Be the 1st to catch a glimpse of lions in Akagera National Park

Located at the far eastern part of Rwanda, Akagera National Park covers about 1,120km² and is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, first gazetted in 1934.

Once home to almost 300 lions, Akagera National park faced extinction of these species 15 years ago when numbers were poisoned by cattle herders in the years following the 1994 genocide when the park was unmanaged.  

A lioness in Akagera National Park.  Credit: Jes Gruner

The group of lions that has been re-located to Akagera includes five females that have been donated by &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and two males that have been donated by Tembe Elephant Reserve, an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife protected area. Located in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, both are relatively small, confined reserves where it is necessary to occasionally move surplus lions to avoid overpopulation.

The re-introduction of lions to Rwanda is a ground-breaking conservation effort for both the park and the country, cementing Rwanda’s status as conservation focused, and an all-in-one safari destination.

“The return of lions to Akagera is a conservation milestone for the park and the country,” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “Restoring national parks to their former biodiversity state is a key deliverable of the African Parks conservation model and we, in conjunction with our government partner, the Rwanda Development Board, are delighted to have been able to re-introduce one of the most charismatic species to this beautiful national park.”

On arrival in Akagera National Park, Lions have been placed in a specially constructed 1,000m² boma in the north of the park. Split into two separate enclosures, the perimeter features a three-metre high, chain-linked electrified fence. A water reserve has been constructed within the boma and the lions are fed game meat while in the enclosure. They are due to be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days, during which they will be continually monitored, before being released into the wilderness of the park.

Local and foreign tourists visiting Akagera National Park will be able to catch a glimpse of lions by 1^st August, 2015. Be the first to catch a glimpse of lions in Akagera National Park.

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