Karenge Bush Camp is a seasonal eco-camp located in the northern plains of Akagera National Park, open from May through March. Featuring only seven tents for up to 17 guests and no fences separating you from the surrounding wildlife and landscape, the camp provides an exclusive, low-impact safari experience. Guests fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and awaken to sweeping, wildlife-rich savannah views.
The camp is situated in the northern plains of Akagera National Park, the area with the park’s greatest concentration of wildlife, especially predators. It’s the best place to wake up early for a game drive while the air is still cool and animals are active.
| Guest Type | Category | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign | Per person sharing | $227 | $258 |
| Foreign | Single supplement | $109 | |
| Foreign | Child 6-12 yrs (triple sharing with parents) | $119 | $119 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Per person sharing | $170 | $186 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Single supplement | $78 | $83 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Child 6-12 yrs (sharing with parents) | $93 | $103 |
| Guest Type | Category | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | Per person sharing | $227 | $258 |
| International | Single supplement (amount you add) | $98 | $109 |
| International | Child 6-12 yrs (triple sharing with parents) | $119 | $119 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Per person sharing | $170 | $186 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Single supplement | $78 | $83 |
| Rwandan / EAC Resident | Child 6-12 yrs (sharing with parents) | $93 | $103 |
$360 - Single Occupant,
$250 per person Sharing
ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
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Other Camps & Lodges
$250/person 2 people Sharing $360 for 1 person single tent
Karenge Bush Camp takes its name from the Kinyarwanda word for “small footprint.” True to its name, the camp disappears completely at the end of each season, leaving nothing but grass and sky behind.
It was created for one purpose: to bring travelers into the wild heart of Akagera’s north, where wildlife gathers on the open plains. With just six tents, campfires under the stars, and dawn breaking over herds on the horizon, Karenge offers the feeling of being part of the wilderness rather than just visiting it.
Karenge's tented suites are designed for the bush, elevated on wooden platforms and facing the Kilala Plains on both sides of the central area. Each suite has an ensuite bathroom, mosquito nets, a changing space with shelves and a clothes rack, a mirror, and a safe. Outside, a private covered patio invites you to enjoy the sweeping plains.
Whats Included
Exclusions
What do I need to bring?
Found a lodge outside Akagera for half the price of staying inside? Read this before you book. Written by Richard Rwabutogo, Rwanda's former Tourism Destination Manager, this guide breaks down every accommodation option inside and outside the park, the entrance fee math most travelers miss, and how to match your lodge to your safari plan.
If We Cancel
In over 6,000 trips, we've never cancelled, but reserve the right to do so in exceptional circumstances. If we cancel, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.
If “God Cancels”
No refunds guaranteed for cancellations within 48 hours of departure, regardless of reason - weather, illness, travel bans, or any other circumstance. Add Protect Group's Enhanced Refund coverage (8% additional) to protect yourself.
If You Cancel
Less than 24 hours: No refund or credit, unless covered by Enhanced Refund Terms.
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Changed your mind? Full refund if you cancel within 24 hours. Zero penalty. No stress, no risk.
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Book direct online or at our Tourist Information Centers - we guarantee you will receive the lowest price available.
Instalment Payment Options
Split the cost—without paying more. Reserve your stay for 10% down, pay the rest on arrival.
Karenge Bush Camp is the only accommodation in the north and places you inside the park's most wildlife-rich corridor with unobstructed views from sunset to dawn. The area has open plains and higher predator activity on day and night drives, except leopards which are mostly spotted in the south. Simply put, this is where you will see what you came for. Birders favor the south where most species gather around the lakes.
Activities in the north:
Exclusive Access to Sunrise Safari
Safaris here begin at 5:30 in the morning, as the sun rises over the plains. The landscape benefits both predators and prey. The open ground lets them see each other clearly. If you spot one, the other is usually nearby. This safari is available to only the few who have spent a night at Karenge; you barely see another safari car, it's only the vastness of the wilderness with no one else or anything in between.
Exclusive Access to Night Safari
The South is known for its boat rides, especially at sunset. However, there are no lakes or boat rides in the North. Instead, the night safari stands out as much better than the one in the south. You ride in open safari cars, with spotlights lighting up the landscape for up to 60 meters. Seeing lions is always exciting, but at night the adventure feels even more thrilling. This is the top night safari in Akagera and gives you a chance to spot predators you might have missed during the day.
