Akagera National Park | Rwanda Big Five Wildlife Safaris

One of the biggest protected wetlands in Central Africa, Akagera was established as a national park in 1934. It is also the sole remaining sanctuary for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.

With the goal of bolstering conservation efforts and capitalising on tourism as an economic driver, the Rwandan government reached out to African Parks in 2010 to form a partnership with the Rwanda Development Board in the management of Akagera. Following the implementation of efficient management strategies and wildlife conservation initiatives, Akagera is now teeming with a wide variety of animals. Southern white rhinos—30 of them—will be reintroduced in 2021, following the lion in 2015 and the eastern black rhino in 2017 and 2019. In June 2025, 70 more southern white rhino were introduced as part of the Rhino Rewild Initiative, building on these results.

Surveys, especially those of amphibians and reptiles, have helped add new species to the park’s records, while monitoring and research have continued to offer deeper insights into conservation activities. The discovery of around 500 bird species further establishes Akagera as a significant location for ornithologists.

Akagera National Park Rwanda

In addition to providing a safe refuge for animals, the park has become an incredible boon to local businesses thanks to community-led efforts that have sped up economic development and spread the word about the advantages of a conservation-led economy.

Every year, more than 2,000 kids receive environmental education, and more than 18,000 members of the community attend meetings to talk about conservation and problems with human-wildlife conflict.

With 97% of the park’s total yearly revenue coming from tourism in 2024 and 45% of tourists being Rwandan, Akagera has become a significant source of income for the park.

These monies will go straight back into the park, helping to boost the economy by funding sustainable development projects and new jobs in the area.

In addition, ten percent of the park’s earnings go toward Rwanda’s revenue-sharing program, which funds local initiatives like schools, clinics, and cooperatives, all of which contribute to community development.

To this day, Akagera National Park is still actively involved in the local community, helping the environment and the people who live in it by providing social and economic advantages.

Akagera National Park Highlights

  • In June 2025, the park’s healthy population was supplemented with 70 southern white rhino.
  • An notable ornithological site, Akagera has 179 butterfly species, four of which are new to the park, and nearly 500 bird species.
  • In October 2022, Gishanda Fish Farm, which is situated 10 km away from Akagera, began operations. For the sake of both people and the environment, this groundbreaking initiative is farming tilapia in a sustainable way.
  • No high-value species has been lost to poaching since 2010, thanks to effective conservation law enforcement programs and community engagement.
  • As a component of their environmental education program, over 3,000 community people and over 2,000 schoolchildren visit Akagera National Park annually.
  • Akagera is now more than 90% self-sufficient due to the continued development in park revenue generation.