Overview
Conservation in action
In Akagera National Park, one of East Africa’s most scenic savannah areas, you’ll discover the pioneering Magashi Camp. Surrounded by open plains, swamps, woodlands and grassy hills, the camp is set in the diverse north-eastern corner of the park.
Its six airy tents offer you outstanding views over Lake Rwanyakazinga. The camp’s main area is ideal for whiling away the lazy afternoons between safari activities whether you prefer to relax in the lounge, dining and bar area, or the large viewing deck with its fire pit, or cool off at the pool. Both the camp’s interiors and architecture have been inspired by traditional Rwandan culture.
Apart from the stunning accommodation, there’s so much more to the camp and the park in which it is located. As the region's largest protected wetland, Akagera is the last remaining safe haven for Rwanda's savannah-adapted species. Facing certain collapse in the 1990s, the park has been transformed thanks to focused conservation efforts and reintroductions. Now home to large herds of plains game, the park also has a healthy lion population. They were reintroduced in 2015 after an absence of two decades. Two years after the lions, black rhinos were also reintroduced, followed by white rhinos in 2020. The only exclusive-use area in Akagera, Magashi also boasts a fair number of leopards too.
Facts
At a glance
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Six luxury tents
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Lounge and bar
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Swimming pool
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Deck and fire pit
Experiences
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![Magashi Safari Rwanda Akagera 7]()
Game drives
The best way to explore the area around Magashi Camp is in an open 4X4 vehicle. Each one can carry a maximum of seven people, meaning that you’re guaranteed to have an outside seat.
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![Safari by boat in Akagera, Rwanda]()
Boating
Head out onto the water in an eight-seater swamp cruiser. It’s the perfect way to see the various water birds and aquatic animals that call the water and shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga home. Look out for wallowing hippos, large crocodiles and even rare sitatungas.
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![Magashi Safari Rwanda Akagera 9]()
Birding
With over 500 species, it’s no surprise Akagera is known as one of the best birding areas in the world. One of the highlights is sighting the prehistoric shoebill storks.
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![Magashi Safari Rwanda Akagera 13]()
Guided nature walks
Get an up close look at the East African wilderness and its inhabitants on an expertly-guided nature walk.
Community & Culture
As part of Wilderness Safaris, Magashi Camp has partnered with Pack for a Purpose. The non-profit organisation encourages travelers to bring needed supplies to donate to community-based projects. If you’d like to contribute you can take a look at Magashi’s projects on the Pack for a Purpose website.
Conservation
In comparison to 20 years ago, Akagera National Park is almost unrecognisable. When peace was restored after the 1994 genocide, the park came under serious threat as refugees desperate to survive began to cut down the forests for timber, hunt the wildlife for food and use the savannah lands to keep livestock. Lions and rhinos disappeared completely. The park’s restoration over the past two decades has been remarkable. Masgashi was established together with the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks to help bring sustainable ecotourism to the savannah ecosystem. Magashi’s presence is helping the park to become economically self-sufficient. Today, Akagera is 90% self-financing with tens of thousands of people visiting annually, half of whom are Rwandans coming to marvel at the transformation.
Footprint
In line with the ‘Wilderness Way’ Magashi is run with a light footprint in mind. The camp is powered by solar energy.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
