THE QUIET RETURN OF AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Discover Rwanda’s only Big Five destination

Tucked into Rwanda’s eastern frontier, Akagera National Park has quietly re-emerged as one of East Africa’s most remarkable conservation stories. Once devastated by decades of war and encroachment, Akagera has been reborn, a transformation driven by ambitious restoration and a commitment to coexistence. Today, it is the only Big Five reserve in Rwanda, a richly varied landscape of open plains, rolling hills, swamps and lakes that offers an utterly different safari to the misty mountain forests the country is known for. This is not a park of crowds and convoys, but of quiet encounters and wide, wild horizons.

Akagera’s setting is striking in itself. The park stretches along Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, covering more than 1,100 square kilometres of floodplains, grassy savannah, acacia woodland and papyrus-lined lakes. The contrast with Rwanda’s lush, hilly interior is dramatic, and so is the variety of wildlife. At dawn, giraffes move like shadows across the plains; by mid-morning, elephants drink at the lakeshores. In the evening, lions emerge to patrol the golden grasslands, while hippos grunt and shuffle into the wetlands beyond.

What makes Akagera truly compelling is not just what you see, but how far it has come. In the years following the 1994 genocide, the park was all but emptied of wildlife. Returning refugees settled on its lands and poaching was widespread. In 2010, a turning point came when African Parks, a conservation NGO, partnered with the Rwanda Development Board to manage and rehabilitate Akagera. Since then, infrastructure has been rebuilt, anti-poaching units established, and wildlife reintroduced.

Today, lions have returned after two decades of absence. Rhinos, both black and white, have been reintroduced. Elephants, buffalo, and leopards are thriving once more, completing the Big Five checklist. Akagera is one of the few places in East Africa where this comeback feels personal, the result of deliberate action and local stewardship rather than the luck of geography or history.

The diversity of habitats here supports more than just the Big Five. Antelope species such as impala, bushbuck, waterbuck and topi are abundant, moving across plains and woodland with fluid grace. Birding is exceptional, with over 480 species recorded. Residents include the majestic crowned crane, the elusive shoebill, and the striking papyrus gonolek. 

Lake Ihema, the largest body of water in the park, teems with fish and hosts flocks of waterfowl, herons and storks. Boat safaris provide a different perspective, gliding quietly past papyrus reeds while crocodiles and hippos share the water, and fish eagles call overhead.

Game drives in Akagera are unlike those in more heavily visited East African parks. Tracks are long and uninterrupted, with few other vehicles on the trail. This allows for private, intimate encounters with wildlife and a sense of real exploration. Guides are highly experienced, not only in spotting animals but in interpreting their behaviour, ecological interactions, and the history of the park. Guests leave not only with photographs but with a deeper understanding of the park’s ecosystem.

Akagera also offers experiences beyond traditional game-viewing. Conservation and community engagement are central to its identity. Visitors can learn about anti-poaching technology, from patrol operations to innovative monitoring systems. Local cooperatives provide insight into how tourism supports sustainable livelihoods, from crafts and agriculture to wildlife protection programmes. This connection between conservation and community makes every visit more meaningful.

Accommodation in Akagera is carefully curated to maintain the park’s integrity while offering comfort. Magashi Camp, a high-end tented lodge overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga, offers spacious tents, exceptional guiding and personalised service. Karenge Bush Camp provides seasonal immersion for travellers seeking a more rustic, hands-on safari experience. Both lodges emphasise responsible practices, ensuring the environment and wildlife are preserved while guests enjoy an immersive stay.

Logistics are simple and convenient. The park is just a 2,5-hour drive from Kigali, making it an easy addition to Rwanda itineraries. Akagera pairs seamlessly with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest. This combination allows travellers to experience the full breadth of Rwanda’s biodiversity, from lowland wetlands to highland rainforest, in a single trip.

Leadwood Holidays curates itineraries that weave together Akagera’s wildlife richness with Rwanda’s primate encounters, creating journeys that are dynamic and layered. Visitors can watch a pride of lions at dusk, track gorillas through misty montane forest in the morning, and unwind by the lakeshore as the sun sets. These experiences are structured to provide both adventure and comfort, allowing guests to connect deeply with Rwanda’s landscapes and communities.