About Akagera Game Lodge
Akagera Game Lodge is one of the few accommodation options within Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, adjacent ...
... to the Tanzanian border. Perched on the edge of the savannah, it has fantastic views over Lake Ihema, and a big swimming pool. In 2018 The Mantis Collection took over the management of Akagera Game Lodge, and significant refurbishment and upgrades took place after Expert Africa's last visit in 2019.
Although Akagera Game Lodge has a good location from which to explore Akagera National Park, it was originally built for practicality rather than aesthetics, and did not have much character. That said, the service has always been friendly and the tropical gardens are expansive. Our hunch is that since its major refurbishments, this is a reliable and cost-effective base for visiting the park.
Our view
Although Akagera Game Lodge has a good location from which to explore Akagera National Park, it was originally built for practicality rather than aesthetics, and did not have much character. That said, the service has always been friendly and the tropical gardens are expansive. Our hunch is that since its major refurbishments, this is a reliable and cost-effective base for visiting the park.
Country manager: Rwanda
Accommodation
60 rooms
Children
Best for aged 8+
Open
All year
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Traveller reviews of Akagera Game Lodge
2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
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View galleryAkagera Game Lodge: Our full report
Akagera Game Lodge is one of the few accommodation options within Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, adjacent ...
... to the Tanzanian border. Perched on the edge of the savannah, it has fantastic views over Lake Ihema, and a big swimming pool. In 2018 The Mantis Collection took over the management of Akagera Game Lodge, and significant refurbishment and upgrades took place after Expert Africa's last visit in 2019.
Guest accommodation at Akagera Game Lodge encompasses a range of bedrooms, suites and cottages.
The 58 standard bedrooms are in one long double-storey terrace. Inside they are fairly simple, with African print cushions and throws on the beds. Each room also has a writing desk and chair, satellite TV, phone and a small balcony or patio with a couple of chairs overlooking the lake or the savannah. The en-suite bathrooms are functional as opposed to stylish, and come with complimentary toiletries. All of the rooms can interconnect, so are suitable for families.
The two suites were our favourite rooms at Akagera Game Lodge. They're the last rooms on the terrace – one on the top floor and one on the ground floor. Each has a lounge area with a sofa, solid green-marble table and dining table, TV and minibar (which is filled on request). African artefacts such as traditional drums lend some character, which is lacking in the standard rooms. The en-suite bedroom has a four-poster king-size bed with mosquito net, a dressing table, and a balcony overlooking the lake.
The large reception area at Akagera Game Lodge is dotted with African carvings and pieces of art, and incorporates a small curio shop. Up a spiral staircase you'll find the bar – with chunky wooden bar stools lining a long wooden bar, some chairs and tables, and a TV. The bar opens out onto a wooden terrace which overlooks the pool below. The large restaurant also has an outside decked area where meals can be served.
Outside, set in extensive tropical gardens, are two floodlit tennis courts that guests can use for free, a children's play area, and a small children's pool, as well as a lovely big circular swimming pool with sunloungers overlooking the lake. A small massage area completes the picture.
Activities at Akagera Game Lodge concentrate on game drives in Akagera National Park. These are usually conducted by your own driver-guide, accompanied by a wildlife guide provided by the Rwandan National Parks authority (who are generally quite knowledgeable and fairly communicative). With woodland, savannah, lakes and papyrus swamps, the park has plenty of different habitats to explore with a variety of flora and fauna. Hippo, buffalo, Burchell's zebra, impala, bushbuck, Maasai giraffe, oribi, tsessebe, elephant and crocodile are frequently seen; lion and sitatunga are at present restricted to more inaccessible areas and are rarely sighted. Birding is particularly good and a short boat trip will give you the opportunity to get close to waterbirds that include numerous African fish eagles, marabou stork, crowned cranes, open-billed storks, cormorants, herons and egrets. If you are lucky you may even get to see the elusive shoebill stork.
