Wilderness Magashi

• Combine a Wilderness Magashi savannah safari with gorilla trekking for a superb in-country East African experience.
• As the only private wilderness area in Akagera National Park, Magashi’s 4,200 exclusive-use hectares (10,300 acres) offer premium and intimate guest experiences.
• A land of phenomenally diverse habitats, this is big game country. Guests can spot lions, leopards, black and white rhinos, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and hippos.

Place: Wilderness Magashi is picture perfect. Perched on the Magashi Peninsula, it overlooks the shimmering waters of Lake Rwanyakazinga and the Mutumba Mountains in the west. Located in Akagera National Park – central Africa’s largest protected wetland – it is Rwanda’s last remaining refuge for savannah species, and tells a story of survival and regeneration, much like Rwanda itself.

Experience: With 11 different habitat types, not only is game viewing exceptional in Akagera National Park, but its spectacular scenery adds to the unique experience. The open plains are the hunting grounds of a healthy population of lions. Elephant and hippo find solace in the swampy grounds and lakes, while elegant Masai giraffe browse in the woodlands.

And with diverse habitats comes variety. Guests enjoy thrilling game viewing by boat on elevated seating for unimpeded sightings. Game drives offer guests the opportunity to help our conservation efforts, by tracking and identifying the lions and leopards of the area through the use of identikits. At night, listen to the songs and stories of the land during a traditional Kugisha supper around a roaring fire with friends old and new.

Purpose: We made history at Magashi when we partnered with the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks. Since its opening in 2019, two of our guides became the first-ever Rwandans to receive a coveted FGASA qualification. Today, Akagera’s rebirth is an extraordinary conservation success story.

Wildlife: Wilderness Magashi is home once more to an abundance of apex predators and their prey, offering dramatic game action. There are between 15 and 20 leopards, a healthy lion population, black and white rhinos, and elephants can be seen splashing in the lake from the deck.

Watch out for waterbuck, impala and warthog grazing on the peninsula’s western side, while on the eastern side eland are often seen by the shore, as well as hippo, crocodiles and elephant bulls. Secretive sitatunga provide thrilling sightings on the water’s edge.

Other sightings may include buffalo, Masai giraffe, spotted hyena, zebra, topi, roan, Defassa waterbuk and eland – and an impressive 520 species of bird including occasional sightings of the rare shoebill stork.

Wilderness Magashi: Perched on the edge of Lake Rwanyakazinga’s sparkling waters, Magashi is spectacular. A beautiful sanctuary to breathe out in, after a thrilling gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park or a stay in the bustling capital of Kigali. Intimate and luxurious, the eight spacious tented suites decorated in soft, earthy tones, welcome you into a quintessential East African safari wonderland.

The main areas consist of a chic lounge, dining area, bar and pool – every corner boasting glorious views, while the expansive viewing deck is the perfect stage for sundowners, wildlife spotting and storytelling at the convivial fire pit.