Month: December 2021

Akagera National Park pricing for 2024 – park fees

Visiting Rwanda for business, or are in Rwanda, and have a day or weekend off? Plan a trip to Akagera National Park home to many animals such as buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, etc…

Akagera National Park is just 2 hours drive from Kigali and can be visited in one day and you are back to Kigali before nightfall, that is, if you just want to see animals on the drive trail. However, the park offers many activities and spending one night or more enables you do more activities and get a better bush experience… And the good news is, the second night is half price for entry and no entry fees after 3 nights for up to a week!

Below are the Akagera national park entry and activity fees for year 2024.

IMPORTANT: The rates are set by African Parks that manages the park

Akagera Park tourist entry fees (per person)

Entry fee / self-drive permit 1 Day/Night 2 Nights 3 Nights
USD RWF USD RWF USD RWF
Rwandan/EAC Citizen ~16 15,000 ~24 22,500 ~32 30,000
Rwandan/EAC Resident 50 75 100
International Visitor 100 150 200
Rwandan/EAC Citizen children 6-12 ~11 10,000 ~16 15,000 ~21 20,000
Rwanda/EAC Resident children 6 – 2 30 45 60
International Visitor children 6 – 12 50 75 100

Children 5 or below do not pay entry fees

Entry fees are not charged beyond 3 nights for up to one week

Visitors who stay outside the park are considered day visitors and have to pay each time they enter the park. Plan your Akagera safari with staying inside at Akagera Game Lodge and Ruzizi Tented Lodge (in the south), Karenge Bush Camp and Magashi Camp (in the north). Camping grounds & facilities are also available in the park.

Vehicle entry fees in Akagera National Park

Details USD
Vehicle / Minibus (Rwandan/EAC registered) 10
Omnibus / bus / overlander (Rwa/EAC reg.) 20
Vehicle / Minibus (Foreign registered) 40
Omnibus / bus / overlander (Foreign reg.) 100

Hiring a park guide for game drive in the park (if you want one, not mandatory)

Duration USD
Per guide / ½ day 25
Per guide / full day 40

Guides picked up from the reception before 9am and returned to the same reception within 5 hours will be considered as ½ day activity. Guides picked up from reception after 9am will be charged for a full day, unless the guide is returned before 12 midday. Guides picked up after midday will be charged ½ day.

Guides picked up at the reception and travelling with guests through the park, exiting from the north, will be charged for a full day, regardless of the time taken. If you wish to exit from the north with a guide, please drop the guide off at Kayonza, they will then catch public transport back to the park (transport fees will be covered by the park for park guides). If you cannot drop the guide at Kayonza, please cover their transport fee from the north gate to Kayonza, this does not exceed 5,000 RWF. If a guide is requested to accompany a visitor to Karenge Bush Camp overnight, an additional fee of 20,000 RWF is applied for the guides accommodation and food at Karenge.

Activities in Akagera Park and pricing

Activity Adult (13+ years) Children (6 – 12 years)
USD USD
Night drive (operated by AMC) pp/2.5hrs / vehicle, driver, guide/min. 2/max. 7 40 25
Fishing Pp per day (own equipment) 25 15
Boat trip – scheduled morning/day Price pp / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 35 20
Boat trip – scheduled sunset trip Price pp / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 45 30
Boat trip – private, non-scheduled Per boat / 1 hrs / max. 11 pax 180 –
Camping Price pp / night 25 15
Behind the scenes tour Price pp / min 4 pax / 1.5 hrs 25 15
Group rate for 8+ pax / 1.5 hrs 180 –
Game drive day (AMC operated) ½ day max. 5hrs/vehicle, driver, guide/max. 7 180 –
Full day / vehicle, driver, guide / max. 7 pax 280 –
Walk the Line 7km walk along the fence / min. 3 approx. 2 hrs 30 20
Community Cultural Experiences Various activities offered / half day / min. 3 pax 30 20
Rhino tracking Min. 2 pax & max 4pax / Only guests at Karenge Bush Camp 75
Balloon safari Min. 2 pax & max 4pax / Only guests at Karenge Bush Camp $450 (int.)
$350 (resident)
$250 (citizen)

Night drives are operated by the park (Akagera Management Company) and they provide a car, driver and spotlights. The Night drives begin at 5.30pm and end around 8 – 8.30pm. You are picked and dropped at your lodge, and only in the south of the park.

