See the Big Five
Akagera National Park is the only place where visitors can experience the Big Five in Rwanda.
Most people visit Rwanda to go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, but the country has much more to offer for travellers who want to add a safari experience to their journey.
Rwanda’s only Big Five national park
Ideal to combine with gorilla trekking
Game walking, boating, driving, and a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour
Best Time to Go
Akagera has had a remarkable restoration over the last few decades. Remnants of its past, involving rampant poaching and high wildlife-community conflict, have been largely eliminated. Reintroduction programmes that included lion, black rhino, and the revival of other species have resulted in exceptional numbers of game. The highlight is undoubtedly the chance to see the Big Five.
Game Drives
The park offers both day and night game drives, which give visitors an excellent opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Along with the Big Five, visitors can also glimpse hyenas, jackals, Maasai giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, eland, oribi, sable, roan, bushbuck, reedbuck, waterbuck, and more.
Boat Trips
Lake Ihema is the second-largest lake in Rwanda. A private boat trip on the lake is a wonderful way to see the park from a new perspective and encounter aquatic species like hippo and crocodiles. Drifting along the forest-fringed body of water is sublime and offers an exciting opportunity to see some of the park’s estimated 480 bird species, with special sightings such as shoebill storks and crowned cranes.
A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
One of the best ways to appreciate the mammoth effort that has gone into getting the park where it is today and the constant work needed to maintain its pristine environment is through the unique ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour. You’ll visit the park’s headquarters and meet some of the staff, such as anti-poaching rangers and wardens who are tasked with the safety of Akagera’s wildlife. It’s an exceptional way to learn about the conservation initiatives from people who are involved in the daily running of the park.
