Wilderness Magashi Camp

Home Wilderness Magashi Camp

A tented safari lodge that occupies a lakeside position on the northeastern shore of Lake Rwanyakazinga. The surrounding terrain includes open savannah, papyrus wetlands, and wooded hills, with hippos and crocodiles commonly visible from the camp. Morning light across the water and the sounds of waterbirds define the setting. The camp is small and tented, with six guest units arranged along the lakeshore under light canvas roofing and timber frames. Inside, the design uses natural textures and muted tones, while private decks face the water and give each tent separation from the next. A central lounge and dining area sit slightly elevated, keeping the lake and its wildlife within sight during meals and downtime. After a morning game drive through Akagera's northern sector, you return to a place that feels open, quiet, and closely connected to the wetland environment.

INSIDE Wilderness Magashi Camp

The camp sits on the shore of Lake Rwanyakazinga in the northeastern section of Akagera National Park, within the park’s prime wildlife viewing zone. Access from Kigali takes roughly two and a half hours by road to the park’s northern gate, followed by a game drive transfer to camp.

Six luxury tented suites face Lake Rwanyakazinga, each with a bedroom, sitting area, and en suite bathroom featuring a flush toilet and bucket shower. Every tent includes a private deck with seating, while overhead canvas and mesh panels allow airflow and light throughout the day.

The central area contains a lounge, dining space, and bar, all oriented toward the lake and open on the water-facing side. Staff provide laundry service, daily game drives, guided bush walks, boat excursions on Lake Rwanyakazinga, and fishing outings during the stay.

Boat safaris on Lake Rwanyakazinga depart directly from the camp, giving guests close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and large waterbird colonies without a vehicle transfer. The camp’s position within the park’s northern sector also places it in the heart of Akagera’s highest concentration of wildlife, including elephant and lion.

Nearby Experiences

Open grassland and wooded hillsides allow visibility across wide distances, with predator sightings increasingly reliable since lion reintroduction. Large buffalo herds attract hunting activity and elephants browse along lake margins. The northern sector concentrates larger mammals, while southern routes pass through quieter woodland with antelope and birdlife.

Lake Ihema extends along the park’s eastern boundary, its waters holding hippo pods and large Nile crocodiles. A boat moves you through channels where papyrus gives way to open water and waterbirds gather along the shoreline. Fish eagles call from overhanging branches while monitor lizards rest on exposed banks.

Black rhinos occupy a protected zone within the park, monitored by dedicated tracking teams. Guided walks bring you into this sector on foot, following signs until a sighting is confirmed. The experience operates under strict protocols to minimize disturbance while allowing close observation of a species once eliminated from Rwanda entirely.

The wetland system attracts papyrus endemics including the papyrus gonolek and shoebill, though the latter remains uncommon. Savanna zones hold open-country species absent from Rwanda’s forested parks. A combination of boat safari and game drive covers both water-dependent and grassland specialists within a single day.

The park’s recovery from near-total wildlife loss offers insight into active rewilding efforts. Visits to the rhino tracking headquarters show you how monitoring technology and ranger patrols operate daily.

Our Immersive Safaris