Boat trips are scheduled at the following times:

  • 7:30 – 8:30am
  • 9:00 – 10:00am
  • 3:00 – 4:00pm
  • 4:30 – 6:00pm (sunset trip)

Private boat trips can be organized and are charged at a flat rate for the boat, not per person. These should be booked at non-scheduled times starting between 10.30am – 1.30pm.

Rhino tracking is done in the north of Akagera national park (Kilala plains) and is therefore available to only guests staying at the Karenge Bush Camp that is located in the north overlooking the Kilala plains.

Other Akagera park fees

Item   USD
Tent hire Per 6-man (3m x 3m) canvas tent (south sites) 20
Recovery fee Breakdown or assistance from the park 70
Recovery fee coasters Breakdown or assistance from the park 150
Fines For breaking any park rules & regulations 150
Landing fee Per landing within Akagera 50
Research fee Contact the management prior to any research 200
Ranger assistance fee For researchers / per day / conditions apply* 25
Commercial filming / photography Per day. Contact the park for all filming 300

Annual pass

USD RWF
Rwandan/EAC Citizen Single pass 95,000
Rwandan/EAC Citizens Couples pass 150,000
Rwandan/EAC Citizens Family pass 205,000
Rwandan/EAC Resident Single pass 300
Rwandan/EAC Residents Couples pass 500
Rwandan/EAC Residents Family pass 700

Annual fees do NOT include park fees and only a 10% discount is offered on activities. But you have unlimited tourist entry for a period of one year.

Book a tour to Akagera National Park

Have just day a day? Look for our 1 day trip to Akagera with prices on this list of 1 day trips from Kigali that we organize.

Otherwise if you want to spend at least a night you can book one of these trips:

2 day safari trip to Akagera National Park

3 day Akagera national park tour

Top 5 things a tourist should not do in Uganda

Uganda is one of the most liberal countries with some of the friendliest people in Africa and the world. There is not so much to worry about that you may do and cause you trouble with the locals. The Ugandan people are very kind and accommodative of foreigners, that even when a foreigner is in the wrong, he or she shall be handled with kindness most of the times. They understand the foreigner is not aware of much of the traditions and norms of the community.

Planning for your gorilla trip in Uganda or a long safari vacation in Uganda? Below are some of the things to avoid doing when visiting Uganda to avoid raising eyebrows and keep you from trouble:

Taking pictures of locals without their consent

Children are excited to have their pictures taken and will even invite you to take them. It is however different with adults. Most people do not want their pictures taken by a stranger. If you see an individual with a colorful dress or engaged in an activity you find interesting and want to take a picture, please approach them and ask for their permission.

However if the face is not very visible from your angle you can “steal” a shot without their knowledge.

Taking pictures of security personnel and installations

This is perhaps a standard everywhere, taking pictures of the country’s security personnel and security installations is prohibited. Once caught the repercussions can be dire. Large bridges over water are normally protected by military which may not be in view, so before taking a picture of a bridge establish if there is security, or simply avoid taking pictures of bridges (especially over the River Nile). You will cross security-manned bridges over the Nile in the east (say if you are on the day trip to Jinja or visiting Sipi Falls) and also towards the north (especially on the safari tour to Murchison Falls National Park).

Wearing skimpy especially in rural areas

A large part of the country is still very traditional that revealing of skin (especially for women) is considered immoral. A lady tourist putting on small shorts will draw excitement (close to sexual harassment) from the young men and scorn from the adults.

However, on the contrary, in parts of north eastern Uganda among the Karimojong people, nudity is in fact part of tradition that you will be surprised to find adult people who simply cover their reproductive organs and leave the rest of the body uncovered. Other young men can move completely naked! You will meet this interesting group of people with this unique culture if you planned a safari trip to Kidepo Valley National Park.

