It is for a good reason that Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda – the largest protected wetland in Central Africa – was recognized in Tripadivsor's Travelers' Choice Awards for 2024 and 2025.

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Known for its diverse wildlife, including the Big Five, and its beautiful landscapes, the protected area covering 1,122 square kilometers (433 sq mi) along the international border with Tanzania was also, in April, nominated for the World Travel Awards, a global recognition that celebrates excellence in the tourism industry.

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Founded in 1934, the park was named after Kagera River which flows along its eastern boundary feeding into Lake Ihema and several smaller lakes. On Tuesday, June 10, 70 southern white rhinos completed a 3,400-kilometer journey from South Africa to the park, in a successful but complex translocation completed in two phases, each comprising 35 rhinos, spaced three days apart.

Whether it’s a guided boat safari on Lake Ihema, night game drives, or behind-the-scenes conservation tours, Akagera offers a dynamic mix of experiences that go beyond the standard game drive, explained Jean-Paul Karinganire, the Funding and Reporting Manager at Akagera National Park. "From luxury lodges and tented camps to affordable campsites, Akagera caters to all travel styles and budgets—without compromising on experience,” he said.

Here are eight reasons why this park should be on your bucket list:

1. A remarkable conservation comeback

Once nearly destroyed by decades of conflict and poaching, Akagera has undergone one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation transformations, explained Karinganire.

He said: "Through a public-private partnership with African Parks since 2010, the park has reintroduced lions and rhinos, restored habitats, and brought back biodiversity once thought lost.”

The park is at the forefront of using advanced technologies to strengthen its conservation efforts and safeguard its biodiversity. Remote sensing and satellite imagery allows park management to monitor vast areas, detect wildfires, and assess the health of ecosystems from above. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices improved wildlife monitoring in the park. Key tourist attractions such as rhinos, lions, and elephants are fitted with GPS – a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information to users worldwide – collars, which enables easier tracking of their movements. The technology not only helps in understanding animal behaviour but also plays a critical role in protecting the animals.

Camera traps, strategically placed throughout the park, capture the secret lives of its inhabitants. These cameras provide invaluable data on animal populations and behaviours, offering insights that were previously unattainable.

The reintroduction of lions, in 2015, was closely monitored using these devices, helping to ensure their successful adaptation to the park.

2. Real community impact

More than just a wildlife haven, Akagera is a lifeline for surrounding communities.

Up to 10% of park revenue is shared with locals, who also benefit from jobs, training, and enterprise development—making Akagera a rare model of inclusive, sustainable tourism, said Karinganire.

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Akagera has an inspiring conservation story of revival, with record low levels of illegal activities, genuinely positive community impacts and the restoration of key species previously extirpated.

Jeannette Rugero Murekatete, a Rwandan tour guide and driver who has been in the tourism industry since 2016, said: "Visitors to the park also appreciate the community support programme, where 10% of park revenues go to the community. There&039;s another 5% set aside for compensation, which is used when wildlife damages people’s property, and the park compensates them. So, in total, 15% of the park’s revenue goes to the community.

"It’s a good way to work with the people living around the park, helping them appreciate the park and the animals, while also reducing human-wildlife conflicts to further conservation efforts.”

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According to Karinganire, tourists can see and hear about the many ways in which their entry fees, activities and stays at park-owned and operated lodges contribute directly to the management of the park and benefit of communities.

"Low-impact or positive tourism is a growing trend, with visitors seeking out places and experiences which positively impact ecosystems and communities.”

3. Low-density tourism, Big Five game viewing without crowds

Low-density tourism is a key selling point, compared to some of the more popular safari parks in East Africa, where a negative reputation for excessive cars and lodges is now well-known.

Limited car numbers and people at animal sightings are attractive to visitors and must be carefully maintained.

Akagera can continue to offer meaningful connections with nature, through maintaining a "sense of place”.

"Akagera is one of the few parks in Africa where you can see the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—with a fraction of the vehicle traffic. The park averages just one vehicle per 10 kilometers, offering a quiet, intimate wildlife experience,” said Karinganire.

4. Diverse habitats, stunning scenery

From open savannah and rolling grasslands to papyrus swamps and wooded hills, Akagera showcases an extraordinary ecological variety in one compact park. This makes it possible to experience multiple landscapes—and species—in a single day. The park offers a uniquely diverse range of habitats—lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains, and woodlands—all contributing to its breathtaking scenery.

While large areas feature the classic East African acacia savannah, the park's western boundary rises into rolling hills that reach altitudes of up to 1,800 meters.

One of Akagera’s most defining features is its expansive wetland system, including papyrus swamps and a series of lakes that cover nearly a third of the park.

Karinganire said: "These wetlands are not only visually stunning but also ecologically vital. Their protection and strategic use could distinguish Akagera from other regional parks, offering a unique edge in conservation and tourism.”

6. Birding paradise

Home to over 485 recorded bird species, including rare sightings of the elusive shoebill stork and papyrus gonolek, Akagera is one of the top birding destinations in East Africa.

It’s a must-visit for both amateur and expert ornithologists.

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Among the park’s highlights is the opportunity for boat safaris on Lake Ihema—an experience that draws many visitors. Akagera is also a premier birdwatching destination, particularly thanks to its wetlands, which lie along key migratory routes.

The park is home to several Lake Victoria endemic species – native to the area and not found anywhere else in the world – such as the Red-faced Barbet, Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp Warbler, and Carruther’s Cisticola.

7. Easy access from Kigali

Located just a 2.5-hour drive from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, Akagera is one of the most accessible national parks in East Africa.

It’s ideal for quick getaways, weekend safaris, or inclusion in broader Rwandan itineraries.

Murekatete said she often gets positive feedback from the park’s visitors’ that relates to the structure of the park.

She said: "The park has diverse features, mountains, lakes, and savannahs, allowing visitors to see different animals in a relatively small area, and in good health. This is part of the positive feedback often shared by visitors.

"In other places, you might find animals in areas without water, or where only a few large animals are seen. Or it might take several days to spot them all. But in Akagera, you can go for just two days and see all the major wild animals. That’s the kind of feedback visitors often give.”

8. Safe, clean, and well-managed

Set within Rwanda—known for its cleanliness, safety, and political stability—Akagera offers peace of mind to travelers and is managed to global conservation standards, Karinganire said.