Discover Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Savannah Gem
Akagera National Park, named after the Akagera River along its eastern boundary, is Rwanda’s only savannah reserve. Located in the Eastern Province, within Kayonza District, the park covers approximately 1,122 square kilometers. Its landscape features rolling plains, dense woodlands, acacia trees, and sweeping grasslands. Akagera is also home to several lakes and ranks among the most scenic savannah reserves in Africa.
Breathtaking Wildlife and Birdlife
Akagera boasts a rich variety of wildlife. Visitors frequently encounter zebras, giraffes, hippos, baboons, warthogs, and several antelope species. The park also shelters all members of the African Big Five: buffaloes are plentiful and easy to spot; elephants are common but harder to track; rhinos and leopards are also present, though leopards remain elusive.
The reintroduction of lions, flown in from South Africa, has added to the park’s allure. These majestic animals have adapted well and are often seen during game drives.
The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 species recorded. You’ll find everything from eagles and raptors to water birds around the lakes.
Lakes of Akagera: A Vital Habitat
Akagera’s network of lakes — including Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani, Lake Hago, Lake Rwanyakizinga, and Lake Mihindi — supports some of the highest densities of hippos and crocodiles in Africa. These lakes also provide important habitats for numerous bird species and attract various grazers along their shores.
Accessibility and Location
Akagera is among the closest national parks to Kigali International Airport (KGL). The drive from Kigali to the park takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The main entrance, located at the Kiyonza Gate, is accessible via a 27 km dirt road branching east from the surfaced highway between Kigali and Rusumo at Kabarondo.
The reception center lies 1 km south of Akagera Game Lodge and about 3 km past the entrance gate. For visitors exiting via the northern Nyungwe Gate, the route through the park provides a full south-to-north safari experience.
Exploring the Park: Roads and Game Drives
The park’s road network includes two major routes:
- Eastern Lowland Route: Follows the lakes’ western shores to the Kilala Plains in the north.
- Western Highland Route: Passes through the Giraffe Area and Mutumba Hills toward Nyungwe Gate.
Several loop roads connect the two main routes, offering drives of various lengths. Shorter routes, such as the Giraffe Area or loops along Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani, are perfect for visitors with limited time.
Longer Game Drive Options
- Rwisirabo Loop (35 km / ~3 hours)
Ideal for morning drives, this route starts at Lake Ihema and passes Lake Shakani and Lake Birengero. The area offers excellent views and opportunities to spot topi, oribi, giraffe, and buffalo. - Kitabili Loop (70 km / ~5 hours)
This extended loop includes Lake Hago, regarded as the best lake for general game viewing. Visitors are likely to see elephants, buffalo, and zebra.
In the far north, around Lake Rwanyakizinga, game viewing is often more rewarding than in the south. Many visitors choose to explore this area on their final day, exiting through Nyungwe Gate.
Night Drives: Discover Akagera After Dark
Organized night drives in open-top vehicles offer a unique way to explore Akagera after 6:00 PM. These guided tours last about 2.5 hours and cost $40 per person, with a minimum of two participants.
Night drives provide a rare chance to see nocturnal species, including:
- Leopards and hyenas
- Bush babies and elephant shrews
- Genets, civets, mongooses
- Owls and nightjars
