Rwanda’s Savannah Comeback Story
Bordering Tanzania in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a 1,120 km² blend of open plains, woodlands, rolling hills, and some of Central Africa’s largest protected wetlands. It’s Rwanda’s only savannah park and the country’s one-stop destination for Big Five game viewing.
The park’s revival is nothing short of remarkable. After years of heavy poaching, a partnership between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board transformed Akagera into a conservation success. Lions were reintroduced in 2015, black rhinos in 2017 and 2021, restoring the classic safari experience to Rwanda.
Today, Akagera is home to elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalos, plus giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide range of plains game. With over 490 bird species, including the rare shoebill, it’s one of East Africa’s best birding destinations.
A highlight of any visit is a boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos snort between lily pads and waterbirds fill the sky. The landscapes are peaceful, photogenic, and far less crowded than other major safari parks, making game drives relaxed and rewarding.
Open year-round, Akagera shines especially during the dry season (June–September). And paired with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or primate walks in Nyungwe Forest, it completes a perfect Rwandan adventure circuit.
