Game & Night Drives
Early morning and late afternoon drives in 4WD vehicles. The nocturnal drive runs about 2.5 hours for leopard, civet, serval and bushbaby.
$200 half day · $350 full day
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Rwanda · Big Five Savannah
5
Ways to Explore
Ways to Explore
Akagera National Park
Africa's largest protected wetland, two and a half hours from Kigali. Start with the five pages every visitor needs — then plan the rest of the trip.
Plan Your VisitRwanda's Parks in the World's Travel Press
About the Park
A Wetland Wilderness
on Rwanda's Eastern Edge.
Welcome to the independent visitor information portal for Akagera safaris in Rwanda — how to get there and when to go, the key attractions in the park, entrance fees and costs, hotels and lodges, the best safari companies, and our selection of Rwanda safari tours.
Akagera National Park lies in north-eastern Rwanda, on the border with Tanzania. Named after the Kagera River that feeds Lake Ihema and a chain of lakes and papyrus swamp, it is dominated by wide grass plains, cactus-like Euphorbia candelabra and pockets of forest. Surrounded by the cultivated hills so characteristic of Rwanda, it is the largest protected wetland in Africa — and one of the country's most remarkable eco-systems.
Discover
The Park
Seventy-six kilometres of park pressed against the Tanzanian border, never more than thirty-three wide. The Kagera River runs the whole eastern edge, feeding a chain of lakes and papyrus swamp. The south holds the main gate, headquarters and the boats; the north is wider, wilder country.
1,122km² park area
76 kmNorth to south
110 kmFrom Kigali
Things To Do
Game Drives, Boats
and 520 Bird Species.
Almost nothing here is bundled. Entry covers self-drive game viewing; every other activity is priced separately, which makes the park unusually easy to build a day around.
Boat Safari, Lake Ihema
The park's largest lake holds one of East Africa's biggest hippo concentrations, plus crocodiles and water birds along the shore.
$35 scheduled · $45 sunset
Learn MoreBirding & the Shoebill
Papyrus gonolek, red-faced barbet, swamp flycatcher and the elusive shoebill stork among 520 recorded species.
Best on the papyrus swamps
Learn MoreFishing, Lake Shakani
The only place in Rwanda where sport fishing is permitted. You keep what you catch, and you can grill it on the shore.
$25 per person per day
Learn More
Big Five Game Viewing
Savannah plains · Southern sector
View Details
Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Lake Ihema · Hippos & crocodiles
View Details
Birding the Wetlands
Papyrus swamps · 520 species
View Details01
Pick a Season
June to September is driest and best for game. Entry fees never change with season.
02
Get There
110 km from Kigali via Rwamagana to the southern gate, or fly with Akagera Aviation.
03
Sleep Inside
Entry halves on nights two and three, and is free from night four. Outside, you pay full every day.
04
Pay Cashless
Card, bank transfer, MTN MoMo or DPO. No cash is accepted anywhere in the park.
Entrance Fees
What a Day Here
Actually Costs.
Entry is charged per person per day for day visitors, and per night for anyone sleeping inside the park. It covers self-drive game viewing. Residency is verified at the gate — bring documentation or you will be charged the international rate.
Park Entry — Adults
| Visitor category | 1 day / night | 2 nights | 3 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| International visitor | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Foreign resident, Rwanda or EAC | $50 | $75 | $100 |
| Rwandan & EAC citizen | RWF 15,000 | 22,500 | 30,000 |
| Pan-African, outside EAC | $50 | $75 | $100 |
| Pan-African & EAC resident | $25 | $38 | $50 |
Children five and under are free, for entry and activities. Six to twelve pay roughly half. From thirteen, adult rates apply. Sleeping inside the park, entry halves for nights two and three and is not charged at all from night four, up to a week. Groups of more than twenty Rwandan nationals get an automatic 20% discount.
Vehicles, Guides & Activities
- Car or minibus$10
- Omnibus, bus or overlander$20
- Guide, half day$25
- Guide, full day$40
- Park vehicle, half day$200
- Park vehicle, full day$350
- Night drive, per adult$40
- Boat trip, scheduled$35
- Boat trip, sunset$45
- Private boat, up to 11$200
- Sport fishing, per day$25
- Cultural tour or Walk the Line$30
- Behind the Scenes tour$25
Guide fees are per guide, not per person — the best value item on the tariff for a family or group.
Best Time to Visit
Open All Year.
Best When Dry.
Game viewing is strongest from June to September, when thin vegetation opens up the sightlines and animals gather at the few remaining water sources. Park entry costs the same year-round; only accommodation moves with the season.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dry season — best game viewing, high season lodging
Shoulder — green, quiet, cheapest beds
Wet, but high season lodging mid-Dec to Feb
“
The animal population has grown from fewer than 5,000 in 2010 to over 13,000 and counting — an inspiring conservation story.
Where To Stay
From Canvas on the Lake to a Tent by the Fire.
Luxury · Northern concession
Wilderness Magashi Camp
Private concession in the north, on the shore of Lake Rwanyakazinga. The most exclusive address in the park, with a conservation levy charged on top of the nightly rate.
Park-run · Lake Ihema
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
The park's own tented camp on Lake Ihema, full board. Lake-facing tents along the shoreline, plus a treetop tent set above the water.
Mid-range · Southern sector
Akagera Game Lodge
The large lodge in the southern sector, sitting in the middle of the market. Commonly quoted with meals included.
Budget · Four campsites
Camping Inside the Park
Muyumbu, Shakani and Mutumba. Mihindi costs more but includes breakfast. Firewood is provided, and tents can be hired without bedding.
Popular Safaris
Ready-Made
Itineraries.
Two of the most-booked routes through Akagera, priced per person in mid-range accommodation. Operators will quote park fees, vehicle, guiding, activities and beds together — ask for the breakdown, not just the total.
3 Days
Akagera National Park
3 Day Akagera National Park Safari
Two nights inside the park with full-day game drives to the wilder northern plains, a sunset boat safari and an optional night…
From $940 per person
View Itinerary
6 Days
Akagera, Nyungwe & Volcanoes
6 Day Gorillas, Chimps & Akagera Safari
Rwanda's three great primate-and-plains experiences in one loop: Big Five game drives in Akagera, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe's ancient forest, and gorillas…
From $3,554 per person
View ItineraryIn the Park
Akagera in Pictures.
Explore Akagera
Everything in the Park,
in One Place.
Things to See & Do
Wildlife
Planning Your Visit
Where to Stay
