
The most convenient way to get to Akagera National Park.
Akagera National Park, located on Rwanda’s eastern border with Tanzania, encompasses around 1,120 km2 and is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, having opened to the public in 1934. Kigali International Airport is Rwanda’s principal entry point. Your journey to Kagera begins here. Kigali Airport is around 10 kilometers away. If you don’t have much time, Akagera National Park is 120 kilometers away from Kigali and can be explored in a long day trip. The only way to enter Akagera National Park is by the Kiyonza Gate in the south, near the Park Headquarters and Akagera’s premier resort. The Nyungwe Gate in the north is currently only open for exiting the park.
Akagera National Park is located in northeastern Rwanda, around 110 kilometers from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, and is ideally positioned a few hours’ drive from Kigali, making it a long day trip if you’re short on time. The Kiyonza Gate in the south, near the park headquarters and Akagera’s best lodge, is the sole way into Akagera National Park (the Nyungwe Gate to the north is currently only available to exit the park). The 4×4 safari vehicle is the most popular and often used mode of transportation to the park. Most of the time, the roads are in decent condition. There are a few rocky areas along the road that add excitement to the voyage and give you the overall feel of an African safari, but don’t let this deter you from continuing. The last 28 kilometers of the 110-kilometer journey from Kigali are largely Malam Road, as are all roads in the park. 4WD safari vehicles are especially ideal for rainy season trips.
We are ready to help you enjoy a fantastic safari in this magnificent region of a thousand hills, whether you require a safari company for your vacation or a rental car with an expert safari guide. Make all the required preparations to allow your gorilla to roam freely at Volcanoes National Park. Driving in Rwanda is on the right side of the road. Taking public transportation to Akagera can be tough.
A minibus cab will drop you off at the intersection between Kibungo and Kayonza. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find a motorcycle taxi from there. Guests are not permitted to walk in the park, except those staying in the game lodge. Guests, except those staying at the game lodge, are not permitted to stroll in the park, even with a guide, and there are no safari vehicles that take you on game drives.
How to get to Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Once you arrive in Kigali by plane or bus, you can start your Akagera safari from the city center. Leave town from Kigali towards the airport. Turn left about 100m before the airport. Then head east towards Rwamagana. Drive through Rwamagana to Kayonza. Once in Kayonza, turn right at the roundabout into the town of Kabarondo and continue to the downtown station on the left side of the road. Immediately after the gas station, there is dirt. Turn left on this road and continue for approximately 15 km until the Rwinkwavu intersection. You will see a sign that says Akagera National Park on your left.
The park gate is about 13 km from the sign. If coming from Uganda via the Katuna border, drive to Kigali City. From Kigali, leave the city and head to the airport. Turn left about 100m before the airport. Then head east towards Rwamagana.
Drive through Rwamagana to Kayonza. Once in Kayonza, turn right at the roundabout into the town of Kabarondo and continue to the downtown station on the left side of the road. Immediately after the gas station, there is dirt. Turn left on this road and continue for approximately 15 km until the Rwinkwavu intersection. You will see a sign that says Akagera National Park on your left.
The park gate is about 13 km from the sign. If you book us as your tour operator for your safari, you have nothing to worry about. Relax on a cool drive and see the beautiful scenery of the Thousand Hills moving from valley to valley. Just smile, pull out your camera, and capture the amazing sights you encounter on your way to Akagera. Contact us for directions to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park.
International visitors can enter the country by landing at Kigali International Airport. There, you will be met by the representative of the travel agency that booked your trip. Alternatively, for self-driving, you can rent a variety of cars. You can start your journey to Akagera National Park from Kigali International Airport. To get to the park, you’ll have to pass through towns like Rwamagana, Kayonza, Kavalondo, and Lwinkwanve. The distance from Kigali International Airport to Akagera National Park is about 98 km, and it takes about 2.5 hours to reach the park. For example, for neighboring countries to travel to, tourists from Uganda can enter using the border, and Tanzania can enter through the Rusumo border.
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