Good accommodation is part of what makes a safari enjoyable and memorable, so for a visit to Akagera national park you need to stay at a place that is both comfortable and well within your budget.
Here are some of the places you can stay at in the Akagera area.
Ruzizi tented lodge
Designed and built by the Akagera management company, Ruzizi tented lodge was opened in 2013 and has since then been offering good accommodation for tourists in Rwanda. It is a 20-bed tented Eco-camp linked together using boardwalks, and is the first of its kind in Rwanda. It is located on the shores of Lake Ihema and has some very impressive African style decor.
It was creatively designed to blend in with the surrounding environment giving it a very natural habitat feel. It is quite small, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests, but it so worth the trouble to book accommodation here. The peace and quiet create the perfect atmosphere to commune with nature.
The lodge offers you the opportunity to explore less visited parts of Akagera national park in addition to the game drives and nature walks.
The lodge has nine tents, each fully furnished with a private bathroom as well.
Normal board basis is full board inclusive of breakfast lunch and dinner.
The lodge has constant power supply so you need not worry about sudden power cuts or shortages. Security is good, although there is some minimal possibility of encounters with wild animals.
Akagera game lodge
For a long time, Akagera game lodge was the only accommodation in the Akagera park area, and at the time it wasn’t even that nice, other lodges however have come up in the recent years, and this lodge has improved its facilities over the years. It are now two the only accommodation option s within the park. From the lodge you can enjoy some pretty amazing views of Lake Ihema.
The lodge offers comfortable accommodation with a simple but tastefully furnished rooms, restaurant, swimming pool, curio bar, tennis court and a few other life comforts. Usual board basis is full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is constant power supply, access to wifi and television for those who cannot live without communication channels.
Safari activities you can enjoy while staying at the lodge include: game drives in Akagera national park, guides for the game drive can either be from the park or from the safari company. Animals such as the sitatunga, lion, buffalo, masai giraffe, tsessebe are some of what you will se on te game drive. You an also go birding and enjoy the wide variety of bird life in the park.
Akagera game lodge can be accessed by either road, or air transfer means.
The lodge does not accept debit or credit cards, payment can be made in cash in eithwere RWF, US dollars, Euros or British pounds.
These two lodges rae the only accomodation options in akagera national park except for the
camping grounds.
If you are an outdoorsy person, or more adventurous looking to enjoy the african wildernes fully in all its splendor , then you can opt for the camping sites. Camping can actually be fun with groups of friends, and is much cheaper than staying in the lodge, although of course less comfortable as well.
There are a few hotels outside of the park by nearby such as Seeds of Hope Guesthouse, Cari hotel. LeMigo hotek, Discover Rwanda youth hostel, top tower hotel, Umubano hotel, Grand legacy hotel. The manor hotel, and so many more.
If you are not sure about where to stay or how to make bookings, ask your tour operator to make the bookings on your behalf, they will be sure to find something that fits within your budget, and that suits your needs.
-
Camping
This means sleeping in the park with completely nothing between you and the animals but just a thin sheet of super nylon and this is an exciting adventure and it’s so fair to Akagera Park. However, be aware of the roaming gangs of the baboons. These are so cheeky and will also do their best of stealing the food as well as terrorizing you since they are jerks and have got weird bums. Also spending the night around the campfire with friends, beers as well as the open sky which also makes a good break from the city life and is also one of the best overnight or weekend tours that can be done in Rwanda. There are also three campsites with the one in the north at Mutumba and it’s known as the most fantastic camp. Camping also costs $20 per person per night and the park can always rent you a 6 person tent for an extra $ 20 per person and this is for the two southern campsites. The campsites don’t have any other gear and make sure to always bring yours. Both campsites are well equipped with the BBQ and the firewood are provided and there is also a pit latrine and small shelter. The views at the campsites are so great and you can camp in the park with the wild animals that roam in the bush and this is so pretty cool.
Karenge Bush Camp
