Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savanna national park and one of Africa’s most compelling rewilding stories. Situated in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border the park covers 1122 square kilometres of savanna, woodland, wetland, and lakes. After decades of decline and encroachment, a landmark partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks transformed Akagera from a struggling reserve into a thriving Big Five destination. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017 — both populations are now breeding successfully. The park’s mix of habitats supports a rich diversity of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, and over 500 bird species. Boat safaris on Lake Ihema offer a unique perspective with enormous concentrations of hippo and crocodile along the papyrus-fringed shores. Akagera pairs perfectly with gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park for a complete Rwandan safari.