Geographics
- Location
- Akagera National Park, Rwanda
- Ideal length of stay
- 1–2 nights
- Directions
- Akagera Game Lodge is about three hours' drive from Kigali: the first two on a good tarmac road; the last on a dirt road.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- Although we did not eat at Akagera Game Lodge on our last visit in 2017, we have done on a previous visit, when the food was surprisingly good and tasty.
Breakfast consists of fruit, followed by eggs cooked to order.
Lunch is from an à la carte menu that includes items such as grilled chicken and chips, pizzas, burgers, samosas and salads.
Dinner, too, is usually à la carte, but the manager told us that if they get very busy they may put on a buffet. On our previous visit we enjoyed grilled tilapia (a fish found in Lake Kivu) with chips and salad. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available at an extra cost of around US$4.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are an extra cost at Akagera Game Lodge. These are typically around US$3 for a soft drink and US$5 for a beer or a glass of wine.
Complimentary bottles of water are provided in the rooms.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Akagera Game Lodge welcomes children.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions here.
- Special activities & services
- There is a children’s play area and small pool, with tennis and a larger pool suitable for older children. All the bedrooms interconnect.
- Equipment
- They have cots and high chairs.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although the hotel is well set up for children, its location within the national park means that we'd only recommend it for children over the age of 8 who are interested in wildlife.
- Notes
- We recommend that children are supervised when using the swimming pool.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a backup generator
- Communications
- Akagera Game Lodge has WiFi in the reception and bar area and internet terminals for guests who don't have their own laptops.
- TV & radio
- There are TVs in the bedrooms and in the bar.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All rooms are fully plumbed, but the water is not suitable for drinking.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- One of the staff members at the hotel is a nurse, and there is a small hospital in a village just 15 minutes’ drive away.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- Akagera Game Lodge has security guards on the gate 24 hours a day. There are no safes in the rooms, but valuables can be kept in the manager’s safe.
- Fire safety
- There are fire hoses throughout the hotel; these are checked and maintained on a regular basis.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry can be done for an extra charge. Items are machine-washed and dried.
- Money
- There are no safes in the rooms, but valuables can be kept in the manager’s safe. The hotel can exchange only small amounts of money if really necessary.
- Accepted payment on location
- Akagera Game Lodge accepts all major credit and debit cards with the exception of American Express. Cash payments may be made in Rwandan francs, US dollars, euros or British pounds.
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Akagera Game Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Akagera Game Lodge.
Excursions from Akagera Game Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Akagera Game Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Akagera Sunset Boat Safari
Half day - one hour on the water
Akagera’s Lake Ihema is a beautiful contrast to the rolling hills of the east of Rwanda, and the flatter plains to the north. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on your cruise, while watching the sunset over the lake and the national park beyond.
More about Sunset Boat SafariOther lodges in Akagera National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Magashi Camp
Magashi Camp is a very smart camp that opened in 2019 on its own private concession just north of Akagera National Park.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Ruzizi Tented Lodge opened in 2012 on the shore of Lake Ihema. It's a pretty place, with 9 ensuite tents and a dining deck.
When to go to Akagera National Park
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Akagera Game Lodge in Akagera National Park
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rwanda in January
January falls into the shorter dry season in Rwanda and conditions can be good, however expect some showers during your stay. Christmas and New Year can be a very popular time of year to travel and lodges book up early. The high demand and favourable conditions lead to high prices for the more luxurious lodges.
Travellers spending at least two nights in another of Rwanda’s national parks, in addition to the Volcanoes National Park, can take advantage of lower prices for one gorilla permit. This makes it great-value to do a longer trip to Rwanda, taking time to explore Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park. January can be fantastic for birding too, with plenty of migrant species found in the forests.
- Generally good weather although with some rainy spells.
- Popular time of year to travel, particularly around New Year.
- Advance booking advised, particularly for high-end trips.
- Good for birding with migrant species present.
- Special offers are great for exploring the other national parks.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in January
Rwanda in February
As February progresses the likelihood of more rain increases as Rwanda heads towards the heavy rains in March and April. This can still be a good time of year to visit, particularly at the start of the month, and you are a likely to experience a mix of dry days and rainy spells. Your days are likely to be warm, however as with the rest of the year nights can be cold. This is particularly true of the Volcanoes National Park which is at higher altitude.
