Rwanda

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Akagera National Park

Rwanda's Big Five savannah and wetlands

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Akagera National Park Plan a trip around Rwanda

Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Rwanda

Photo: Louis Dewame, CC BY 3.0

Akagera National Park is a 1,122 km² protected area in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border, mixing savannah, mountains, lakes and papyrus swamps. It is the country's only Big Five reserve and its largest protected wetland, known for boat safaris, birding and a remarkable conservation comeback.

Largest cities

Kigali
Gisenyi
Butare
Musanze
Rwamagana

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Rwanda
Capital: Kigali
Region population: 1,122
Population of Rwanda: 14.6M
Country area: 26,338 km²
Official language: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, and French
Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF) · 1 USD ≈ 1,476 RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +250
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 1,286 m
Plugs: C / J · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 113 · 114
Best time to visit: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	28°	29°	28°	26°	27°	28°	29°	29°	29°	29°	27°	27°
Low	17°	17°	17°	17°	17°	16°	16°	16°	16°	17°	17°	17°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$88
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$220
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$455

Plan a trip to Akagera National Park

Top things to do

≈ $50
Southern Loop Game Drive
Drive the rolling savannah for giraffe, zebra, buffalo and elephant; go early morning for the best sightings and cooler air.
- Half day
- Southern savannah and Muyumbu
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Lake Ihema Boat Trip
Scheduled boat trips get close to hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds including the shoebill; four departures run each day.
- Half day
- Lake Ihema and central lakes
- Good for kids
≈ $60
Night Drive
A spotlight drive run by the park or your lodge gives a much higher chance of seeing leopards, hyenas and other predators.
- Half day
- Park headquarters and Karenge
- Good in the evening
≈ $50
Wetland Birding
Over 480 species have been recorded in the papyrus swamps and lakes; bring binoculars and a guide who knows the calls.
- Half day
- Kagera River and eastern boundary
- Good for kids
≈ $50
Fishing on Lake Shakani
Fish from the shore or a boat on this quiet lake; you must bring your own fishing equipment.
- Half day
- Southern savannah and Muyumbu
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Community Cultural Visit
Community freelance guides run farm, banana-beer and honey cooperative visits that show how people live around the park.
- Half day
- Park headquarters and Karenge
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Behind-the-Scenes Conservation Tour
Tour park headquarters, meet the management team and walk a 7 km stretch of the fence line with a ranger.
- Half day
- Park headquarters and Karenge
- Indoors
Free
Trail de Akagera Backpacking
A five-day guided backpacking trail through remote park country, run in a short season from August to October; you carry all your own gear.
- Full day
- Northern lakes and Magashi sector

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa for Rwanda; citizens of Commonwealth countries and many other nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival, while others can apply online for an e-visa before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and have one blank page, and a yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with transmission risk. Check the latest rules on Rwanda's official immigration website before you travel.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors fly into Kigali International Airport and drive about two hours east to the park entrance, usually by rented car or organised transfer. Lodges inside the park arrange game drives and pickups from Kigali.

Getting around

A rented 4x4 or a lodge vehicle is the practical way around; game drives, night drives and boat trips are run by the park or your lodge.

Local tips

Bring a yellow fever vaccination certificate, as it is required to enter the country.
Take malaria precautions and drink bottled water; tap water is not recommended.
Wear neutral-coloured clothing and closed shoes for walking safaris and boat trips.
The dry season from June to September gives the best game viewing; March to May and November to December are wetter.

Areas worth knowing

Park headquarters and Karenge
Lake Ihema and central lakes
Northern lakes and Magashi sector
Southern savannah and Muyumbu
Kagera River and eastern boundary

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK