Originally a lush forest reserve, Akagera was designated a national park in 1934 by the Belgian colonial government to protect its remarkable wildlife. Once spanning 2,500 square kilometers, the park was teeming with animals like elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, leopards, hippos, antelopes, and Lycanos (wild dogs)—so many wild dogs, in fact, that Akagera earned the nickname "Park of Lycanos."

Sadly, by the early 1980s, these iconic wild dogs vanished due to disease, and by 1984, they were no longer seen. After the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, returning refugees settled in Akagera, clearing much of the park’s land for farming and survival. This led to: Massive poaching, Loss of wildlife, Destruction of 25% of the park, Extinction of lions and rhinos. By 2007, the last rhino was gone. Lions, once over 300 strong in the park, also disappeared.

In 2009, a groundbreaking partnership was formed between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). This led to the creation of the Akagera Management Company (AMC) in 2010, ushering in a new era of protection and sustainability. Major Achievements: 2015: 7 lions were reintroduced from South Africa after 15 years of absence, 2017: 18 black eastern rhinos arrived from South Africa, 2019: 5 more rhinos were brought from the Czech Republic—marking the longest translocation of rhinos from Europe to Africa (2,485 miles). These milestones have redefined Akagera as a model for successful African conservation.

Akagera is now a haven for wildlife lovers, nature photographers, and eco-travelers seeking an authentic African experience. It stands as: Rwanda’s only Big Five park, A symbol of hope and restoration, A testament to community-based conservation. Located in eastern Rwanda, Akagera is just 2.5 hours from Kigali by road and offers a wide range of activities, including: Game drives, Bird watching, Boat safaris, Camping and luxury lodges

Established in 1934 as a national park, Akagera is one of Central Africa’s largest protected wetlands and Rwanda’s last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species. 

In 2010, the Rwandan Government invited African Parks to partner with the Rwanda Development Board in managing Akagera, to support its conservation efforts and desire to utilise tourism as a driver for economic improvement. Since then, with effective management and wildlife conservation methods in place, Akagera has become home to abundant and thriving populations of wildlife species. Lion were reintroduced in 2015, eastern black rhino in 2017 and 2019, and 30 southern white rhino in 2021. Building on these results, an additional 70 southern white Rhino, were introduced in June 2025 as part of the Rhino Rewild initiative. 

The Akagera national park serves as home to a great diversity of wild animals among which are: elephants, lions, buffalos, hyenas, zebras, giraffe and several antelopes like the bushbucks, roan antelope, Topis, klipspringer, Oribis, Cape eland, water-buck, duikers and impalas. There are a number of primates species found within this park such as the olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, and the nocturnal bush babies. The shallow waters of Lake Ihema are home to a large number of crocodiles and hippos which can best be viewed during boat rides.

This park is one of the places that is not to be missed by any birder along with the great Nyungwe forest national park. It harbors 520 species of birds which are found in this national park. The birders who visit Akagera National Park are always impressed by the large number and great diversity of the bird species that range from water birds to forest birds, and also savannah species as well as migratory bird species. There are also a number of species that are endemic to the park and are so rare like the papyrus gonolex which is found in the papyrus swamps.

There are also the localized red-faced barbets, and the swamp fly catcher as well as the elusive shoebill stork all found in Akagera National park. Other species include: fish eagles, Grey-backed Fiscals, Cattle Egret, Black-headed & Viellot’s Black Weavers, Hamerkop, Pied Crow, Sacred & Hadada Ibis, Long-crested Eagle and the Augur Buzzard.

The distance from Kigali to Akagera national park is about 108 kilometers and the park can be accessed by either road a short flight. By road it takes about 2 hrs and 30 minutes-drive from Kigali the capital city vial the town of Rwamagana to the southern gate of the park (the northern gate is used for exit only at the moment). For those who would not wish to drive can opt for a short flight into Akagera and these services are provided by the Akagera Aviation.