February can be a good time of year to combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda with seeing the wildebeest migration in Tanzania as the vast herds gather in February on the southern Serengeti plains for the calving season.
- Transitional month, with the chance of rain increasing towards March.
- Warm days and cold nights, particularly in Volcanoes NP.
- High-end lodges are expensive, although demand is lower.
- Migrant birds present with great birding to be had.
- Good time of year to combine with the wildebeest migration.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in February
Rwanda in March
The heavy rains typically start in March, often continuing through to early May. This is generally not a great time to visit Rwanda and conditions are likely to be fairly wet and muddy underfoot. Many people still visit at this time, taking advantage of lower prices at the more luxurious lodges and good availability of gorilla permits. The rain clears the air and it is likely to be far less hazy at this time, making it very good for photography.
The green season can be particularly good for bird watching with many migrant species visiting Rwanda at this time. This can also be a good time of year for chimpanzee trekking, as their food is plentiful in March and troops are not likely to travel as far.
- Heavy rains make gorilla trekking conditions not ideal.
- Lower prices and good availability for gorilla permits.
- Good for bird watching with plenty of migrant species present.
- Typically shorter distances to walk for chimpanzee trekking.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Rwanda in April
April is typically one of the wettest months in Rwanda, with an average rainfall of around 150mm. It is still possible to visit during April, however be prepared for heavy rain and muddy conditions in the mountains. April is the low season for high-end lodges and prices can be significantly cheaper at this time.
Comparatively few people choose to visit during April, meaning that it is likely to be fairly quiet and relatively easy to secure gorilla permits. The 7th of April marks ‘Kwibuka’, an annual ceremony which begins three months of remembrance for the victims of the genocide. During this time the whole nation enters a period of reflection, with a number of events being held in commemoration.
- Expect heavy rains throughout the month.
- Few visitors means it is fairly easy to secure gorilla permits.
- It is the green season for luxury lodges, with much lower prices.
- Good time of year for birding.
- Kwibuka remembrance ceremony on 7th April.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Rwanda in May
May is often a transitional season in Rwanda, following on from the rains in April. Heavy bursts of rain can be expected at times, however it will often start to dry up as the month progresses. Any rainy spells are likely to last a few hours rather than all day. With the heavy rain earlier in the year it can often remain muddy underfoot when trekking the gorillas and chimpanzees and it’s advisable to wear gaiters.
Following the rains the air can be clear, without any haziness, and this leads to great photographic opportunities at this time of year. For many of the high-end lodges May is classed as the low season, which can make this month great value for money, with fairly good weather and comparatively low prices.
- Weather can be variable, mostly dry with some rainy spells.
- Be prepared for muddy conditions when trekking the gorillas.
- Good air clarity leads to great photographic opportunities.
- Can be good value for money if you’re looking at a high-end trip.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
Rwanda in June
The weather in June can be fantastic and this is one of the best times of year to visit Rwanda. This is the start of the main dry season in Rwanda and the rainfall in June typically averages only around 20mm. It is likely to be warm and dry during the day, however the odd rainy shower remains possible. Conditions for gorilla trekking can be very good, although you are still likely to experience mud underfoot in parts.
This is the peak season for the high-end lodges and prices rise significantly. Rwanda is exceptionally popular between June and September and the luxurious lodges regularly fill up well over a year in advance, so we advise planning early.
- Dry weather can lead to excellent conditions for gorilla trekking.
- High-end lodges increase their prices and trips can be costly.
- Very popular time of year, advance booking is strongly recommended.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in June
Rwanda in July
July is a great time of year to visit Rwanda, this is in the middle of the longer dry period and conditions for gorilla trekking can be excellent. Expect long dry days, although always with the off-chance of rain at some point during your stay. As with the rest of the year, temperatures are likely to average around 20-25ºC during the day, though nights can be chilly.
