Akagera National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Rwanda.

Akagera National Park is now a Big Five destination, but sightings of key species are still hit-and-miss. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017. Both are thriving, but the more recent introduction of 30 white rhinos will make rhino sightings a lot easier. Take a boat trip to see lots of hippos, gigantic crocodiles and maybe elephants playing in the water.

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeCommon

HippoAbundant

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestNone

White RhinoOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

HyenaRare

Wild DogNone

Wildlife Highlights

Plains animals are plentiful, including zebra and Masai giraffe. Akagera is also home to 11 antelope species. The most common is the gracious impala, but of particular interest are the big herds of topi. Defassa waterbuck is regularly seen around the lakes, and bushbuck is a widespread resident in the woodland areas. Also look out for pairs of oribi on the Mutumba Hills.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The main Dry season from June to September is the best time for wildlife viewing in Akagera. Wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the lakes, which are a big feature of the park. Mid-December to mid-February, which is a drier spell between the short and long rains of the Wet season, is also a good time.