Set in the remote northeastern corner of Akagera National Park, overlooking the glistening waters of Lake Rwanyakazinga, lies one of Rwanda’s most breathtaking safari retreats Magashi Camp. Operated by the renowned Wilderness Safaris, this exclusive eco-lodge embodies the very essence of Rwandan wilderness luxury, blending immersive safari adventure with world-class comfort and heartfelt hospitality.
Far from the misty forests of the Virungas and the mountain gorillas of the west, Magashi Camp reveals a different face of Rwanda one painted in golden savannahs, shimmering lakes, and acacia-dotted plains alive with wildlife. Here, the drama of nature unfolds in quiet elegance: elephants bathing in the lake’s shallows, lions patrolling the grasslands, and hippos grunting softly as the sun sets in a blaze of amber light.
Perched on a private concession within Akagera’s northeast, Magashi is Rwanda’s only luxury camp dedicated to a classic Big Five safari experience. It offers guests unrivaled exclusivity and intimacy, with just six spacious tents, personalized service, and a setting so pristine that every sunrise feels like a discovery. The camp’s philosophy “Purpose is the new luxury” reflects a deep commitment to conservation, community, and sustainable tourism, ensuring that every visit helps protect Rwanda’s wildlife and empower its people.
Whether you’re gliding across Lake Rwanyakazinga on a private boat safari, tracking lions and leopards on the open plains, or stargazing from your private deck to the calls of nightjars, Magashi Camp offers a truly transformative wilderness experience. This is not just a safari it’s an intimate encounter with the soul of wild Rwanda.
Location – Heart of Akagera’s Northern Wilderness
Magashi Camp is located in the northeast sector of Akagera National Park, about a six-hour scenic drive or a short helicopter flight from Kigali. This region of Akagera is known for its open landscapes, diverse habitats, and thriving wildlife populations, restored through one of Africa’s most successful conservation projects.
The camp sits on the edge of Lake Rwanyakazinga, one of the park’s largest and most beautiful bodies of water. The lake’s glassy surface reflects the surrounding acacia woodlands and rolling grasslands, creating a tranquil backdrop for game drives and boating safaris. Nearby wetlands attract abundant birdlife from African fish eagles and herons to the rare shoebill stork making Magashi a paradise for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike.
This area of Akagera is exclusive to Wilderness Safaris, ensuring total privacy and a feeling of untouched wilderness a stark contrast to the busy savannas of more commercial safari destinations.
Luxury Accommodation – Intimacy in the Wild
Magashi Camp offers six elegantly designed tented suites, each raised on wooden decks and positioned to maximize views of Lake Rwanyakazinga. The tents blend modern comfort with traditional safari charm, featuring wide canvas openings, thatched roofs, and stylish interiors adorned with locally crafted art and Rwandan textures.
Each suite includes:
- A private deck with panoramic lake and savannah views
- An en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers
- Plush king-sized beds and fine linen
- Solar-powered lighting and ceiling fans
- Thoughtful touches like binoculars, robes, and handcrafted furnishings
The camp’s central area features a spacious lounge, dining area, bar, and fire deck, all built to showcase the views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. An infinity pool offers a refreshing escape during the heat of the day, while the evening campfire invites guests to share stories beneath a canopy of stars.
The design philosophy centers on sustainability and simplicity creating a space that feels both luxurious and in tune with the natural environment.
Wildlife and Safari Activities
Magashi Camp delivers one of the most rewarding safari experiences in East Africa. Akagera National Park, once nearly devoid of wildlife due to poaching, has been reborn through the partnership between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and African Parks. Today, it boasts thriving populations of the Big Five including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino along with countless plains game species and over 500 species of birds.
- Game Drives
Guests enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles guided by expert Wilderness Safaris rangers. These drives traverse diverse habitats open plains, woodlands, and wetlands where sightings may include lions on the hunt, elephants at waterholes, giraffes browsing acacias, zebras grazing, and herds of antelope dotting the landscape.
Night drives reveal Akagera’s nocturnal life: leopards prowling, hyenas calling, and civets slipping through the tall grass under starlit skies.
- Boating Safaris on Lake Rwanyakazinga
One of Magashi’s signature experiences is the sunset boating safari. Guests drift quietly across the lake, watching pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and flocks of waterbirds as the golden light dances on the water. These excursions provide an entirely different perspective of Akagera peaceful, reflective, and filled with photographic opportunities.
Morning birding cruises are also available for enthusiasts hoping to spot rarities like the papyrus gonolek or shoebill stork.
- Guided Nature Walks
For those seeking a slower, more intimate connection with nature, guided bush walks offer the chance to discover the smaller wonders of Akagera from tracks and insects to medicinal plants and birds. Led by knowledgeable guides, these walks bring a new appreciation for the park’s intricate ecosystems.
- Birdwatching
With over 500 species, Akagera is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations. Lake Rwanyakazinga and its wetlands are hotspots for kingfishers, bee-eaters, fish eagles, herons, pelicans, and more. The rare shoe-billed stork, Ross’s turaco, and African finfoot are among the many highlights that make Magashi a birder’s dream.
- Cultural and Conservation Experiences
Magashi Camp offers insight into Rwanda’s remarkable conservation success story. Guests can learn about the reintroduction of lions and black rhinos, anti-poaching programs, and the role of local communities in managing the park. Cultural visits to nearby villages can also be arranged, offering a glimpse into traditional Rwandan life and the coexistence between people and wildlife.
Dining and Hospitality – A Taste of Rwanda’s Warmth
Dining at Magashi Camp is an event in itself a celebration of Rwandan flavors and international cuisine. Meals are served either in the open-air dining area or under the stars beside the firepit, accompanied by the sounds of nature.
Expect freshly baked breads, organic vegetables, grilled meats, and locally sourced ingredients presented with flair. The wine cellar offers fine international selections, while the bar serves refreshing cocktails and premium spirits.
Personalized service is at the heart of the Magashi experience from wake-up calls with coffee delivered to your tent, to evening turndowns with hand-written notes from your hosts. Every detail is designed to make guests feel at home in the wilderness.
Conservation and Purpose
Wilderness Safaris’ presence in Akagera through Magashi Camp is built on a foundation of purpose-driven tourism. The camp directly supports conservation initiatives, such as:
- Protecting Akagera’s reintroduced lion and rhino populations
- Funding anti-poaching patrols and ranger training
- Supporting education and community development in surrounding villages
Magashi operates entirely on solar power and minimizes waste through eco-friendly practices, proving that high-end tourism can coexist with genuine sustainability.
Why Stay at Magashi Camp
- Rwanda’s only ultra-luxury safari camp in Akagera National Park
- Exclusive Big Five safari experience in a private concession
- Breathtaking setting on Lake Rwanyakazinga
- Limited to just six luxury tents for total privacy
- World-class guides and hospitality by Wilderness Safaris
- Diverse activities: game drives, boating, walking safaris, birding
- Deep commitment to conservation and community
Magashi Camp is more than a safari lodge it’s a living testament to Rwanda’s extraordinary conservation journey. Here, in the quiet majesty of Akagera’s savannah, travelers rediscover the rhythm of nature and the meaning of responsible travel.
From the call of fish eagles at dawn to the glow of lanterns reflected on Lake Rwanyakazinga by night, every moment at Magashi is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and be transformed by the wilderness.
For those seeking luxury with purpose, adventure with meaning, and intimacy with nature, Magashi Camp stands unrivaled the crown jewel of Rwanda’s safari circuit.