Public show of affection e.g. kissing

Public show of affection such as kissing is considered immoral for the traditional and religious Ugandan society. The traditional way of showing affection publicly is by hugging and handshake. If you want to kiss on the lips it is best to find somewhere private such as in a hotel or where there won’t be any onlookers.

Taking a random boda-boda motorcycle taxi

Jumping on a motorcycle taxi (locally called boda-boda) looks enticing when you want to get somewhere quick in the chaotic Kampala City, but you are one second away from getting crippled or even death. The motorcycle taxis are famous for being the most reckless mode of transport and are one of the biggest threats to safety in the cities. This and more are covered in our blog where we discuss the top safety concerns for tourists in Uganda and how to tourists can keep safe. Please check it out for more.

Nyungwe Forest National Park to be a World Heritage site

Nyungwe Forest National Park is to be declared a UNESCO world heritage site, a special status that elevates this crucial forest park to a place of global conservation importance. Nyungwe an ancient forest that has existed since the ice age protects an incredible biodiversity that accumulated over thousands of years past. It is one of the last few forests in Africa of this kind. It is the largest protected mountain rainforest in Africa covering 1000 square kilometers and reaching elevations between 1600 – 2000m.

Nyungwe is popular for primates especially the chimpanzees and monkeys, plus there are many other hard to see mammals and thousands of little-known creatures that dwell under the soil and crawl the surfaces. Till today new plant and animal species continue to be discovered in Nyungwe. Many species discovered in Nyungwe are found to be unique to the place, and others are regional endemics of the Albertine rift eco region in which the mountain forest is located, and this including a whooping 27 Albertine rift endemic birds.

Nyungwe is also a very important water catchment for the region and continent contributing water to two notable rivers, the River Nile (has the farthest known source of the Nile) and Congo River. It also provides 70% of the fresh water in Rwanda.

Why is it important to have Nyungwe National Park on the list of world heritage sites?

Given the alarming rate at which ecosystems are being depleted on the planet earth thereby causing the extinction of species including those yet to be discovered, special places like Nyungwe where biodiversity thrives cannot be taken as any other forest cover but deserves special status that enhances protection and research. The park was nominated by UNESCO for addition to the world heritage list, to which the government of Rwanda agreed and will soon be confirmed and added. The park will attract more funding for conservation as a world heritage site.

Visit Nyungwe Forest National Park and contribute to its conservation

Tourism revenue goes a long way in supporting conservation efforts of destinations and supporting the local communities. Nyungwe National Park offers a range of activities for tours that you can include on your trip in Rwanda. The most popular activity is the chimpanzee trekking adventure that gives tourists a chance to see chimps in their habitat. The canopy walk activity is another must do adventure for a thrilling experience of this mountain rainforest. The canopy walkway hangs high up in the forest canopy giving tourists an eye level view of wildlife in the canopy and incredible views of the forest.

For birders planning birding trips to Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is a birding heaven, arguably the best destination for Albertine rift endemic birds such as the Rwenzori Turaco that is on top of wish lists of many birders visiting Rwanda. For the nature lovers that want to see plants and wildlife up close, the park has several trails for you to hike and explore this pristine jungle and watch monkeys, birds, trees, orchids, waterfalls, butterflies, etc…

Is Rwanda the cleanest country in Africa?

When you first arrive in Rwanda through Kigali airport, driving from the airport down into Kigali City the first thing to strike you is the impeccable cleanliness and orderliness you are ushered into. I must say no first-time visitor is ever ready for his/her first impression of Rwanda, and Kigali more specifically. Driving the very tidy and clean roads (that are well-lit at night), passing by nicely cut lawns, going through neat streets of modern high-rising buildings.…well you almost feel you are in a first world country.

Visitors are always blown away by what they find in Rwanda especially when they compare with what they have witnessed in other African countries. And the question is always, but how has Rwanda managed to achieve this?

But how has Rwanda managed to be the cleanest country in Africa?

Umuganda – a community consensus turns culture

To get everyone involved in cleaning their communities, the government introduced Umuganda Day which is the day everyone gets out; with rakes, brooms, spades, and hoes, etc… in hand, to clean their neighborhoods. Everyone in the country participates including the president. Umuganda Day is on the last Saturday of the month, starting from morning to midday. So for everyone, before proceeding with their business for the day, have to get involved in the cleaning. This initiative has become a part of Rwanda’s culture and built a sense of responsibility among the local people who want to live in a clean environment.

