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National park
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's Big Five savanna park, with lakes along the Tanzanian border.
- Eastern Province
- Best: Jun–Sep
- Entry from US$100
Overview
- Founded
- 1934
- Area
- 1,122 km²
- Managed by
- RDB with African Parks
- From Kigali
- About 2.5 hours to the south gate
Akagera National Park was founded in 1934 and covers 1,122 km² of savanna, hills and wetlands along the Kagera River and the border with Tanzania. Its chain of lakes and papyrus swamps, led by Lake Ihema, makes up about a third of the park.
Since 2010 the park has been managed by the Akagera Management Company, a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Lions were brought back in 2015 and rhinos later, so Akagera again holds all of the Big Five.
It is Rwanda's only savanna park and an easy trip from Kigali. Visitors can drive themselves with an optional park guide or join park-run game drives, night drives, boat trips and the Walk the Line fence walk.
- Boat trips on Lake Ihema
Hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds on scheduled one-hour trips, including at sunset.
- The Big Five
Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos in one park.
- Night drives
Park-run drives after dark to look for leopards and smaller nocturnal animals.
Things to do
- Self-drive safariGuide US$25 half day
Entry includes self-drive game viewing; hire a park guide if you like.
- Boat tripUS$35
Scheduled one-hour trips on Lake Ihema.
- Night driveUS$40
About 2.5 hours with a park vehicle and guide.
- Game drive with the parkUS$200 per vehicle
Half day for up to 7 people.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
June to September is driest, when animals gather near the lakes. December to February is also good. Wildlife is visible all year.
- Jan: Good
- Feb: Good
- Mar: Wetter
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Good
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Akagera Management Company (RDB and African Parks) (Pricing for Akagera National Park 2026–2027). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult, 13+)per person, one day or night (2 nights: US$150; 3 nights: US$200)Children 6–12: US$50 / US$30 / US$30 / RWF 10,000 (international / resident / Pan-African / EAC citizen). | US$100 | US$50 | US$50 | RWF 15,000 |
| Vehicle feeper car or minibus | US$10 | US$10 | US$10 | US$10 |
| Boat trip (scheduled)per adult, one hour; sunset trip US$45 | US$35 | US$35 | US$35 | US$35 |
| Night driveper adult, about 2.5 hours | US$40 | US$40 | US$40 | US$40 |
| Campingper adult per night (Rwandan nationals US$15) | US$25 | US$25 | US$25 | US$25 |
- Park entry (adult, 13+)per person, one day or night (2 nights: US$150; 3 nights: US$200)
- Foreign non-resident
- US$100
- Foreign resident
- US$50
- Rest of Africa
- US$50
- East African citizen
- RWF 15,000
Children 6–12: US$50 / US$30 / US$30 / RWF 10,000 (international / resident / Pan-African / EAC citizen).
- Vehicle feeper car or minibus
- Foreign non-resident
- US$10
- Foreign resident
- US$10
- Rest of Africa
- US$10
- East African citizen
- US$10
- Boat trip (scheduled)per adult, one hour; sunset trip US$45
- Foreign non-resident
- US$35
- Foreign resident
- US$35
- Rest of Africa
- US$35
- East African citizen
- US$35
- Night driveper adult, about 2.5 hours
- Foreign non-resident
- US$40
- Foreign resident
- US$40
- Rest of Africa
- US$40
- East African citizen
- US$40
- Campingper adult per night (Rwandan nationals US$15)
- Foreign non-resident
- US$25
- Foreign resident
- US$25
- Rest of Africa
- US$25
- East African citizen
- US$25
- Entry includes self-drive game viewing and is charged per day or night: the second and third nights are half price, and further nights up to a week are free. Children aged 6–12 pay less; under-6s are free.
- Pan-African visitors living in the EAC pay US$25. Payment is cashless (MTN MoMo, card or bank transfer).
- The parks are managed by RDB with African Parks and do not say whether prices include VAT. Confirm the amount when you book.
Getting there
- By roadFrom KigaliAbout 2.5 hours
East via Kayonza to the south gate near Lake Ihema. You can leave by the north gate towards Nyagatare.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Visitors staying outside the park pay entry for each day they enter.
- Pick up a guide at reception before 9 am for a half-day rate. A guide leaving by the north gate is charged for a full day.
- The park is cashless; pay by MTN MoMo, card or bank transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Akagera entry fee?
US$100 per international adult for a day or night (US$150 for two nights, US$200 for three), US$50 for foreign residents and other African citizens, and RWF 15,000 for Rwandan and EAC citizens.
Can I self-drive in Akagera?
Yes. Entry includes self-drive game viewing; a park guide costs US$25 for half a day or US$40 for a full day.
Does Akagera have the Big Five?
Yes. Lions returned in 2015 and rhinos were reintroduced later, so all five are present.
Sources
Checked on 25 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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