Friends of Akagera National Park

No noise. No rush. Just stars, firelight, and the raw beauty of the wilderness.

Camping in Akagera National Park under skies so clear the Milky Way feels close enough to touch. From the warmth of a campfire to the silence of the savannah, every moment reminded you how alive the wild really is.

Get in touch at akagera@africanparks or call/WhatsApp at +250 786 182 871 for more information.



Photos: 1,4: .world | 2: .conservation.guy | 3: Baraka Valentin (mihindi host) | 5: .adventures

𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟳𝟬 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗥𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔

What began as the largest rhino translocation ever undertaken has become a remarkable conservation success. One year on, the 70 southern white rhinos are thriving in their new home in Akagera National Park, new calves have been born, and not a single rhino has been lost to poaching. Their successful adaptation reinforces Akagera’s role as a secure breeding stronghold and an important contributor to the future of rhino conservation in Africa.

This milestone reflects the power of collaboration and the vision of the Rhino Rewild Initiative, an ambitious effort to secure the future of rhinos by establishing thriving populations in well-managed protected areas across Africa.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Rwanda Development Board, African Parks, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, our dedicated field teams, conservation experts, and the many stakeholders whose support made this historic achievement possible.

Together, we are demonstrating that when vision, partnership, and protection come together, conservation at scale can deliver lasting results for wildlife and future generations.



Images: .west

🌍 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

This World Environment Day, we join the global call for Climate Action, a reminder that the health of our planet depends on the actions we take today. As climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation continue to affect communities and ecosystems worldwide, protecting nature has never been more important.

At Akagera National Park, climate action and conservation go hand in hand. Through the protection of critical habitats and wildlife, the use of solar energy for more than 30% of our daily operations, the elimination of single-use plastics across our facilities, and the adoption of electric vehicles and motorbikes, we continue to reduce our environmental footprint while safeguarding one of Africa's remarkable ecosystems.

Beyond the park, we work with neighbouring communities to plant over 50,000 indigenous trees each year, promote recycling and responsible waste management, and inspire environmental stewardship through education and engagement programmes focused on reducing pollution and embracing green energy solutions.

The recovery of Akagera demonstrates that investing in nature creates lasting benefits for wildlife, communities, and local economies. This World Environment Day, we invite everyone to be part of the solution. Whether through reducing waste, planting trees, supporting renewable energy, choosing sustainable travel, or contributing to conservation efforts, every action matters. Together, we can build a future where people, wildlife, and nature thrive side by side.

The alarm rings at 4 a.m., but no one complains. Today is park visit day.

For 2,000 children from neighbouring communities, this annual experience offers a chance to turn stories into reality. Animals they have only seen in books suddenly appear before their eyes, and lessons learned in the classroom come alive on the savannah.

Along the way, students discover how ecosystems work, why every species matters, and how people and wildlife share the landscape. The experience sparks questions, fuels curiosity, and helps build a lifelong connection with nature.

Back at school, the journey continues through environmental clubs led by trained teachers, ensuring that the excitement of the visit grows into lasting knowledge and environmental awareness.
The experience becomes even more powerful when led by community freelance guides. As local role models, they demonstrate how conservation can benefit both people and wildlife, inspiring students to imagine their own future contributions to protecting Rwanda's natural treasures.

Photos:

With only 9 tents and a maximum of 20 guests, Ruzizi Tented Lodge offers peace, privacy, and a genuine connection with nature. Entirely solar-powered and crafted to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, the lodge showcases sustainable tourism at its best while directly supporting wildlife conservation in Akagera National Park.

Whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a peaceful retreat, or an authentic wilderness experience, Ruzizi offers a front-row seat to nature where luxury meets purpose.

📧 Book your stay: [email protected]
📞 Call: +250 787 113 300

𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗮.

According to the Fifth Population and Housing Census 2022, 79% of households in nearby communities listen to the radio, making it one of the most effective ways to share information and engage with local people.

Through monthly radio broadcasts and occasional TV programs, our Community Development team uses media as a platform to discuss education, conservation, community opportunities, and other important topics. Joined at times by local leaders, these conversations help ensure accurate information reaches communities while also strengthening engagement and collaboration around Akagera National Park.

We are proud to have received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award once again — our fifth consecutive win since 2022.

This recognition is something we never take lightly. As both a conservation area and a travel destination, we continuously strive to ensure that tourism and conservation go hand in hand, creating meaningful benefits for both local communities and wildlife.

Ecotourism has played a vital role in Akagera’s remarkable growth and success, and we are deeply grateful to every visitor, tour operator, and partner whose support continues to drive this journey forward.