Focused and accountable leadership

Everything starts with leadership and the biggest crisis in Africa has largely been the leadership crisis! The uncompromisingly focused leadership of Rwanda in President Paul Kagame and his government have set out to change the narrative of Rwanda and Rwandans which is this narrative about African countries being incapable of building modern clean, orderly and safe societies devoid of chaos and dirt which characterize many African cities and countries.

One can say, Rwanda is a utopia in Africa

Strict laws

Rwanda is a country of laws! Everyone follows the law. Laws such as against public nuisance, and littering are strictly upheld by the local people and over time has changed the mindset of the local people who frown upon disorder.

Challenging past a motivational factor

Rwanda’s unpleasant past has been an extra motivation for the people of Rwanda to change the image of a country that two decades could be compared to hell, as the population turn on each other during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The Rwandan people have had to sacrifice to build a country that gives them dignity and commands respect from outsiders. When you visit Rwanda, the image of the Rwandan you had will change forever!

Tour Kigali City and know the story of Rwanda

Are you visiting Rwanda for the ultimate gorilla trekking in the virunga mountains and chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe forest or even planning a wildlife viewing safari tour to Akagera National Park, take a day to explore Kigali City and learn about the story of Rwanda and her journey to where it currently is

New omicron covid guidelines for traveling to Rwanda, NO hotel quarantine for tourists

Just when life seemed to be getting back to near normal in Rwanda and the world, Omicron has come along. Travelling to Rwanda was becoming easier with a number of restrictions being lifted, such as the mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival (for vaccinated travelers) which every traveler dreaded! But the emergency of the Omicron variant has washed away these gains.

The government has been left with no choice but to reinstate some of the strict guidelines to try and slow down the Omicron variant which is said to be 10 times more effective at spreading than the dreaded Delta variant.

Mandatory 3 days hotel quarantine on arrival in Rwanda, but NOT FOR TOURISTS

The most significant guideline for travelers flying into Rwanda is that travelers will be required to quarantine in designated hotels for 3 days to monitor them for Omicron. This will be at the traveler’s cost. There is a list of approved hotels of different budgets for travelers to choose from. The hotels prices were subsidized by the government and are therefore relatively affordable across the different categories.

When a traveler tests negative at the end of the 3 days he or she would be released. Otherwise, she or he will be taken to a medical facility where she or will be treated, at own cost, till she or he turns negative.

Tourists visiting the national parks will NOT hotel quarantine for 3 days

Tourists who are visiting the four national parks of Rwanda, namely Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Gishwati – Mukura National Park, and Akagera National Park are exempted from the mandatory 3 day hotel quarantine. However, the tourists shall be required to take a PCR test on day 3 and 7 of their stay in Rwanda, and in addition do daily rapid tests throughout their trip in Rwanda. Costs of all the above tests fall on the tourist.

This implies, for instance, if you planned to fly into Rwanda for the popular 2 day gorilla trekking trip to the Volcanoes National Park your plans are not hindered at all by the new guidelines. If, however you will be coming for a longer birding safari in Rwanda then take not of the required tests along the trip.

Other guidelines to note for travelers

All travelers visiting Rwanda are required to have a negative PCR test results of a test taken 72 hours to the time of arrival in Rwanda.

All travelers will undergo a PCR test on arrival. Samples will be taken at the airport before the traveler is taken for the 3 day hotel quarantine.

All travelers departing Rwanda must take a PCR test 72 hours before the time of their flight and will present the negative result at departure.

Tourism destinations remain open

All tourism destinations remain open for tours, so you can still continue to plan for your tours in Rwanda which include among others: gorilla trekking in the volcanoes, chimpanzee tracking the Nyungwe forest, Big five safari trips to Akagera National Park or even hiking the Mt. Bisoke volcano in the Virungas for hiking enthusiasts!

However note there are particular Standard Operating Procedures for visiting each of these tourism destinations.