Akagera

Akagera is a national park in eastern Rwanda and the country’s largest protected area, covering about 1,122 square kilometers along the border with Tanzania. It lies in the upper Akagera River basin and includes a series of lakes and wetlands, notably Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s largest lake, which lies within the park.

The park encompasses a mosaic of savanna, wetlands, Papyrus swamps, and forest patches. Its varied habitats support a dynamic hydrological system that sustains a rich assemblage of wildlife and migratory birds, contributing to Akagera’s role as a key conservation area in the region.

Fauna and flora are the park’s core attractions. Large mammals such as elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles are common, with various antelope species also inhabiting the area. Predators include lions and leopards. The birdlife is prolific, with more than 500 species documented, including waterfowl and species adapted to papyrus and savanna environments. In the 2010s, a major restoration program led by African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board reintroduced and reinforced populations of key species, notably the eastern black rhinoceros and the lion, as part of ecosystem recovery.

Management and tourism: Akagera is managed through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and conservation organizations, focusing on habitat restoration, anti-poaching, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. Visitors can engage in game drives, boat safaris on Lake Ihema, guided walks, and stay at park-adjacent lodges and camps, with access primarily via road from Kigali or by local flights to park airstrips.