The relatively warm and low-lying plains of Akagera comprise savannah, woodland, wetland and a dozen lakes. The largely open expanse is ideal for game viewing, and steps are being taken to ensure the Big Five roam the park in greater numbers over the course of time.

Since 2010, poaching has gone to an all time low, with the introduction of a helicopter, a canine unit and rhino trackers. A family of lions from South Africa is settling in well, and breeding successfully, and 18 eastern black rhinos have also been reintroduced.

Visitors can also encounter buffalo, elephant, antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, an incredible 490 bird species and much more. A boat trip on Lake Ihema is also a highlight of any visit to Akagera, with its large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and abundant waterbirds on the island in the middle of the lake.