National park · Rwanda
Akagera National Park
Visit Akagera for a 2‑day savanna safari: drive from Kigali (≈2 h), pay entry fee (≈RWF 3 000), do a morning boat on Lake Ihema and an afternoon game drive; best in dry season Jun–Sep; avoid rainy Mar‑May and Oct‑Nov.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
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Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2010
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Rwanda ↗Rwanda issues visas on arrival to all nationalities; check on the Directorate General of Immigration site whether your passport is fee-exempt, and use the official Irembo portal for any online application.
- Rwanda ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and carry a yellow fever certificate if you come from or connect through a risk country.
- Rwanda ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated on arrival; pack in fabric or paper.
- Rwanda ↗On the last Saturday morning of each month (Umuganda community work), many businesses close and traffic is restricted; plan transfers around it.
At a glance
- Country
- Rwanda
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Park covers about 1,200 km² (some sources cite over 1,200 km²); exact boundary revisions cause slight variations (check).
- Established
- 2010
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kigali
Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah reserve, hosts the Big 5 and extensive wetlands; revived since 2010 by African Parks, it offers boat trips on Lake Ihema, game drives, and a 7 km fence‑line walk, with the dry season (June‑September) providing the best wildlife viewing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2010.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2010
Park covers about 1,200 km² (some sources cite over 1,200 km²); exact boundary revisions cause slight variations (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kigali.
Why go
- Big‑five savanna in Rwanda with lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo and leopards.
- Lake Ihema boat trips for hippos, crocodiles and birding.
- Walking a 7 km (4.3 mi) fence line with a ranger for a behind‑the‑scenes view.Walking a 4.3 mi (7 km) fence line with a ranger for a behind‑the‑scenes view.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarStart of short rains
- AprRainy, muddy trails
- MayRainy, high mosquito risk
- JunLong dry season, warm
- JulDry, good wildlife viewing
- AugDry, warm
- SepDry, end of season
- OctShort rains return
- NovRainy, insects
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big 5 (lion, black rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Shoebill and 480+ bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate (Ruzizi) | Entry, visitor centre, game‑drive launch point. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Lake Ihema | Boat trips, hippos, crocodiles, birding. | Boat tours from gate (schedule). |
| Savannah plains | Game drives for Big 5. | Guided drives from lodges or park‑run vehicles. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on main gate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per adult) | RWF 3,000 | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for game drives and any off‑road activity.
- Camping
- Only at designated campsites; permits bought at gate.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
- Wildlife interaction
- No feeding or approaching animals; keep distance.
Where to stay
In the park
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Solar‑powered tents on Lake Ihema, ~US$195 per night.
In the park
Akagera Game Lodge
Contemporary rooms, ~US$190 per night.
In the park
Camping sites (Muyumbu, Shakani, Mutamba)
Tents $25 per person per night; bring own gear.
Safety
Malaria medium
Heat low
Road safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to boat launch.
- Game drives involve uneven terrain; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at park‑run lodges that use solar power.
- Support community guide programmes and buy local products.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Akagera National Park?
Entry is RWF 3 000 per adult (about US$2) as of 2026; children under 12 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Akagera National Park?
The 7 km fence‑line walk and short guided walks from the gate are the main trekking options; longer hikes are offered on the seasonal Trail de Akagera (check).
When is the best time to visit Akagera National Park?
The long dry season June‑September offers the best wildlife viewing and road conditions; avoid the short rains March‑May and October‑November.
Can I camp inside Akagera?
Yes, at three designated campsites (Muyumbu, Shakani, Mutamba) for $25 per person per night; you need a campsite permit from the gate.
Are night drives available?
Night drives are offered by park‑run operators and lodges; they require a guide and are subject to availability.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Akagera National Park
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