{"id":56069,"date":"2025-10-26T13:59:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T13:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/national-geographic-names-akagera-among-the-world-s-top-destinations-for-2026\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T10:01:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:01:37","slug":"national-geographic-names-akagera-among-the-world-s-top-destinations-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/national-geographic-names-akagera-among-the-world-s-top-destinations-for-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"National Geographic names Akagera among the world\u2019s top destinations for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The accolade, part of the publication\u2019s annual Best of the World feature, highlights 25 must-visit locations globally, curated by the magazine\u2019s editors, photographers, and adventurers.<\/p>\n<p>Among the world\u2019s top destinations for 2026, National Geographic also included Banff in Canada, the Dolomites in Italy, Akagera\u2019s Caribbean counterparts like Dominica, the Basque Country in Spain, and Morocco\u2019s Rabat. The selections span continents and offer a mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and adventure, reflecting the magazine\u2019s commitment to showcasing both iconic and lesser-known destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Nestled along Rwanda\u2019s eastern border, Akagera offers a Big Five safari experience in a setting of rolling savannas, lush woodlands, and winding waterways. The park is home to lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and over 500 bird species. <\/p>\n<p>According to National Geographic, Akagera attracts around 50,000 visitors annually, offering a quieter and more intimate safari experience compared to Tanzania\u2019s Serengeti and Kenya\u2019s Masai Mara.<\/p>\n<p>Once severely affected by poaching and deforestation in the 1990s, Akagera has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 15 years. The Rwanda Development Board, in partnership with African Parks, has successfully rehabilitated the park\u2019s ecosystems and wildlife populations. <\/p>\n<p>A notable milestone in this recovery was the reintroduction of rhinos from South Africa in 2021, followed by the relocation of 70 additional white rhinos in May 2025, positioning Akagera as a leading conservation hub in the region.<\/p>\n<p>Tourism infrastructure is also expanding, with new and upgraded hospitality options enhancing the safari experience. The southern part of the park, closest to Kigali, saw extensive renovations at Karenge Bush Camp, while the northern Magashi Peninsula welcomed Wilderness Magashi, a high-end safari camp offering tented suites and remote wildlife encounters.<\/p>\n<p>The park also offers diverse activities, including game drives, boat safaris, and hot air balloon rides, providing multiple ways to explore its natural beauty.<\/p>\n<p>The national park\u2019s accolade comes as Rwanda continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination, with the tourism sector generating $647 million in revenue in 2024. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has set an ambitious target of surpassing $700 million in earnings for 2025, as part of the nation\u2019s strategy to reach $1.1 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2029.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96780 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3d.jpg\" alt=\"Akagera offers a Big Five safari experience in a setting of rolling savannas, lush woodlands, and winding waterways. The park is home to lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and over 500 bird species. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96781 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/5-1830-b9d2d.jpg\" alt=\"A hippo at Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96755 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gxgn6iewaaaitmi-61861.jpg\" alt=\"Lions at Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96758 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0573-7-a81ad.jpg\" alt=\"Zebras in Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96761 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0092-3-25450.jpg\" alt=\"A giraffe at Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96763 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/d61a5289-64ea0.jpg\" alt=\"A leopard in Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96766 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inkura_imwe_mu_nyamaswa_ishantu_nini-c16e0.jpg\" alt=\"Rhinos are also common in Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96768 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inkura_-c76a3.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96778 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0175-6-4ac24.jpg\" alt=\"Elephants at Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96777 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0259-2-2bdb6.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96774 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0274-3-b443f.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96759 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0216-7-b9fa2.jpg\" alt=\"There are various species of birds at Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96771 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0327-3-53d54.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96760 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0007-2-9fb7d.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96757 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0222-6-076cb.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96764 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/inkorongo_ni_iyamaswa_idakunda_kuboneka_kuko_nizimwe_mu_inyamaswa_zirimo_gushira_cyane_muri_park_ya_kagera_kuko_izisigayemo_nizirenga_ijana-fd957.jpg\" alt=\"An antelope in Akagera.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96765 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ingona_ubwo_yaririmo_kota_akazuba-02e30.jpg\" alt=\"A crocodile in Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-96772 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/imbongo_ubwo_zarimo_kurishya-faab1.jpg\" alt=\"Buffaloes in Akagera National Park.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>National Geographic has recognised Akagera National Park in Rwanda as one of the top travel destinations for 2026, a nod to the country\u2019s successful conservation efforts and burgeoning tourism sector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000096782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[72,75],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-56069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism","tag-featured-news-home","tag-homenews","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000096782,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/game-drives-in-akagera-national-park-visit-rwanda-rwanda-tour-56d3dlogo.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56069"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56069\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000096782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56069"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=56069"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=56069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}