Magashi Camp in Akagera: A Premier Wildlife Experience
Magashi Camp, a Wilderness Safaris property, offers an exclusive and luxurious safari experience in the heart of Akagera National Park. Perched on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, it provides an intimate and immersive connection with Rwanda’s only savannah national park.
Location and Setting
Magashi Camp is strategically located in the remote, productive northeastern part of Akagera National Park, an area known for its abundant wildlife. Its position on Lake Rwanyakazinga offers spectacular water views and direct access to both land-based and water-based safari activities. The camp’s design subtly blends into the landscape, reflecting Wilderness Safaris’ commitment to minimal environmental impact.
Accommodation: Elegant Tented Suites
The camp features just eight spacious and elegantly appointed tented suites, ensuring an intimate and exclusive atmosphere.
- Design & Comfort: Each tent is raised on a wooden platform, offering stunning views of the lake. Interiors are tastefully decorated with a blend of classic safari elegance and contemporary touches. They feature comfortable king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and private viewing decks.
- Sustainability: Built with sustainability in mind, the tents are designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, minimizing the need for artificial cooling or heating.
Dining: Gourmet Bush Cuisine
Dining at Magashi Camp is an integral part of the luxury safari experience, focusing on fresh, high-quality ingredients and creative menus.
- Communal Dining: Meals are often served in a communal dining area, fostering camaraderie among guests as they share stories of their daily adventures. Private dining options can also be arranged.
- Bush Breakfasts & Sundowners: Enjoy unforgettable bush breakfasts in scenic locations within the park and classic safari sundowners with drinks and snacks as the sun dips below the horizon.
- Menu: The menu offers a blend of international and African-inspired dishes, all prepared to gourmet standards.
Safari Activities: Land & Water Based
Magashi Camp excels in offering a diverse range of safari activities that showcase Akagera’s rich biodiversity.
- Game Drives: Experienced Wilderness Safaris guides lead morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles. Akagera is home to the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), as well as zebras, giraffes, various antelopes, and a profusion of birdlife. The camp’s location in a prime game-viewing area often results in excellent sightings.
- Boat Safaris on Lake Rwanyakazinga: A highlight at Magashi. Explore the lake on guided boat safaris, offering close encounters with large concentrations of hippos and enormous Nile crocodiles. The lake is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a chance to spot rare species like the elusive shoebill stork.
- Walking Safaris: Guided walks with armed rangers offer an intimate perspective of the bush, focusing on tracking, identifying plants, insects, and smaller creatures often missed from a vehicle.
- Catch-and-Release Fishing: Anglers can enjoy catch-and-release fishing on Lake Rwanyakazinga.
- Night Drives: Opportunities to spot nocturnal animals like civets, genets, bushbabies, and sometimes predators on the hunt.
Service and Conservation Ethos
- Exceptional Guiding: Wilderness Safaris is renowned for its highly trained and knowledgeable guides, who bring a deep understanding of the ecosystem and a passion for wildlife.
- Personalized Service: The small number of guests ensures highly personalized and attentive service from the dedicated camp staff.
- Commitment to Conservation: As a Wilderness Safaris property, Magashi Camp is deeply committed to sustainable tourism and conservation. It operates with a minimal footprint, invests in local communities, and plays a vital role in Akagera’s ongoing success in wildlife protection and reintroductions.
Magashi Camp offers a sophisticated and authentic safari experience, making it the top choice for discerning travelers seeking premier wildlife viewing and luxury accommodation in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park