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Akagera National park

Overview

Akagera National Park is a classic savanna safari destination, offering a complete Big Five wildlife experience. The park protects a stunning mosaic of open plains, rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, and a chain of scenic lakes within the Akagera River system just a few hours from Kigali. With reintroduced lions and black rhinos, Akagera is a complete Big Five park.

Activities & wildlife Experience in Akagera National Park

Big Five Game Drives in Akagera National Park

Akagera is the only park in Rwanda where visitors can see the full Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino alongside giraffes, zebras, topis, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species. Game drives take place across vast savanna plains and woodland zones, offering excellent wildlife visibility throughout the year. Early morning and late afternoon drives provide the best chances for predator sightings, with lions often observed resting in open grassland and leopards occasionally spotted along wooded valley. Our guided game drives are conducted in customized 4×4 safari vehicles for maximum comfort, safety, and photography opportunities.

Akagera Boat Safaris on Lake Ihema

One of Akagera’s most unique attractions is the scenic boat safari on Lake Ihema, the park’s largest lake. This relaxed water-based safari offers close-up encounters with massive pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water-loving antelopes along the shoreline.

The lake is also a birding paradise, hosting African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, jacanas, and migratory water birds. The boat cruise provides a peaceful contrast to game drives and is one of Akagera’s most rewarding safari experiences.

Landscape, Scenery & Photography Safari

 

Akagera offers wide-open African vistas that are dramatically different from Rwanda’s mountainous forests. The park’s rolling plains, acacia-dotted horizons, shimmering lakes, and sunset-lit savannas create ideal conditions for landscape and wildlife photography. Golden-hour game drives offer cinematic skies, reflective water, and wildlife silhouettes, making Akagera one of Rwanda’s most photogenic safari destinations.

Birding Paradise of Eastern Rwanda

Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s top birding destination, with over 500 recorded bird species, making it one of East Africa’s critical birding hotspots. The park’s mix of wetlands, savannas, and woodlands supports both resident and migratory species. Birders can expect to see papyrus specialists, occasional shoebill sightings, raptors, bee-eaters, and colorful savanna birds. Whether you are a beginner or a professional birder, Akagera offers outstanding diversity and accessibility.

Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park

Akagera is a year-round safari destination, but the best wildlife viewing is during the dry seasons:

  • June to September
  • December to February

During these periods, animals concentrate around water sources, making sightings easier. The wet seasons offer lush green landscapes, excellent birding, and fewer visitors, which some travelers prefer for photography and tranquility.

How to Get to Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park is easily accessible by road from Kigali, with a transfer time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. OliveSafari provides private 4×4 safari vehicles, professional guides, and seamless door-to-park transfers.

The park can be visited as a day trip from Kigali or combined with overnight stays at luxury or mid-range lodges within or near the park.

Accommodation in Akagera National Park

Lodging in and around Akagera ranges from luxury lakeside lodges to comfortable mid-range safari camps and budget-friendly options. All accommodations are selected based on location, comfort, safety, and service quality.

Options include:

  • High-end eco-lodges overlooking the lakes
  • Tented safari camps in prime wildlife zones
  • Comfortable mid-range lodges
  • Budget lodges outside the park

 

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Director/Sales & Marketing: Tusiime Cheryl Myra

Cheryl, the eldest daughter of Olive, has embraced the responsibility of carrying forward her mother’s legacy with resilience and determination. After losing her father at the age of six, she was raised by her mother, Olive, with the support of Christer. Olive’s passing in 2017, when Cheryl was just 19, became a defining moment in her journey.

Having been involved in the foundations of Sunset Hotel Entebbe and Olive Safari Uganda from a young age, Cheryl stepped up to manage the businesses alongside Christer. Under his mentorship, she navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship and discovered her passion for tourism.

With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and hands-on leadership, Cheryl has been instrumental in maintaining loyal clientele at Sunset Hotel Entebbe, adapting it to post-COVID standards, and expanding Olive Safari Uganda. As a certified tour guide for Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar, she remains committed to upholding her mother’s vision of exceptional service and unforgettable travel experiences.

Founder & CEO: Christer Torstensson

Christer, a Swedish education consultant with over 40 years of experience guiding travelers across Africa, co-founded Olive Safari Uganda with a deep passion for the continent’s wonders. His extensive journeying, particularly through Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, enriched his understanding of Africa’s landscapes and cultures. As a consultant, he also contributed to education and development, notably establishing an automotive school in Zimbabwe. His work with the Global Journey program brought him to Uganda, where he collaborated with municipalities and fell in love with the country’s heritage.

During this time, he met Olive, whose exceptional leadership and organizational skills later turned their professional relationship into a personal one. Their shared vision led to the creation of Olive Safari Uganda in the early 2000s, followed later by Sunset Hotel Entebbe. While Christer split his time in Sweden managing the Global Journey program, Olive oversaw daily operations. Today, Olive Safari Uganda embodies Christer’s seasoned expertise as a guide and strategic insight, paired with Olive’s dedication, delivering outstanding safaris that showcase Uganda’s beauty and beyond.

Founder & CEO: Ayebale Olive

Ayebale Olive, co-founder of Olive Safari Uganda, brought over 20 years of community service experience into the world of tourism. As secretary to Entebbe’s Mayor, she honed her skills in program management and international partnerships, playing a key role in the Global Journey program that linked Uganda and Sweden.

It was through this program that she met Christer—three years after the passing of her first husband, while raising three children. United by a shared passion for travel and discovery, they founded Olive Safari Uganda in the early 2000s. Their commitment to exceptional service quickly set the company apart.

As demand grew, they expanded their vision by establishing Sunset Hotel Entebbe, creating a welcoming space for travelers exploring Uganda. Olive’s legacy lives on, shaping the company’s dedication to authentic and unforgettable safari experiences