Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is one of those places that often flies under the radar, but one you're there, you wonder why the whole world isn't talk about it. It's Rwanda's only Big Five park, and it's utterly transformed over the last decade. If you're looking for a genuine safari experience without the crowds, in a setting that's as scenic as it is wildlife-rich, Akagera is very hard to beat.

Located in Rwanda's far east, right up against the border with Tanzania. It's around a 3-hour drive from Kigali, mostly on smooth tarmac roads, which makes it incredible accessible - no light aircraft, no long transfers, no faff. The drive itself is part of the adventure. You leave the capital behind and watch the scenery change dramatically, from Kigali's rolling hills to wide, open plains and shimmering lakes. It's a journey that hints at what's to come!

Akagera really is special. First, the landscapes - Akagera isn't your classic dusty savannah. It's a blend of open plains, acacia woodland, papyrus swamps, and a string of large lakes, all underpinned by volcanic hills. It's lush, it's green, and it feels alive in a way that some drier parks don't. The birdlife here is off the charts, with over 480 recorded species, and the lakes are home to hippos, crocodiles, and a beautiful variety of aquatic life.

Then there's the story. Just over a decade ago, Akagera was on its knees. Wildlife had been decimated by poaching and conflict, and the park had very little in the way of infrastructure. But thanks to a remarkable partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, Akagera has made one of the most successful conservation comebacks in Africa. Lions were reintroduced in 2015, followed by black rhino in 2017 and white rhino in 2021. Today, the park is thriving. You can see all the Big Five here - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos - plus zebras, giraffes, topis, impalas, warthogs, hyenas, and much more.

There is so much to get up to in Akagera. You can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives - the northern sector of the park is especially good for spotting predators and plains game, while the south has more lakes and swamps, which are brilliant for birds and hippos. You can also go on boat safaris on Lake Ihema which is something that we really recommend - it's peaceful, it's scenic, and it offers a completely different perspective. Expect pods of hippos, massive crocs, and a spectacular variety of birds - fish eagles, herons, kingfishers, and the much sought-after shoebill stork if you are lucky. Akagera is also one of the few parks in the region that offers night safaris, which gives you the chance to see nocturnal species like bush babies, civets, and, if you're really lucky, leopard!

It is a year-round destination, but the best wildlife viewing tends to be in the dry seasons: June to September, and again from mid-December to February. During these months, animals gather around the lakes and rivers, and the roads are also easier to navigate. That said, the park is green and beautiful year-round, and because it's not on the mainstream safari circuit, you won't be battling crowds even in peak season.

Combining Volcanoes National Park for example with Akagera gives you the full picture: rainforest and savannah, mountain and lowland, gorillas and the Big Five. And the contrast between the two is incredible.