Rwanda’s National Parks and the Big Five Safari Experience
Rwanda’s national parks each offer a unique safari experience, but only one of them is home to the famous Big Five animals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. That place is Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park, located in the eastern province along the border with Tanzania. Akagera has become a conservation success story, restoring species that were once wiped out and creating one of East Africa’s most exciting safari destinations.
Akagera National Park and the Big Five
Declared a protected area in 1934, Akagera National Park covers about 1,089 square kilometers of woodlands, wetlands, savannah, and rolling hills. The park takes its name from the Akagera River, which supplies water to a network of lakes and swamps, supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Originally, Rwanda lost its Big Five species during the years of instability, but through strong conservation partnerships, Akagera has been repopulated. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 from South Africa, and black rhinos arrived in 2017 through collaboration with the Czech Republic and the African Parks network. Today, Akagera is once again home to thriving populations of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, making it the only park in Rwanda where visitors can enjoy the complete Big Five safari experience.
Beyond the Big Five, Akagera is also home to giraffes, zebras, topis, warthogs, baboons, vervet monkeys, and countless antelope species. This makes game drives in the park a rewarding adventure at any time of year.
Birding in Rwanda’s National Parks
Akagera is also a paradise for birdwatchers. With more than 500 bird species recorded, the park is one of the best birding locations in Rwanda. Visitors can spot African fish eagles, shoebill storks, grey-crowned cranes, papyrus gonoleks, marabou storks, and colorful bee-eaters, among many others. Whether on a boat safari or a guided bird walk, bird enthusiasts will find plenty of highlights to enjoy.
Activities in Akagera National Park
A visit to Akagera offers more than traditional game drives. You can enjoy:
- Boat safaris on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and waterbirds gather at the shoreline. Morning and evening boat rides provide excellent photographic opportunities.
- Sport fishing on Lake Shakani, with a chance to catch catfish and tilapia while observing aquatic birds.
- Camping experiences at Mutumba, Shakani, and Muyumbu campsites, offering stunning views of the savannah and the night sky.
- Cultural tours in nearby villages such as Humure Refuge Village, where you can meet cattle-keeping communities, share meals, visit craft markets, and enjoy traditional music and dance.
Accommodation Options Around Rwanda’s National Parks
Akagera offers a variety of lodging options to suit all preferences. Luxury travelers can enjoy lodges such as Magashi Camp and Ruzizi Tented Lodge, while mid-range and budget options include Akagera Game Lodge, Rhino Lodge, and several nearby guesthouses.
Many visitors also combine a stay at Akagera with other destinations in Rwanda’s national parks, such as Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking.
Why Visit Rwanda’s National Parks?
Rwanda may be best known for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, but a complete safari in the country isn’t complete without a visit to Akagera for the Big Five. Together, Rwanda’s national parks showcase the country’s remarkable biodiversity from the mountain gorillas of the Virungas, to the chimpanzees of Nyungwe, to the savannah wildlife of Akagera. This variety makes Rwanda one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.
Experience the best of Rwanda’s national parks by combining a Big Five safari in Akagera with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes and primate tracking in Nyungwe. Explore our tailor-made safari packages and let us help you plan a seamless journey through Rwanda’s wild landscapes.
- 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
- 7 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari
- 10 Days Luxury Gorilla & Cultural Immersion Rwanda Safari
Contact us today to start booking your 2026/2027 Rwanda safari adventure.
