Akagera National Park: Rwanda's savannah safari after your gorilla trek

Akagera National Park: the short answer

Akagera National Park is Rwanda's savannah safari park, and it is the natural add-on to a gorilla trek. It lies in the east of the country, on the Tanzanian border. After days in the cool volcano forest, the open plains feel like a different world.

The park holds lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and hippos. It also has lakes, papyrus swamps and hundreds of bird species. African Parks runs it in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, and the results are visible in the wildlife.

This guide explains what Akagera National Park offers, how to reach it and how to fit it around your gorilla permit. It also covers when to go and who the park suits best. For the full country plan, start with our Rwanda gorilla trekking guide.

Why add this park to a gorilla trip

A gorilla trek gives you one unforgettable hour. Akagera adds the classic safari that many visitors still want. So the two together make a balanced Rwanda journey.

Rwanda is small, which helps. Roads are paved, and distances are short compared with most safari countries. Therefore you can see forest primates, savannah wildlife and city culture in one week.

The park also suits travellers who do not want a long drive. Akagera National Park lies roughly two to three hours from Kigali, depending on traffic and the gate you use. Because of that, it works well as a short add-on of two nights.

If your plan also includes Uganda, our guide to combining both countries shows how the pieces fit.

From lions to lakes: wildlife in the park

Akagera National Park has recovered strongly in recent years. Lions returned in 2015, and black rhinos came back in 2017. With elephants and buffalo already present, the park again offers the Big Five. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the odds improve with good guides.

Giraffes, zebras, topi, impala and roan antelope graze the open plains. Hippos and crocodiles fill the lakes. In addition, the park is a strong birding area, with papyrus specialists and many water birds. Shoebill sightings are possible but rare, so treat them as a bonus.

The landscape changes as you move. Rolling hills and acacia woodland give way to wetlands and wide lakes. As a result, a single day of driving feels varied.

Wildlife numbers change over time, so confirm current details on the African Parks Akagera page.

Game drives and boat trips in Akagera National Park

Game drives are the heart of a visit. Most guests join a morning drive and an afternoon drive. Dawn and dusk give the best light and the most activity.

A boat trip on Lake Ihema is the second highlight. From the water you can watch hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles at close range. The boat is also a calm change of pace after a drive. Our Kazinga Channel boat cruise guide shows a similar experience in Uganda.

Night drives are sometimes offered, which opens a chance to see nocturnal animals. Ask us whether they suit your dates, and confirm the details on the official site.

If you love savannah wildlife, compare this park with Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Both offer boat cruises and open plains.

How to reach Akagera National Park from Kigali

The drive from Kigali to the park takes around two to three hours. The road is paved for most of the way, and a private vehicle with a driver guide makes the trip easy. Gates sit at the southern and northern ends, so your lodge decides which one you use.

Plan the order of your trip carefully. Some travellers visit Akagera first, then drive north for gorillas. Others finish with the safari after the trek, which gives tired legs a rest. Both work. However, a rest at the end often feels better.

Our Kigali to Volcanoes guide covers the northern route, and the Volcanoes National Park page describes the trek itself.

Who Akagera National Park suits

Akagera National Park suits several kinds of traveller. It is a good match for first-time safari guests who want a gentle introduction. The roads are good, the distances are short and the lodges are comfortable.

It also suits families, because the game drives are easy on children and the boat trip is a highlight. Remember that gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, so a savannah stop gives younger travellers a wildlife experience of their own. Our family gorilla safari guide explains how to plan for mixed ages.

Photographers will enjoy the open light and the lake birds. Our photography tips work well on safari too. Finally, travellers with limited time can fit Akagera National Park into a long weekend after the trek.

If you prefer one country and a single base, you may skip it. In that case, a longer stay near the volcanoes may suit you better.

Where to sleep in and around the park

Lodging comes in a few forms. Some lodges stand inside the park, with views over lakes or plains. Others sit just outside the gates and make a good base for early drives. Camping options also exist for adventurous guests.

Comfort ranges from simple tented camps to refined lodges with pools. Because choice is limited, rooms fill quickly in the dry months. So share your dates early and we will match a lodge to your plan. For prices, ask for your quote.

Before the trek, you will probably sleep near the volcanoes. Our guide on where to stay in Musanze covers that part of the journey.

Practical tips for your visit

A few habits make the visit smoother. Most of them are simple.

• Bring binoculars. Distant animals are much easier to enjoy with them.
• Wear neutral colours, a hat and sunscreen.
• Use insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Stay inside your vehicle during drives, unless your guide says otherwise.
• Keep a respectful distance, and never feed animals.
• Check the official site for entry rules, because details can change.

Your guide will explain the park rules at the start. Listen closely, because they protect both you and the animals. Rwanda keeps its parks tightly managed, so rules are clear and consistently applied.

A sample plan for Akagera National Park

This simple plan shows how a short add-on can look. Your own plan will follow your permit date and your flights.

Three days is a comfortable minimum for relaxed drives. A fourth day lets you add a second boat trip or a long birding morning, which many keen wildlife lovers enjoy.

Longer stays at Akagera National Park are possible, and they add time for birding and quiet lake views. For ready-made routes, see our Rwanda tours. The 8 days best of Kigali Rwanda safari is a good starting point for a wider trip.

The best months for game viewing

The dry seasons are the easiest for game viewing. They run roughly from June to September and from December to February. Animals gather near water, and grass is shorter, so they are easier to spot.

The wetter months bring green landscapes and fewer visitors. Birding is excellent then, and many migrants arrive. However, some tracks become slippery.

The park sits at a lower altitude than the gorilla forest, so it is warmer. Pack light clothes for the day and a layer for the evening. Our packing list covers the trek, and you can add savannah items such as a hat and sunscreen.

Because the area is low and warm, ask your doctor about malaria cover. Our vaccines guide explains the basics.

Combining Akagera National Park with chimps and gorillas

Rwanda offers three headline primate and wildlife experiences. Gorillas live in the Volcanoes region. Chimpanzees live in Nyungwe forest, as our Nyungwe chimpanzee guide explains. Big game lives in Akagera.

A longer trip can cover all three. Many travellers pair gorillas with the golden monkeys, as the golden monkey guide shows. Then they add Akagera for plains wildlife.

The trip pages below show how these parts fit together. They include the 5-day Rwanda gorillas and chimps tour and the 5-day gorillas and culture tour. Ask for your quote and tell us how many days you have.

Frequently asked questions