Akagera National Park

Wildlife

All of the Big Five now live in Akagera: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and black and white rhino. Hippo and Nile crocodile are common in the lakes, and giraffe, zebra, topi, impala, waterbuck, eland, oribi and the swamp-dwelling sitatunga are found in the park. Spotted hyena, side-striped jackal and several smaller predators complete the picture.

Akagera’s elephants have an unusual history. In 1975, a group of young elephants was moved by air and road from Bugesera, in the south of the country, where their habitat was being lost to farming. Their descendants now roam the park, and the herd has grown steadily under protection.

Birdlife is outstanding, with around 500 species recorded. The papyrus swamps are home to the rare shoebill, as well as the papyrus gonolek and other wetland specialists, and fish eagles are common over the lakes.

Key wildlife

• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Lion
• Leopard
• Black rhino
• White rhino
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Topi
• Sitatunga
• Hippo
• Nile crocodile
• Shoebill

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: Jun–Sep. Also good: Dec–Feb.

Peak Good Quieter

Akagera can be visited year-round. The dry season, from about June to September, is the best time for game viewing, when vegetation thins and animals gather around the lakes. December to February is a shorter dry period that is also good.

The rainy seasons, from about March to May and from October to November, turn the park green and bring migrant birds, but some tracks can become slippery.

Akagera lies at a lower altitude than much of Rwanda, so days are warm to hot, especially before the rains. Malaria is present, so speak to a travel clinic about prevention before you travel.

Getting There

Akagera’s main southern gate is about two and a half to three hours’ drive from Kigali International Airport (KGL), making it possible to visit on a long day trip, though an overnight stay is far more rewarding.

Roads inside the park are mostly gravel, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended, especially in the rainy season. Self-drive visitors can hire a park guide at reception. Visitors often enter in the south and exit through the northern gate, so plan your route and timing in advance.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

The entry fee includes self-drive game viewing and is charged per day for day visitors, or per night for guests staying inside the park. On the 2026–2027 price list, international visitors pay US$100 per adult and US$50 per child aged 6–12 for one day or night, US$150 and US$75 for two nights, and US$200 and US$100 for three nights; further nights up to a week are free. Foreign residents of Rwanda and the EAC and visitors from elsewhere in Africa pay US$50 per adult, and Rwandan and EAC citizens RWF 15,000. Children aged 5 and under are free.

Guides, boat trips, night drives and other activities are charged separately. Visitors staying outside the park pay entry for each day they enter.

Gate hours

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Health

Malaria risk: Moderate. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials before you go.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Game drives, both by day and at night, are the best way to explore the savannah and look for the Big Five.

Boat trips on Lake Ihema bring you close to hippos, crocodiles and a wealth of water birds.

Behind-the-scenes experiences, offered by the park, give an insight into Akagera’s conservation work.

Fishing on Lake Shakani and community visits to neighbouring villages are also available.

Walk the Line is a guided walk along a section of the park’s boundary fence, giving an insight into the work that keeps wildlife and neighbouring farms apart.

Birdwatching is rewarding all year, with the chance of shoebill in the swamps.

Explore Rwanda’s other parks, such as Volcanoes and Nyungwe, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.