July is a very popular time of year to travel to Rwanda and we advise booking at least 12 months ahead, particularly if you’re looking for a high-end trip. Prices at the top end of the market can be very high in July, however many of the mid-range lodges have the same prices throughout the year, making these options great value at this time.
- Excellent conditions with dry weather for much of the month.
- Very popular time to travel with a limited number of gorilla permits.
- Advance booking is required to for the best choice of accommodation.
- High-end trips can be expensive at this time of year.
- Many mid-range lodges have the same price throughout the year.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Rwanda in August
August is one of the most popular times of year to visit Rwanda. This is the middle of the longer dry season and conditions can be very good. While it can still be muddy underfoot this is unlikely to impact your trek. Our top advice for travel in August is to plan early as many of the more popular lodges will regularly book up well over a year in advance at this time.
Many people visiting Rwanda will choose to combine this with a safari in the Serengeti and August is one of the best months for this. The wildebeest migration is in full swing, with the vast herds being up near the Mara River and river crossings likely.
- Fantastic time to visit with dry weather and great conditions.
- Very popular time to travel, we advise booking early.
- Lodges book up and gorilla permits can be hard to secure.
- Higher prices for the top-end lodges.
- Great time of year to combine with a safari in the Serengeti.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Rwanda in September
The dry season comes to an end in September, with the rains increasing towards the end of the month. For the most part you are likely to experience dry conditions, but be prepared for rainy showers and cold nights. September remains a popular time to travel, especially for those combining the gorillas with the wildebeest migration.
The Kwita Izina festival (the official naming ceremony for all baby gorillas born in the past year) takes place ever year, usually in September. It’s a time of celebration for everyone involved in their conservation. The exact date varies. Chat to us if you’d like to plan your trip around this event.
- Conditions typically good but expect some rain.
- Popular time to travel and early booking is advised.
- Great time of year to combine gorillas and the wildebeest migration.
- The Kwita Izina festival, usually in September, names baby gorillas.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
Rwanda in October
The short rains have typically started by October with the month’s rainfall averaging around 110mm. This rain normally falls in short, heavy bursts and you’re likely to have plenty of dry spells too. As with the rest of the year, days can be warm, although nights can be cold, and this is especially true around the Volcanoes National Park where lodges set log fires to keep you warm in the evening.
Lots of people choose to visit Rwanda at this time and prices remain high for the top-end lodges. Booking early is recommended, particularly if you plan to stay at one of the smaller, more exclusive lodges around the Volcanoes park.
- Good time of year to travel although with an increased amount of rain.
- Days are warm however nights can get cold.
- October is popular, particularly for the high-end lodges.
- Prices remain high at the top end of the spectrum.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in October
Rwanda in November
The rains typically continue into November and this can be one of the wetter months of the year. This can still be a good time to travel, as there are still likely to be plenty of dry periods and the gorillas can still be trekked. However, expect quite a bit of mud. The high-end lodges drop their prices in November, making it much more affordable for luxury accommodation.
Between November and April there is also a special offer from the parks authorities, providing a discount on your first gorilla permit if you spend at least two nights in one other national park. This special offer combined with lower prices for luxury lodges makes Rwanda great value for money in November.
- One of the wetter months however gorilla trekking is still possible.
- Far less busy, making it easier to secure gorilla permits.
- Reduced prices for high-end accommodation.
- Special offers to encourage travel to multiple national parks.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Rwanda in December
Rwanda has a second short dry season which typically runs from December to January. Conditions at this time can typically be fairly good, although not as ideal as June – August, and you can still expect rain at this time. Many of the forest tracks can be muddy and nights can be cold.
Many people choose to travel to Rwanda over Christmas and New Year and we advise booking early, particularly if you have preferred lodges in mind. The special offer for a your first gorilla permit at a reduced price remains in place for all travellers spending at least two nights in another park, making Rwanda excellent value for money in December.
- Short dry season, however rain is still possible.
- Conditions for gorilla trekking can be good, but expect mud.
- Cold at night, warm clothes are recommended.
- Very popular over Christmas and New Year, early booking advised.
- Special offers make December good value for money.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
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