Wilderness Safaris' New Camp in Rwanda: Magashi

Rwanda has long been famous for the mountain gorillas that inhabit its Volcanoes National Park. There, Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate Lodge has redefined the upscale wildlife experience. Now the same company has opened a contrasting second property, Magashi Camp, located in Akagera National Park, 130 miles to the east, on the border with Tanzania. Akagera’s 433 square miles comprise open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamps and grassy hills. Lions were reintroduced in 2015, followed by black rhino in 2017. Leopards are relatively numerous. The park is also home to a huge hippo population and extremely large crocodiles, as well as some of the best birding in East Africa, with more than 500 recorded species.

Magashi Camp overlooks Lake Rwanyakazinga and has six spacious tents with uninterrupted lake views and a design that reflects traditional Rwandan culture, plus a lounge, a dining and bar area, a pool and an expansive viewing deck with a fire pit. Akagera can now be combined with Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest of the country to create a circuit of Rwanda’s wildlife areas.