Unmissable: diverse wetlands, savannahs teeming with wildlife, and scenic lakes. The dream. Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border, spans 433 square miles and forms part of a larger ecosystem connected to Tanzania’s Burigi-Chato National Park, supporting critical wildlife corridors. Established in 1934 and revitalized after post-1994 restoration, it is Rwanda’s only Big Five park, hosting lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. The park is home to over 90 mammal species, including giraffes, zebras, and hippos, and 480 bird species, thriving across its savannahs, woodlands, and network of lakes, with Lake Ihema as a centerpiece. Conservation efforts, led by African Parks, focus on reintroducing species like rhinos and lions while balancing tourism with local community needs. Accommodation ranges from budget camps to luxury lodges, with the grunts of hippos and calls of fish eagles as a nightly serenade. Named after the Akagera River, from the Kinyarwanda word “Kagera,” meaning “winding,” the park offers a classic safari experience with boat trips and game drives in a rejuvenated wilderness.