Akagera And Nyungwe: Rwandas Wild Wonders

Rwanda: Beyond the Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are Rwanda’s headline act, drawing travellers from across the world to the misty slopes of Volcanoes National Park. Yet for those willing to look beyond, Rwanda holds two more treasures: Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. Together, they reveal a country that is as diverse as it is beautiful, savannah and rainforest, lions and chimpanzees, lakes and canopy trails.

For guests staying at Hemingways Retreat Kigali, these parks expand the journey far beyond gorillas, turning Rwanda into a complete wildlife destination in its own right.

Akagera National Park: Savannah at Rwanda’s Edge

In the east of Rwanda lies Akagera National Park, a landscape of rolling grasslands, acacia woodlands, and glittering lakes. Covering 1,122 square kilometres, it is Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five.

Akagera National Park's Wildlife Highlights

• Lions and Leopards: Reintroduced lions now thrive here, and leopards prowl the wooded valleys.
  
• Elephants and Buffalo: Large herds move between grassland and wetland, offering dramatic sightings.
  
• Hippos and Crocodiles: Akagera’s lakes host some of Africa’s densest populations of hippos, alongside massive Nile crocodiles.
  
• Birdlife: With over 480 species recorded, including shoebill storks, Akagera is a paradise for birdwatchers.
  

Conservation Success in Akagera National Park

Akagera is one of Africa’s best conservation comeback stories. Once threatened by encroachment and poaching, it has been restored through a partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Today, wildlife numbers are rising, anti-poaching patrols are effective, and tourism directly supports the park’s future.

Guest Experience from Hemingways Retreat Kigali

From Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Akagera is a 2.5-hour drive, perfect for an overnight or two-night safari extension. Game drives reveal the park’s wildlife, while boat trips on Lake Ihema offer close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. For many guests, Akagera feels like a step into classic East Africa, yet with Rwanda’s trademark warmth and efficiency.

Nyungwe Forest: Ancient Rainforest Alive with Primates

In Rwanda’s southwest, Nyungwe Forest National Park tells a very different story. This 1,019 square kilometre rainforest is one of the oldest and most biodiverse in Africa, sheltering a vast array of primates, birds, and plants.

Nyungwe Forest's Wildlife Highlights

• Chimpanzees: The main draw, chimpanzee trekking takes guests deep into the forest to watch troops forage, play, and communicate. The experience is thrilling, fast-paced, and unforgettable.
  
• Colobus Monkeys: Nyungwe hosts one of the largest troops of colobus monkeys in Africa, sometimes numbering over 400 individuals.
  
• Other Primates: L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, and several other species make Nyungwe a primate hotspot.
  
• Birdlife: With more than 300 recorded species, including 29 Albertine Rift endemics like the Rwenzori turaco, the forest is a birder’s dream.
  

Unique Experiences at Nyungwe Forest

• Canopy Walk: A suspended walkway 70 metres above the forest floor offers a bird’s-eye view of the canopy.
  
• Hiking Trails: Over 130 kilometres of trails wind through waterfalls, ridges, and hidden valleys.
  
• Botanical Richness: Nyungwe is home to countless medicinal plants, orchids, and butterflies, making every walk a sensory experience.
  

Guest Experience from Hemingways Retreat Kigali

From Hemingways Retreat Kigali, Nyungwe is about a 5-hour drive, often combined with Lake Kivu for a multi-day circuit. While more remote, the journey is part of the experience, offering views of Rwanda’s famed hills and rural landscapes. Guests return with memories not just of chimpanzees but of stepping into a rainforest that feels truly primeval.

Why Combine Akagera and Nyungwe with Gorillas?

For many travellers, gorillas alone are reason enough to visit Rwanda. Yet combining gorilla trekking with Akagera and Nyungwe reveals the country’s full ecological spectrum.

• Three habitats, one destination: Savannah, rainforest, and volcanic mountains within a country smaller than Switzerland.
  
• Big Five and Beyond: From lions to chimpanzees, elephants to gorillas, Rwanda offers a compact version of Africa’s wildlife highlights.
  
• Balanced Itineraries: A stay at Hemingways Retreat Kigali allows guests to easily combine these experiences, gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, lions in Akagera, and chimpanzees in Nyungwe.
  

The result is a journey that feels both complete and deeply rewarding, offering contrasts that few other destinations can match.

Hemingways Retreat Kigali: The Ideal Rwandan Gateway

As Rwanda’s capital evolves into a hub for both culture and travel, Hemingways Retreat Kigali provides the perfect base. Located just 20 minutes from the airport, it allows guests to arrive, rest, and prepare before setting out to Rwanda’s national parks.

• Comfort and Calm: Serene gardens, a heated saltwater pool, and refined rooms designed with Rwandan artistry.
  
• Culinary Focus: The acclaimed Fusion Restaurant highlights Rwanda’s farm-to-table produce with global flair.
  
• Sustainability: Retreat Kigali supports local cooperatives, vocational programmes, and environmental initiatives, reflecting the ethos of Rwanda’s conservation model.
  
• Seamless Journeys: Staff can arrange permits, transfers, and guides, making multi-park itineraries effortless.
  

From this sanctuary, guests can shape their journey across Rwanda’s landscapes, knowing they return each evening to a place that feels both restorative and inspiring.

Discover Rwanda in Its Full Spectrum

Rwanda is often described through the lens of gorillas, but to stop there is to miss its wider story. Akagera’s open plains and Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest prove that the country is one of Africa’s most complete wildlife destinations.

With Hemingways Retreat Kigali as your gateway, the journey becomes seamless, balanced, and deeply personal. Whether it is lions at dawn, chimpanzees in the canopy, or gorillas in the mist, Rwanda invites you to discover a spectrum of wildlife encounters as diverse as the country itself.