Akagera National Park

🇷🇼 Rwanda

🐟 African Fish Eagle Soaring Akagera
🌍 #32 Global · 4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #24 in Africa #24 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Rwanda 1048 spp. recorded

Akagera National Park sits in eastern Rwanda, where the tropical savanna meets a chain of lakes and gentle hills. Open grasslands, scattered acacia, and the shimmering shoreline of Lake Ihema give the park a blend of dry plains and wetland edge that sets it apart from Rwanda’s mountain reserves.

-1.670° S   30.736° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely
African Fish-Eagle ★
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

80–90% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

80–90% · Very likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

70–80% · Very likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

70–80% · Very likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

70–80% · Very likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

70–80% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

60–70% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

80–90% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

80–90% · Very likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

70–80% · Very likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

70–80% · Very likely
Topi

Topi

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus korrigum

70–80% · Very likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

70–80% · Very likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

60–70% · Likely
White Rhinoceros

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

40–50% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Fish-Eagle ★
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

60–70% · Likely
Red-necked Francolin
LC

Red-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis afer

60–70% · Likely
Bare-Faced Go-Away-Bird
LC

Bare-Faced Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides personatus

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu
LC

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus bengalus

60–70% · Likely
African Wattled Lapwing
LC

African Wattled Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus senegallus

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

50–60% · Likely
Greater Blue-eared Starling
LC

Greater Blue-eared Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis chalybaeus

50–60% · Likely
Grey-backed Fiscal
LC

Grey-backed Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius excubitoroides

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

40–50% · Likely
Speke's Hinge-back Tortoise

Speke's Hinge-back Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinixys spekii

20–30% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

Insufficient data
Tree skink
LC

Tree skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis planifrons

Insufficient data
Black-necked Spitting Cobra
LC

Black-necked Spitting Cobra

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Naja nigricollis

Insufficient data
Variable Skink
LC

Variable Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis varia

Insufficient data
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Insufficient data
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

Insufficient data
Black Mamba
LC

Black Mamba

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendroaspis polylepis

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

20–30% · Possible
Natal Puddle Frog
LC

Natal Puddle Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus natalensis

Insufficient data
Bocage's Tree Frog
LC

Bocage's Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Leptopelis bocagii

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Lion Tracking & Predator Spotting

JanFebAprAug

Akagera is one of the few parks in Rwanda where lions can be reliably observed, offering thrilling predator-prey dynamics. Guided game drives maximize sightings during cooler hours.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Big Five Safari

Jul

July is the optimal month for Big Five sightings, with high visibility due to sparse vegetation and animals congregating around waterholes. Elephants, lions, and rhinos are most active.

White Rhinoceros

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
🐦

Birdwatching Bonanza

AprJulOctDec

Akagera’s wetlands and savannas host over 500 bird species, including rare raptors and waterbirds. Dawn chorus and boat safaris enhance sightings.

African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

70–80% · Very likely
Pied Kingfisher
LC

Pied Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ceryle rudis

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Lion
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
African Bush Elephant
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
40–50
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
East African Giraffe
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
40–50
80–90
50–60
50–60
African Fish-Eagle
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Plains Zebra
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
80–90
40–50
80–90
70–80
80–90
Impala
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
70–80
40–50
80–90
70–80
70–80
Olive Baboon
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Common Hippopotamus
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Topi
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Waterbuck
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
Cape Turtle Dove
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
African Buffalo
50–60
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Common Warthog
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
70–80
60–70
60–70
Vervet Monkey
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Common Bulbul
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Lion Tracking & Predator Spotting
🦌 Big Five Safari
🐦 Birdwatching Bonanza

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐟 African Fish Eagle Soaring Akagera

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
704
🐒 Mammals
198
🦎 Reptiles
115
🐸 Amphibians
31
1048 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
32 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
75%
📊
Coverage (265 species at ≥5% of 1048 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
25%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 mammal, 3 bird)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
210
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
33
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
60

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Akagera National Park?

The most likely sightings are Plains Zebra (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Impala (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Olive Baboon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Rüppell's Glossy-starling (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), East African Giraffe (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1048 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Akagera National Park for wildlife?

July has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lion in Akagera National Park?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Akagera National Park, based on 29 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Akagera National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Akagera National Park, based on 56 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see East African Giraffe in Akagera National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Akagera National Park, based on 57 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Fish-Eagle in Akagera National Park?

Yes — about 73% of wildlife watchers report a African Fish-Eagle sighting in Akagera National Park, based on 358 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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