Why you must visit Akagera National Park in Rwanda

When it comes to wildlife, mountain gorillas dominate the imagination of anyone visiting Rwanda. Photos of silverbacks are splashed all over the marketing materials for the country. And while the gorillas are incredible to see, and definitely a bucket list item, it turns out there is so much more wildlife to see in this small East African country.

Just two hours Northeast of the country’s capital, Kigali, is a small national park called Akagera. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in numbers of animals. And what makes it even better is that safaris here are far more affordable than other larger and more famous parks on the continent. 

For our two safaris in Akagera National Park we used Gorilla Trek Africa and highly recommend them. They are reliable, informative, and reasonably priced. 

Akagera is one of the world’s great conservation success stories

Akagera National Park was founded in 1934 in an effort to protect the remaining wildlife which was under threat. At first the effort was successful, but over time human encroachment and limited government resources were a challenge to the park. In 1997 the park was downsized to less than half it’s original size to make room for Rwandans returning to the country after the end of the genocide.

Thanks to a partnership agreement signed in 2009 between African Parks and the Rwandan government, this smaller park received considerable help with infrastructure, anti-poaching efforts, and more recently, the reintroduction of lions and rhinos. Electric fencing surrounds the park to prevent human and wildlife conflict. Local men and women working in the park earn a living wage. And several lodges opened to attract visitors.

Today there are over 8000 animals in the park including the big five (buffalo, lions, leopards, elephants, and rhinos) along with giraffes, hippos, impala and more. 

An amazing destination for birding

I wouldn’t consider myself a birder, in fact for much of my life I thought birds were pretty boring. But several visits to Africa have changed my mind. There are birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors in Africa and they’ve really opened my eyes to the beauty of birds.

Whatever your level of interest in birds, you’ll want to know that there are at least 500 species that can be spotted in Akagera. While all safari guides will point out the birds, if you really want to focus on birding, be sure to book a special tour. These are readily available. 

A very affordable safari

There’s no doubt a safari can be very expensive. My 10 day Tanzania safari was one of my most  expensive trips ever. But Akagera is a far more affordable option. In fact it’s possible to do a one day safari for just $400 a person, excluding tips. This day trip safari departs and returns to Kigali and no accommodation is included. The price typically includes transportation, an experienced guide, a boxed lunch, and water. The volume of wildlife that you can expect for this price is impressive. 

Lovely accommodations for all budgets

For both safaris I’ve had the pleasure of staying at Akagera Game Lodge. This is the most affordable option in the park starting at $200 a night. The service is inconsistent, but the lovely rooms and convenient location make it worthwhile. During our second stay we had a balcony room with a view of the resort, something that costs just a few dollars more and I definitely recommend.

Another popular option is Ruzizi Tented Lodge. This beautiful property sits on the shores of Lake Ihema, the largest of the lakes within the national park. And as the name suggests, guests stay in an upscale tent. Don’t get me wrong, this is not camping. Tents include furniture, a bathroom, and electricity. This smaller property can only accommodate 20 guests at a time making the experience very intimate. Rates start at $400 a night.

If you’re looking for a luxury safari experience, that’s also possible in Akagera. Magashi Camp is located in the Northern part of the park. Like Ruzizi, the accommodations are tents, but even more luxurious. Prices for accommodations only are not available. Instead, rates start at $1,500 and include food and guided safaris. 

Less crowded than other safari destinations

My first lion sighting in Tanzania was thrilling, but it was also  seriously crowded. I counted over thirty safari vehicles surrounding the lion and lioness as they mated. No wonder they wandered off to the tall grass nearby to get some privacy!

We saw lions during both visits to Akagera and there were never more than two other vehicles present. And this played out over and over no matter the animal. It often felt as if the animals were showing up just for us. Not only did we enjoy the intimacy of these experiences, but it also made for better photos. Nobody really wants a bunch of cars and trucks in their safari pictures.

I can’t guarantee that Akagera will always remain less crowded, so if you have the chance to go, do it soon.

See wildlife on the water

A highlight of any visit to Akagera is a boat ride on Lake Ihema. While you could see any number of different animals from the water, what you will definitely see are hippos. Lots and lots of hippos. I’ve read that there are 1800 hippos in this park. It’s pretty common to see crocodiles amongst hippos, since the two comfortably coexist.

We were fortunate to see two bull elephants come to the water’s edge to drink. This vantage point gave us great photos looking into the eyes of these massive creatures. I’m not sure the elephants were thrilled with us intruding on their territory, but I do love the resulting photos.

The boat ride is not included in all safaris, so be sure to request it in advance. Currently the price is $35 per person.

Chance to view both white and black rhinos

Black rhinos are indigenous to Northern Rwanda, but were hunted to extinction. In 2017 and again in 2019 black rhinos were reintroduced to the park. This reintroduction was so successful, that the park was deemed a desirable place to relocate 30 white rhinos in 2021. While the white rhino is not indigenous to the region, there’s a great need for protected space for these animals and Akagera is now considered a globally important sanctuary for them.

I’ve had the chance to see both species of rhinos in Akagera at a very close vantage point and it is awesome. I spent thousands of dollars and seven days in national parks in Tanzania and never saw a single one. 

Support local Rwandans

The world has learned the hard way that the protection of animals cannot take place separately from the care of nearby people. When poaching is lucrative and there are few options for meaningful employment, then the killing will continue. Fortunately, Rwanda has a long track record of caring for both its citizens and its wildlife.

Akagera National Park employs local residents in a number of ways including tour guides and security. Additional positions are available at the lodges. In addition, the park fees help finance local community development projects. Combined with an excellent security system, these efforts have dramatically reduced poaching in the park. Simultaneously, the lives of local residents have significantly improved.

What you need to know about traveling to Rwanda

I’ve visited Rwanda four times and regularly update this article with loads of helpful information for first time visitors. So let me give you a quick recap here.

1. You’ll fly into Kigali International Airport. Arriving will be pretty easy, but allow plenty of time for your departing flight. Security has been tightened in recent years making the process of getting to your gate rather long and tedious. Most hotels will be within a 30 minute drive from the airport.
2. Most tourists get around the country with transportation arranged by their tour company. In Kigali, your hotel can arrange car service for any local sightseeing.
3. Credit card use is on the rise in Rwanda, but you’ll want some local currency–the Rwandan Franc–on you at all times, especially outside of Kigali.
4. Rwanda is a very safe country. But follow the normal cautions you would at home; stay alert, leave your valuables at home or in the hotel safe, and use good judgement when walking around. 
5. The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, French, and English. When it comes to the tourism industry, everyone speaks English. 
6. Most tourists will need to drink bottled water during their entire time in Rwanda. Avoid fruits or vegetables that were likely washed in local water and not cooked.