Annual visitor numbers continue to increase at Akagera
Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda has seen a steady increase in visitor numbers since Akagera Management Company (AMC), a joint partnership between the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, assumed management of the park in 2010.
In 2011, AMC reported a total of 20,657 visitors to Akagera, which was a substantial 35% increase in the parks visitor numbers from 2010. In 2012, the park saw 23,048 visitors, an increase of 12% from 2011 and an overall 24% increase over the past two years.
In addition, 50% of the visitors were Rwandan nationals, demonstrating the extent to which Akagera has become a source of national pride within Rwanda. The entrance fees and activities alone produced over $500,000 in revenue. This growth in tourism receipts coupled with the steady increase in visitor numbers means that Akagera is well on track to becoming economically self-sustaining within the next 5-7 years.
Akagera National Park has been widely recognized as having the potential to become one of Rwanda’s premier tourism attractions. Since AMC took over management in 2010, the park has seen numerous improvements in infrastructure, including the development of new road networks, the maintenance of existing roads, the development of new signage and maps and the introduction of boats for lake-based tourism activities.
In 2012, Akagera Management Company started and completed the Ruzizi Tented Lodge, which sits on the south-western side of Lake Ihema, the largest lake in the park. The lodge was started in January 2012 and completed for opening to the public in October 2012. The new tented lodge is the first of its kind in Rwanda and it is already attracting a good occupancy and generating income for the park.
During 2013, emphasis will be placed on developing the tourism experience, including the completion thereof a day visitor’s centre at the main entrance to the park, which will be officially opened along with Ruzizi Tented Lodge in March 2013.
For further information:
Sarah Hall
Tourism and Marketing Manager
Akagera Management Company
+250 (0) 782 166 015