If you want to see wildlife in Rwanda such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and experience the African savanna, there is no other place to go other than Akagera National Park in the east of the country. And, as much as you can do a day trip from Kigali to Akagera, it is better to spend at least one night in the park so that you can fully experience the park.

Akagera National Park does not have many options for accommodation both inside and outside the park. We highly recommend staying at the lodges within the park. Why? Obviously to be closer to wildlife and enjoy the bush. Staying inside the park also gives you a chance to start your safari on time. It is also cheaper because once you stay outside you will be paying the full park entry fee every day you access park, while the person staying within the park pays entry fee per night (that implies your entry fee covers 2 days/1 night)

Here are the three lodges to stay inside Akagera National Park

Akagera Game Lodge (midrange)

This is a midrange boutique hotel run by the Mantis Collection. It is the biggest hotel in the park having up to 60 rooms, hence great for group travels. It is also the most affordable of the hotels or lodges within the park boundary.

It has the balcony rooms ideal for couples and the bigger standard rooms for families.

Akagera Game Lodge is located in the south of the park, near the park entrance. So, if you are spending one night in the park it is the place to stay.

The lodge sits atop a hill and commands sweeping views of the bush and Lake Ihema in the distance.

It has a swimming pool.

For birders, a spot near the lodge is the known most reliable place to find the Red-faced Barbet, an East African endemic and Akagera National Park’s most special bird. So this is a good place to stay for birding in Akagera National Park.

A double Balcony room costs $429, and the double Standard room costs $469. This is the peak season (June to Aug, Dec to Jan) rate and includes breakfast and dinner. Other months have a lower cost.

Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Like Akagera Game Lodge, Ruzizi is located in the south of the park.

Ruzizi Tented Lodge is an upmarket lodge, beautifully located on the shore of the Lake Ihema, so from the comfort of the lodge you can spot hippos puffing and huffing in the lake.

It is a smaller, intimate lodge with few rustic tented rooms (9). If you want the special African safari retreat, away from crowds of a big hotel, this is the place to stay.

The lodge has no swimming pool, but has a stunning deck over the lodge is a great place to relax and unwind.  

The Double standard tent costs $258 per person, and the single tent costs $367, during the peak season.

Karenge Bush Camp (Upmarket)

Karenge Bush Camp is located in the north of the park near the exit only gate. This means to get to Karenge you have to come through the south of the park which makes it deal stay at if spending two nights in the park, with the first night spent in the south, either at Akagera Game Lodge or at Ruzizi Tented Lodge

It is beautiful rustic style tented lodge quite similar Ruzizi Tented Lodge, beautiful tented rooms, overlooking the stunning Kilala plains which are the main game watching area of the park. If therefore you want a rich game experience in Akagera National Park, plan to spend a night at Karenge so that you are able to get into the Kilala plains before anyone else coming from the south of the park.

The camp has up to 7 tented rooms.

The camp has no swimming pool.

The Double standard tent costs $258 per person, and the single tent costs $367, during the peak season.

Camping

For budget travelers, Akagera National Park has several camping sites in the south of the park where you pitch your own tent in the middle of the wilderness. Ablution facilities are available

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