Rwanda’s Akagera National Park bags $2 million revenues in 2018

Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda joining the border with Tanzania, has witnessed a good number of increase in footfalls in 2018. The park’s management announced that the revenue generated last year account for about 75 percent of their annual budget.

Akagera National Park has recorded over 40,000 visitors and generated around $2 million in park revenue in 2018, which is an increase of 20 percent compared to 2017. According to The New Times, the number of visitors to the park that’s close to the border with Tanzania, has continued to swell since African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation managing 10 national parks and protected areas in seven African countries, took over its management in 2010.

“It took a combination of things including hard work,” Akagera National Park’s tourism and marketing manager, Sarah Hall. “The park has been on an upward trajectory since the signing of the public-private partnership between RDB and African Parks. It has taken a lot of hard work, a dedicated team and a good relationship with the Government. Obviously, things like the reintroduction of lions and rhinos gained a lot of attention,” Hall added.

While elucidating the plans and projections for 2019, Hall said that the five-star tented lodge operated by Wilderness Safaris and the launching of the new-look Akagera Game Lodge, now run by Mantis, will be big milestones for the country’s tourism. The five-star tented lodge is expected to open in May 2019. It is largely funded by the Howard G Buffet Foundation, through African Parks.