Accommodations inside Akagera National Park
Accommodations inside Akagera National Park, Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah park, located in the eastern province close to the Tanzania border. It covers about 1120square kilometers and is one of Africa’s oldest national parks that was gazetted in 1934.
The park comprises low-lying plains, savannah, woodland, swamp, and twelve lakes. It is an exceptional safari destination. The wide-open space in the northern region is perfect for seeing wildlife.
Akagera National Park faced a great decline during the 1994 Rwanda genocide as almost all the animals were killed and settlers occupied part of the park after the genocide. Thanks to the Rwandan government, in collaboration with African Parks, for the effort to increase the number of Big Five animals that roam the park, the 18 eastern black rhinos that were returned are doing well, while a pride of lions from South Africa is settling in and reproducing nicely.
Visitors can also meet buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an amazing 490 bird species, and so much more!
A boat ride on Lake Ihema is another great thing to do in Akagera. There are big groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and lots of waterbirds on the island in the middle of the lake.
When it comes to exploring the park, the best way to do it is by vehicle, whether you go with a tour operator or drive independently. During nighttime trips, the National Park also provides a vehicle that can be rented, and the services of a game guide are highly recommended for safety purposes.
If you want to sleep inside the park, it’s possible if you place your booking at one of the many lodges or specific camping sites.
The accommodation in this park includes:
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Ruzizi Tented Lodge is a luxury and comfortable accommodation in Akagera National Park. it eco eco-friendly and located within the park, close to Lake Ihema in the southern part of the park, near the park’s main gate.
Built to seamlessly integrate with its natural setting, this environmentally friendly resort is powered entirely by solar energy and enables guests to connect with nature. Much of the furnishings and artwork were made by hand by local craftspeople and cooperatives. It was opened in 2012 and surfaces as one of the best places for a comfortable stay on your Akagera National Park safari.
Amenities at Ruzizi Tented Lodge: The Ruzizi tented camp has nine en suite, comfortable tents, carefully designed in an African style with grass thatched roofs. Tents are well furnished to offer peace and relaxation. Each tent has private amenities, including flushing toilets, mosquito netting, and hot running showers or tubs
The rooms are well set with satellite TVs, dryers, and many other modern conveniences. Private balconies, seating areas, and verandas offer a perfect spot to relax while enjoying the stunning views of the lake, the nearby hills, and wetlands. The rooms are furnished with luxurious bedding. Afire place is also available to provide warmth to visitors at night.
Meals are served in a spacious restaurant by hospitable and well-trained personnel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be served both indoors and outdoors. A well-stocked bar is also available with beverages and wines that you can enjoy as you admire the breathtaking views of Lake Ihema.
Activities at Ruzizi Tented Lodge.
From Ruzizi Tented Lodge, guests can engage in activities like day and night game drives, fishing, and boat cruises on Lake Ihema. It’s important to note that the lodge does not organise these activities but can act as a starting point after being organised by the park authorities or tour operators.
How to get to Ruzizi Tented Lodge: driving to Ruzizi Tented Lodge from Kigali takes two and a half hours to Akagera National Park. From the main gate in the southern part of the park, you reach the lodge after a 15-minute drive on your right towards Lake Ihema.
Magashi Safari Camp:
This is a newly established safari camp located in the northern part of Akagera National Park. It’s a high-end accommodation that offers breathtaking views of the park and overlooks Lake Rwanyakazinga. It sis the only permanent accommodation in the northern part of the park, opened in 2019.
The interior and exterior architectural structures reflect traditional Rwandan culture.
Amenities at Magashi safari camp: Magashi camp has 8 tented suites with double/king-sized beds, twin beds, and room for an additional bed on request. The beds have
ensuite bathrooms, spacious decks, mosquito nets, a mini bar, a safe, a working table, and free WIFI.
Additional amenities at the accommodation include, lounge and dining area, swimming pool, a well-stocked bar, gym and spar treatment, and laundry services.
Activities offered by Magashi safari camp
Game drives from this accommodation are so fruitful as the northern part of the park has a high concentration of wildlife, including the big five, antelope species, and other small predators. Game drives are often conducted in the early mornings and afternoon hours.
Tourists at the camp can enjoy boat trips on Lake Rwanyakazinga, which has crocodiles, hippos, and several waterbird species.
Guided nature walks are also organised at the accommodation. Guests should notify the lodge management in advance so that they can organise a trained guide for the activity
Fishing is also done on the lake. Tourists always enjoy the catch – and- release fishing activity. Some of the fish species in the lake include tilapia and catfish.
How to get to Magashi safari camp: This safari camp can be accessed by both road and air from Kigali. Travelling by road from Kigali takes 5-6 hours. As you travel, expect to see wildlife. When you take a flight from Kigali International Airport helicopter takes 20- 30 minutes landing at Magashi camp.
Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
This is midrange accommodation in the southern part of Akagera National Park. it is situated on the gentle ridge overlooking Lake Ihema and Shakani. It is often chosen by tourists to the parkas it is only 5 kilometers from the southern park gate.
Amenities at Akagera Game Lodge: Akagera Game Lodge is managed by Mantis Resort since 2019. It has 60 well-constructed ensuite rooms that match the blend of the surrounding environment. The rooms have good air conditioning, comfortable king-size beds, mosquito nets, working desk, wardrobe, hair driers, bathrooms with both warm and cold water, flushing toilets with free toiletries, electric kettle, televisions to keep you updated with news about whats happening in the country and a private veranda where clients relax and enjoy views of the park.
Additional offers at the facility include
Free WI_FI, a good restaurant where delicious meals are served by hospitable attendants, a swimming pool, a tennis court, a well-stocked bar, and a gift shop where guests can buy some souvenirs.
Activities offered by Akagera Game Lodge:
Staying at Akagera Game Lodge offers you an opportunity to participate in activities like morning and afternoon game drives, where you can see animals like buffalo, leopard, rhino, antelopes, and many others. Other activities are boat cruises, fishing, birding, and guided nature walks, among others.
Karenge Bush Camp:
This is a mobile facility located in the northern part of Akagera National Park. the bush camp comprises 6 canvas tents that accommodate 12 people. It is an amazing facility that provides an intimate experience in the wilderness with a clear view of the Kilala plains.
The word Karenge is interpreted as “small footprint” in Kinyarwanda, and the camping facility was named after the place where it was first set up. The camp is set up twice a year for at least three months and later disassembled.
Each tent in the camp is set to accommodate two people. Inside the tents are comfortable beds and mattresses, raised on decks, solar lights, and lanterns to provide light, a reed mat, and plug points. Each tent has a private outdoor bathroom, bucket, or flash toilets.
Karenge Bush Camp provides accommodation on full board, meaning that all meals are catered for, a full stocked bar, and a campfire where guests can relax to enjoy beautiful moments in nature. Enjoy festive moments in the middle of Akagera National Park with lots of game viewing like elephants, zebra, giraffe, waterbucks, baboons, impala, and warthogs, and many other wildlife.
Since the entrance to Akagera National Park is only in the southern sector, and the exit is in the northern sector, it is always convenient to pair your visit to Ruzizi Tented Camp in the south with Karenge Bush Camp in the north.
From Akagera National Park, you can tailor your safari to Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla tracking or visit Nyungwe National Park for Chimpanzees and other 12 primate species, or even the vibrant Kigali city.