Here is a detailed overview of the campsites in both Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park:

🦁 Akagera National Park — Campsites

There are four campsites in Akagera — Muyumbu, Shakani, Mutumba, and Mihindi — all offering basic facilities for overnight stays as well as wonderful wildlife experiences.

🏕️ Shakani Campsite; Located just 15 minutes from the park’s southern main gate, Shakani sits on the shores of the picturesque Lake Shakani. It has a low-lying stone wall, an ablution block with flushing toilets, solar-heated showers, and two rondavels with wood-fired barbeques. It is the only lake in the national park where visitors can take part in fishing activities. Tents are available to rent but campers should bring their own mattresses and bedding.

🌅 Muyumbu Campsite; Muyumbu is situated high on a ridge overlooking Lake Ihema with Tanzania to the east, and serves as a spectacular backdrop for the rising sun. The camp has tents available for rent, but guests are reminded to arrange their own bedding equipment in advance. Muyumbu and Mutumba campsites have a low-lying electric fence surrounding them to protect against hippos and other animals, as well as pit latrines, an underground harvested rainwater reserve, an open-sided communal rondavel shelter, and barbecue facilities.

🏔️ Mutumba Campsite; Mutumba Campsite is located in the far northern end of Akagera National Park — the furthest camping ground from the park’s main entrance gate. Situated at the highest point in the park in Mutumba Hills, it is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including herds of roan antelope and elands. It also offers stunning views of Akagera’s big lakes and Tanzania in the distance, and is renowned for spectacular sunrises. It takes 2–3 hours to reach the park’s southern main gate. An electric fence is erected around it as a safety measure.

☕ Mihindi Campsite & Café; Mihindi Campsite and Café lies in the northern sector. The old research house has been converted into a coffee shop, and there is also a picnic area for day visitors. The campsite features a low-lying stone wall, an ablution facility with flush toilets and solar-heated showers, and two rondavels with wood-fired BBQ facilities. It is approximately 3–4 hours from the park’s southern main gate.

💰 Akagera Camping Fees

Camping at Shakani, Muyumbu, and Mutumba costs $25 per person per night for adults and $15 per person per night for children aged 6–12. Mihindi Campsite costs $50 per person per night for adults and $30 per person per night for children aged 6–12. Tent hire is available at $20 per 6-man canvas tent for the southern campsites (Shakani and Muyumbu) only. Park entry fees of $75–$100 per person also apply.

🌿 Nyungwe Forest National Park — Campsites

Camping at Nyungwe Forest National Park is done primarily from the Uwinka welcome facility, which is located south of Lake Kivu and serves as the starting point for most guided nature treks and canopy walks.

🌳 Uwinka Campsite; Uwinka Campsite is located inside Nyungwe National Park at the park’s main visitor centre — Uwinka Reception Center — situated on a ridge with amazing views of the surrounding rainforests. It is easily accessible by road from Kigali (approximately 5 hours) and nearby towns like Cyangugu (40 minutes). Accommodation is offered in tents on a covered wooden platform, protecting from rain, with amazing views of the verdant rainforest. The campsite has clean shared bathrooms with bucket showers (cold or hot water), an incredible firepit overlooking the valley, and firewood is provided for warmth. Uwinka Reception is the starting point for most activities, including the canopy walk, chimpanzee trekking, and hiking — making it a perfect base for backpackers.

🍃 Gisakura Campsite; Gisakura Campsite is located on Nyungwe’s western corridor near the Gisakura Visitor Centre. Set on six raised wooden platforms at a distance from one another, guests are surrounded by tall trees of the rainforest, from mountain mahogany to the grey plum tree. Close to the Gisakura tea estate, the campsite offers picturesque views of tea plantations blending into the rainforest. It is the perfect base for hikers to the Ndambarare and Kamiranzovu waterfalls, chimpanzee trekking in Cyamudongo, and community walks. Three hiking trails begin from Gisakura Campsite, and a group of around 50 black and white colobus monkeys can be tracked from here.

⛰️ Mount Bigugu Campsite; There is a camping ground on top of Mount Bigugu at an altitude of 2,950 metres above sea level, with a carrying capacity of only four to five people. Campers must carry their own water and all camping equipment, as there are no facilities on the summit. It is a truly wild, off-grid experience for serious adventurers.

🚵 Congo Nile Divide Trail Campsites; The Congo Nile Divide trail stretches 227 km, exploring the geographical divide of the water catchment for the River Nile and River Congo. Hiking the trail takes three nights and there are three different campsites along it. Campers are required to carry their own equipment including tents, sleeping bags, firewood, and food, and a guide is required for protection.

General Tips for Nyungwe Camping

• Temperatures at night can drop to around 10°C due to the park’s high elevation — warm clothing and sleeping bags are essential.
• Bottled water is available at the visitor centres, but bringing your own supply is strongly advised.
• Activities like chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walk require additional permit fees on top of camping fees.