Where to stay in Akagera
The park runs two places to sleep in a bed or tent: a tented lodge at Lake Ihema in the south and a bush camp at Karenge on the northern plains. For camping there are four campsites, two near Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani in the south, one in the hills and one in the northern sector. Where you stay decides how much driving you do, because the park is long from south to north.
Ask the park for the current lodge rate and what it includes. Many visitors combine a night in the park with a Akagera safari and a Lake Ihema boat trip.
Akagera accommodation compared
By area, with what to know before you choose.
| Option | Area | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tented lodge | Lake Ihema, south | Close to the lake, the boat trips and the southern reception |
| Bush camp | Karenge, northern plains | Open all year; take a guide from the southern reception or arrange one in advance |
| Muyumbu campsite | South, view of Lake Ihema | Simple latrines; bring your own bedding |
| Shakani campsite | South, at Lake Shakani | Flush toilets and solar-heated showers; bring your own bedding |
| Mutumba campsite | Hills, 2 to 3 hours from the southern main gate | Simple latrines; no rental camping gear |
| Mihindi campsite | Northern sector, 3 to 4 hours from the southern main gate | Flush toilets and solar-heated showers; tent and bedding hire; fee includes breakfast |
For most first visits, the south is the simplest base: it is near the reception, the lake and the boat departures. Choose the bush camp or Mihindi if you want to see the northern plains without driving back the same day.
Our pick: a safari with a night near the park
This two-day tour includes one night in a lodge or camp near the park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Akagera tours and safaris
Guided Akagera trips and safaris from Kigali and from inside the park, with live prices and availability. Check what each trip includes before you book.
Campsites and camping fees
2026 to 2027 rates per person and night, in US dollars.
The four campsites
Muyumbu has a view of Lake Ihema. Shakani lies at the lake of the same name. Mutumba is in the hills, and Mihindi is in the northern sector. The southern sites are about 15 minutes from the southern main gate, Mutumba 2 to 3 hours and Mihindi 3 to 4 hours. These are rough times inside the park.
What camping costs
Regular camping costs $25 per adult and $15 per child per night. Rwandan citizens pay $15 and $10. At Mihindi the price includes breakfast and is $50 per adult and $30 per child, or $40 and $20 for Rwandan citizens. Entry to the park is charged on top of this.
Tents and bedding
Tents for the southern sites and Mihindi are arranged at the reception. Mutumba has no rental gear. At Muyumbu and Shakani you bring your own bedding, and Mihindi hires out tents and bedding. A tent for six people costs $30 at the southern sites, without bedding or other camping gear.
Wildlife near camp
Low barriers and electric fences do not guarantee that animals stay out. Keep food away from the tent and follow the park's briefing.
Park entry when you sleep inside
The overnight rules save money on longer stays.
Entry is charged per night inside the park, and the second and third nights cost 50 percent of the base rate each. One overnight stay also covers the two adjacent days of the visit. Visitors who sleep outside the park pay for every day of entry. Entry does not include the vehicle, a guide, accommodation or extra activities. The full table is on our park fees page, and you should check the current amount before you book.
Guests who stay overnight can book the night drive, which starts at 17:30. Read about the Akagera night drive for the price and what else the park offers after dark.
Staying outside the park
Towns on the way, not a park gate.
If you prefer to sleep outside the park, Kayonza and Rwamagana are the towns on the road from Kigali. A day visitor from there pays entry for each day. Check availability and travel time before you plan around them. Our guide to Rwamagana and Kayonza explains the area, and the getting there page covers the road.
Keep exploring Akagera
Pages that help you plan your stay.
Akagera accommodation: frequently asked questions
Where can I stay in Akagera?
In the tented lodge at Lake Ihema, in the bush camp at Karenge or at one of four campsites: Muyumbu, Shakani, Mutumba and Mihindi.
How much does camping cost?
$25 per adult and $15 per child per night in 2026 to 2027, with lower rates for Rwandan citizens. Mihindi costs $50 and $30 with breakfast. Park entry is charged separately.
Can I rent a tent?
Yes, at the southern campsites and at Mihindi, through the reception. A six-person tent costs $30 at the southern sites. Mutumba has no rental gear.
Which campsite has flush toilets?
Shakani and Mihindi have flush toilets and solar-heated showers. Muyumbu and Mutumba have simple latrines.
Is the bush camp open all year?
Yes, the Karenge bush camp is open all year. Pick up a guide at the southern reception before you drive north, or arrange one with the park in advance.
Is this the official park booking page?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Rooms, camping and current rates are booked through the park.