Real stories. Real awe. Hear what our guests experienced on this safari.
With so many safari options online, Akagera Safari's website stood out, and the guaranteed sighting delivered all the Big 5
Emilie
Booked direct and saved a fortune. Customer support responded so fast I genuinely thought I was chatting with a bot - turns out they're just that efficient.
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5:30 PM – Pick-up from the bush camp
Right before the sun-sets your are sick up in an all open safari car and you see the an array of colors in the sky as gold fades to pink and blue. The spotlights go one and you engulfed in darkness, where all you see is what is illuminated by the cars lights and the massive spotlights. On well lite start nights your guide interprets the stars to give you bearing and when you spot something it's all in whispers, a natural reaction for all who visit.
8:30 PM – Bonfire Dinner
Return to the bush camp for dinner by the bonfire. Meals are cooked in traditional Rwandan pots, and Masai shukas are given to keep you warm against the chilly breeze of the plains. The camp lights go out at 10:00 PM, and you fall asleep to the sounds of wildlife, looking forward to seeing them in the morning.
Your Questions, Answered
International guests
Low season: $227/night per adult
High season: $258/night per adult
Children (6–12): $119/night both seasons
Single supplement: $98 low / $109 high
Rwandan / EAC Residents
Low season: $170/night per adult
High season: $186/night per adult
Children: $93 low / $103 high
Single supplement: $78 low / $83 high
Seasons
Low: March–May, October–December 14
High: June–September, December 15–February
All rates are full board (dinner, breakfast, lunch). Park fees, drinks, and activities excluded.
Children aged 6 to 12 are charged $119 per night for international guests. Rwandan and EAC resident children pay $93 per night in low season and $103 in high season. Children under 6 are not accommodated. Guests over 12 are charged the full adult rate.
Karenge offers only six tents, which are typically fully booked during the high season from June to September and December 15 to February. To secure a reservation during these months, please book well in advance.
* Park fees are calculated by the number of nights spent in the park: $100 for the first night, $50 per night for nights two through four, and no charge from the fifth night onward.
Guests staying at the camp receive discounted park entrance fees starting from the second night. On the second night, you also receive a 10% discount, and by the third night, a 20% discount on accommodation.
The only entrance is located in the south. The drive north through the park takes approximately six hours. Please allow an additional 30 minutes for registration at the park reception and the park warden's briefing. Lunch, which is included in your full board, is served no later than 14:00.
The check-in time at Karenge is 17:30. Allow 6.5 hours to reach the northern area on a full safari, or 4 hours if driving directly without detours around the lakes. The speed limit in the park is 40 km/h.
If you are unavoidably delayed, call the lodge in advance to arrange an after-hours escort from the gate. The escort fee is $50 and this service is only available until 19:30 — arrivals after that cannot be accommodated.
Karenge offers the best night safari in Akagera, allowing you to see wildlife that may have been missed during the day. It is also the only location in the park, aside from the Luxury Camps in the Magashi Wilderness on its own peninsula, where you can enjoy a dawn safari.
Karenge offers only night safaris. And with two cars stationed at the camp, it's not always easy to secure one of them for a day safari. Our recommendation is to use the same safari car that brought you from. Kigali. It not only costs less but also offers the best experience and flexibility in the park
Karenge Bush Camp offers a warm and inviting escape in the heart of nature. Each roomy tent comes with its own patio or deck, en-suite shower, personal safe, and power outlets. The camp runs entirely on solar power, making it a great choice for eco-conscious travelers. Guests can relax in the dining area, lounge, or bar, and laundry service is available if needed. The camp is fully tented and provides WiFi. Emergency evacuation plans are in place for your safety. Children aged 6 and above are welcome. Please note that the terrain is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Yes, there is wifi reception at the camp.
Found a lodge outside Akagera for half the price of staying inside? Read this before you book. Written by Richard Rwabutogo, Rwanda's former Tourism Destination Manager, this guide breaks down every accommodation option inside and outside the park, the entrance fee math most travelers miss, and how to match your lodge to your safari plan.
3-Day Safari in Akagera National Park
Location: Akagera (South & North)
Sightings: Over 95% BIG 5
Duration: 3 days & 2 nights
Intensity: Level 2
Price/ person: $2,300 for 1 , $1400 for 2, $650 for 3, $1200 for 4+ pax
24/7 Support
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Tel: (250) 787 409 137
Toll-Free: US (831) 704-9840
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