Akagera National Park’s mosaic of lakes and savannah in eastern Rwanda
Published on 08/12/2026 at 13:56 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Akagera National Park stretches along Rwanda’s eastern frontier near Kayonza, where a chain of lakes, wetlands and rolling savannah forms one of Central Africa’s most varied protected landscapes. Established as a national park in 1934, it covers about 1,122 km² (433 sq mi) beside the border with Tanzania and is named for the Akagera River that feeds its lakes.
Lakes, river and wetlands at Rwanda’s eastern edge
Akagera National Park occupies a strip of land in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, following the course of the Akagera River along the frontier with Tanzania.a protected area in eastern Rwanda The river forms the park’s eastern boundary and gives the reserve its name, while also supplying water to a chain of lakes set among extensive papyrus swamps and floodplains.Akagera as Central Africa’s largest protected wetland
The park’s best known lake is Lake Ihema, a broad sheet of water edged by reeds and low woodland. Around it lies a mosaic of marsh, seasonally inundated grassland and higher ground that rises towards the drier savannah. From viewpoints on the park’s ridges, the pattern of dark papyrus belts, reflective lakes and light-coloured open plains becomes clear, with the Akagera River marking the transition to Tanzania on the far side.
Savannah hills and Rwanda’s only classic safari landscape
Away from the wetlands, Akagera National Park opens into warm, low-lying plains with a patchwork of savannah, woodland and scrub.savannah, woodland, wetland and lakes This is Rwanda’s only protected area where broad grasslands and scattered trees stretch far enough to resemble the classic East African safari scene. Termite mounds punctuate the slopes and valleys, dirt tracks follow the contours of the hills, and occasional rocky outcrops provide views over the plains and lakes below.a network of lakes, wetlands, savannas and woodlands
Akagera’s position in the east of Rwanda, east of Kigali and close to Kayonza, places this savannah landscape within reach of the country’s main road network.situated on the eastern edge of Rwanda Game-drive routes use the undulating terrain, climbing to ridges and descending towards lakeshores, so that scenes of open grassland, wooded slopes and distant wetland follow in succession. In the far north, long views take in broad plains that contrast with Rwanda’s more familiar highland scenery elsewhere.
Conservation story and wildlife in Akagera
Akagera National Park was proclaimed in 1934, during the administration of Ruanda-Urundi, with the aim of protecting the region’s savannah, wetlands and associated wildlife.established as a national park in 1934 In 2010, management of the park passed to African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, forming a long-term agreement that focuses on ecological restoration and community-based management.African Parks management partnership since 2010
Since that agreement, Akagera has re-established a full complement of large savannah mammals, including the so-called Big Five, within its boundaries.Rwanda’s only savannah reserve and home to the Big Five Herds of plains herbivores such as antelope and zebra use the park’s grasslands, while hippos and crocodiles occupy the lakes and channels. More than 500 bird species have been recorded in the wider area, reflecting the range of habitats from open water and swamp to lightly wooded savannah.
Visiting Akagera National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Akagera National Park lies in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, east of Kigali and close to Kayonza, along the country’s border with Tanzania. Access by road uses the southern entrance near Kiyonza.
- Game drives in Akagera follow unpaved tracks that cross rolling hills and descend towards lakeshores, so vehicles travel on sometimes uneven surfaces with occasional steeper gradients.
- The park sits at a lower elevation than Rwanda’s highland interior, with warm conditions and open terrain that provide clear views over the savannah and wetlands on dry days.
- Akagera is in Rwanda, where the official languages include Kinyarwanda, French and English, and the currency is the Rwandan franc.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Akagera National Park
Where is Akagera National Park?
Akagera National Park is in eastern Rwanda, in the Eastern Province near Kayonza, along the country’s border with Tanzania and following the course of the Akagera River.
What can visitors expect on a visit?
Visitors encounter a mix of lakes, papyrus swamps, rolling savannah and woodland, with game-drive tracks that lead to viewpoints over plains, wetlands and the Akagera River.
What makes Akagera National Park distinctive?
Akagera is Rwanda’s only savannah national park and protects Central Africa’s largest protected wetland, combining classic safari grasslands with a chain of lakes and extensive marshes.
