Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park in Rwanda has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last two decades. Once on the brink of irreversible degradation, the park is now a thriving habitat for wildlife and a source of income for local communities. After partnering with the Rwanda Development Board in 2010, African Parks took over the management of the park and began the process of rehabilitating it.

The primary objective was to turn Akagera into a prosperous and sustainable park that benefits both people and wildlife. To achieve this goal, the park implemented effective conservation law enforcement measures and engaged with the surrounding communities. In just five years, poaching was almost eradicated, and between 2015 and 2018, lions and black rhinos were reintroduced into the park. In 2021, white rhinos were also introduced to help protect the species.

Thanks to these efforts, Akagera’s wildlife population has grown significantly, from less than 5,000 in 2010 to nearly 12,000 animals today. In addition to serving as a sanctuary for animals, the park has also helped generate income for local communities. Revenue-sharing schemes and income-generating enterprises have resulted in nearly US$1 million flowing from the park into the surrounding communities in 2022.

Some of the park’s most notable achievements include the successful translocation of 30 southern white rhinos from South Africa in 2021. Since their arrival, several new calves have been born, indicating that they have adapted well to their new environment. The Gishanda Fish Farm, which opened in October 2022, is another innovative project that sustainably farms tilapia to benefit communities and the ecosystem. Thanks to effective community engagement and conservation law enforcement programs, not a single high-value species has been lost to poaching since 2010.

Finally, the park has also been successful in its environmental education program, with almost 2,000 schoolchildren and 350 local leaders visiting the park each year. Tourism to Akagera has also been on the rise, with 34,000 paying visitors in 2022, covering 92% of the park’s operating costs. Since 2010, Rwandan citizens have made up 46% of paying guests to the park, highlighting its value as a national attraction and asset.