Better of the World 2026

Why go: An enormous 5 safari vacation spot with a fraction of the visitors

In the plush landscapes of Akagera National Park, lions, zebras, leopards, giraffes, elephants, and greater than 500 species of birds thrive. Established in 1934 alongside Rwanda’s japanese border, the park’s expansive savanna, rolling inexperienced woodlands, and snaking waterways are perfect for wilderness fanatics looking for a safari with out crowds. Akagera sees a mean of solely 50,000 guests a yr, making it a quieter various to standard parks equivalent to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park (350,000 guests) and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve (300,000 guests).

Thirty years in the past, Rwanda’s largest nationwide park appeared drastically completely different. In the mid-Nineties, poaching and deforestation throughout and after Rwanda’s civil struggle decimated Akagera’s landscapes and wildlife. For the previous decade and a half, African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board have been working to rehabilitate the park. The massive 5 and lots of different animal species now flourish on the plains of Akagera. After a profitable rhino translocation from South Africa in 2021, one other 70 white rhinos have been relocated to Akagera in May 2025, positioning the park as a conservation hub for threatened species.

As wildlife prospers, extra hospitality choices are arising. Recent developments within the south of Akagera—essentially the most accessible sector from Kigali—embrace the in depth renovation of Karenge Bush Camp. In the northern sector, Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, a high-end, intimate safari camp, has opened on Akagera’s distant Magashi Peninsula, contributing to the small lineup of tented suites and lodges that make the park’s thrilling wildlife encounters much more accessible. – Alicia Erickson

Want to plan a safari in Rwanda? Our vacation spot highlight for Akagera National Park has details about the sport drives, boat safaris, and sizzling air balloon rides provided within the park.