Discover Akagera National Park

Experience the wild heart of Rwanda at Akagera National Park, a breathtaking 1,122-square-kilometer sanctuary and a proud member of National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2026” list.

Discover Akagera National Park: Rwanda’s Big Five Jewel

As Rwanda’s only savannah destination, Akagera offers a spectacular landscape of rolling highlands, open plains, and Central Africa’s largest protected wetland. Following a decade of successful conservation and species reintroduction, the park is now a thriving home to the legendary Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the recently reintroduced eastern black rhinos.

Lions in the Akagera National Park. This protected area in eastern Rwanda is covering 1,122 km2 (433 sq. mi) along the Tanzanian border.

Why Akagera is a Must-Visit

  • The Big Five & More: Spot massive herds of zebras, giraffes, and 11 species of antelope, including the rare sitatunga.
  • A Birder’s Paradise: With over 480 species, it is one of the best places in the world to catch a glimpse of the prehistoric-looking Shoebill stork.
  • Aquatic Adventures: Glide across Lake Ihema on a boat cruise to see hippos and giant Nile crocodiles basking in the sun.
  • Exclusive Safari Feel: Unlike the crowded parks of East Africa, Akagera offers an intimate, low-impact tourism experience where you can enjoy the sunrise in near-total solitude.
The Akagera National park was founded in 1934 and includes savannah, montane and swamp habitats.

Rutete Eco Lodge: Your Gateway to the Wild

The key to a perfect safari is being first through the gates at dawn, when wildlife is most active. Rutete Eco Lodge is strategically located in Rwinkwavu, just 18 kilometers from the main southern entrance.

  • Less than 15 minutes away: Our lodge is a mere 15-minute drive from the park’s South Gate, ensuring you spend less time on the road and more time in the savannah.
  • The Perfect Home Base: After a day of dusty game drives, retreat to our peaceful forest garden. Enjoy a blend of nature, history, and sustainable hospitality, with comfortable rooms and a family-friendly restaurant serving authentic local and international cuisine.

Book your stay at Rutete Eco Lodge today and experience Akagera National Park from its very doorstep.

The park is named after the Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes.

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