Akagera National Park and Tours

Akagera National Park is located in the northeast of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania, as it is home to many large plains game species as well as species restricted to the papyrus swamps such as the Sitatunga and the much sought-after Shoebill Stork and its campsites with electric fences are a unicum in central Africa.
Notable plains game include elephant, buffalo, topi, zebra, waterbuck, roan antelope and eland. Other antelope are duiker, oribi, bohor reedbuck, klipspringer, bushbuck and impala. Of the primates, olive baboons, vervets and the secretive blue monkey are seen during the day, with bushbabies often seen on night drives.
Of the larger predators only leopard, hyena and side-striped jackal are currently still present, Lions were introduced in 2015 and had their first offspring in 2016 while black rhinos returned in 2017 restoring the park’s “Big Five” status.
Although founded in 1934, much of the park was reallocated as farms and in 1997 the park was reduced in size from a mere 2,500 sq km (nearly 10 % of Rwanda) to its current extent of 1,122 sq km Since 2010, a joint venture with African Parks has seen Akagera return to its former glories
It is named after the Akagera River that flows along its eastern boundary and feeds into a labyrinth of lakes of which the largest is Lake Ihema. The forest-fringed lakes, papyrus swamps, savannah plains and rolling highlands combine to make Akagera among the most scenic reserves anywhere in Africa.
It has exceptional levels of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa. Due to its wide variety of habitats. Akagera is an important ornithological site with nearly 500 bird species. The rare and elusive shoebill shares the papyrus with other rarities such as the exquisite papyrus gonolek and countless other water birds that inhabit the wetlands in large numbers.
Karenge Bush Camp
Karenge means ‘small footprint’ in Kinyarwanda, and it’s the name of the area where the camp was first established. The word also represents Karenge Bush Camp’s commitment to leaving nothing more than a light ecological footprint. Karenge contains six charming canvas tents and accommodates a maximum of 12 guests, making it an intimate wilderness experience. Every tent contains two cosy camp beds with mattresses and bedding, camp chairs, reed mat floors, and solar lights for reading before bed, the sounds of nature all around you. The camp’s six tents enjoy their own private, outdoor bathrooms with bucket showers, toilets, and canvas basins. Warm water is provided daily.

Ruzizi Tented Lodge
In the riverine forest on the edge of Lake Ihema is a small, private, lodge offering nine spacious, en-suite tents, dotted along the forested lake’s edge. Sheltered by large trees and swaying palms, the lodge is a quiet retreat in the spectacular setting of Akagera National Park.

The tents are located along a boardwalk stretching either side of a thatched lounge and dining area. A raised deck overlooks the lake; enjoy a sun-downer around a cosy campfire.
Inside each tent are comfortable queen or large twin beds and a private bathroom. For a touch of luxury, try the Tree Top Tent. The lodge is entirely powered by solar