆☆ Photography: ★★★★☆
Adventure: ★★★☆☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Value for Money: ★★★★☆ Scenery: ★★★★☆
Key wildlife: Lion (reintroduced 2015, recovering well), black rhino (reintroduced 2017), elephant, hippo (excellent), Nile crocodile, zebra, topi, impala, giraffe, shoebill stork (sought-after), 500+ birds
Best for: Rwanda’s Big Five safari, boat safaris on lakes, conservation story, Kigali day trip or overnight
Best time: June–September; December–February (dry seasons, best game viewing and boat safaris)
More about this park will be added here over time.
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