How to Get to Akagera National Park: Kigali Road Transfers, Gates and Routes

Akagera sits on Rwanda's eastern border with Tanzania, far from the volcano forests in the north-west. There are no scheduled flights to the park, so almost every visitor arrives by road, which makes planning simple.

The main decisions are which gate to use, whether to treat Akagera as a day trip or an overnight stay, and how to link it with other parts of Rwanda.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

The Road From Kigali

The journey heads east out of the capital on good surfaced roads and passes through rolling farmland, eucalyptus plantations and small trading centres before the final approach to the park. A comfortable safari vehicle with a driver-guide is the usual choice, and the scenery gives a gentle introduction to eastern Rwanda. Leave early to reach the gate for a morning game drive, particularly if you are only visiting for the day. Our Kigali to Akagera route guide covers the stages in detail.

Southern and Northern Gates

Akagera has gates at opposite ends, and most first-time visitors enter in the south, which is the quickest from Kigali and close to Lake Ihema. The north is wilder and quieter, and some camps there are better reached with a longer transfer. Your lodge or operator will tell you which gate to use, and it is worth asking how long game drives take from your accommodation to the lakes and open plains.

Day Trip or Overnight

It is possible to visit on a long day trip from the capital, but you will spend much of the day travelling and miss the best light at dawn and dusk. One night allows an afternoon drive and a morning drive, while two nights adds a boat trip and perhaps a night drive. See Akagera activities for ideas on filling your time.

Combining Akagera With Gorilla Trekking

Many visitors finish a gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park with a savannah stay in Akagera, travelling back through Kigali. This gives a contrast between misty forest and open plains. See Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda safari itineraries and Rwanda gorilla trekking.

Timing Your Journey

Plan arrival so that you have daylight to reach your lodge and, ideally, time for an afternoon drive. Leaving Kigali after the early rush avoids the heaviest traffic, but an earlier departure still makes the day more relaxed. On the return, allow enough time before any flight or onward appointment, because a late afternoon game drive can easily run longer than expected. Your driver-guide can adapt the pace, and many visitors find that a calm approach to the day suits Akagera better than a tight schedule.

Onward Travel and Practicalities

Akagera is close to the Tanzanian border, but crossing there is a specialist arrangement and most travellers return to Kigali. Carry your passport and any permits, keep water and sun protection in the vehicle and confirm park entry arrangements with your operator. Read Rwanda visa, money and practical information and the Akagera National Park guide before you go.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team