MAGASHI CAMP GUIDE FOR AKAGERA - RWANDA

Magashi Camp Overview & Where Is It Located?

Tucked away in a picturesque corner in the northeast of Akagera National Park is the premier Magashi Camp. Choose this stayover for your luxury safari vacation in Africa, and you will be immersed in a gorgeous slice of paradise with the Lake Rwanyakazinga shimmering in front of you, cradled within gently rolling hills.

Magashi Camp itself is constructed out of naturally-occurring materials such as treated timber, canvas, and poles intended to minimize the carbon footprint on this delicate ecosystem. Solar panels have been installed to generate electricity for the camp though generators are also present for uninterrupted power supply on cloudy or rainy days. Eco-travelers are pleased to learn about the other efforts adopted by the management (Wilderness Safaris) to preserve the pristine environs of Akagera Park. The water supply is sourced from a borehole and purified using natural systems. You can spend time in the open-sided canvas-topped lounge-cum-bar with a deck in front adorned with the ethnic ‘imigongo’ murals for which Rwanda is so famous. Plush sofas and other hand-crafted knick-knacks liven up the elegant spaces while the pool is a lovely addition for taking a dip or sunbathing.

Key Takeaways

• Lakeside location in the remote northeastern region of Akagera National Park
• Constructed out of naturally-occurring materials
• Low carbon footprint. Eco camp with electricity generated using solar panels
• Magashi has a swimming pool. Water sourced from a borehole using purified natural system
• Adorned with the ethnic ‘imigongo’ murals

What To Expect At Magashi Camp Accommodation?

Key Takeaways

• Premier Safari Tier 1 Experience. Total of 8 tented rooms, 3 with a large double bed and 5 with twin beds
• Minimum age for kids is 6 years and each tented room can have a maximum of 1 extra bed
• The rooms have a view of the lake. Semi-permanent rooms with roll-up canvas walls and ceiling, flooring is wooden
• Ensuite bathroom with shower, bathrobes, slippers, and high quality toiletries
• Indoor and outdoor seating arrangements

For the duration of your safari holiday in Rwanda, you will be staying in one of the 8 grandeur tents provided by the Magashi. Of these, 3 units are furnished with a large double bed, and the other 5 have twin beds. The twins can be converted into doubles, but do let AfricanMecca know at the time of booking your stay. The camp also makes arrangements to accommodate up to 2 private travel guides accompanying your group. Children 6 years and above are welcome, and the staff organizes one extra bed in each tent; though, a sole vehicle use and multiple tent bookings are required for families on safari.

Enjoy the leisurely walk along raised wooden walkways surrounded by the lush greenery of Akagera Park to reach your room. Built with loving care by the local artisans and members of the community, the tents have open sides with roll-up canvas walls that you can drop when you need privacy. At other times, revel in the sights and sounds of the Akagera with views of the lake from the deck outside. Diaphanous mosquito netting surrounds the large bed while faux fur and area rugs grace the wooden flooring.

You will have a small seating arrangement where you can put up your feet and enjoy the tranquil beauty of Akagera National Park. The open racks are perfect for unpacking for your safari trip, and although there is no air conditioning, a pedestal fan keeps the interiors ventilated. Drinking water is placed in the tented rooms in refillable glass bottles. Other amenities include tea and coffee making supplies, electronic safe for storing valuables, journal table and chair, and a minibar. You can spend time on the wraparound wooden deck outside that has lightweight rattan furniture. The ensuite bathroom is at the back and is constructed out of wall tiling and stone floors. Expect to see a separate shower area and a single vanity. High-grade toiletries, a vanity kit, eco-friendly detergent, bathrobes, and slippers are placed for your use.

Things To Do (Activities & Tour Attractions) & Why Visit Magashi Camp On Akagera Safari?

Key Takeaways

• Important Birding Area with around 520 bird species
• Walking safaris to sight flora and small creatures like insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals
• Night game drives to view nocturnal wildlife
• Boating tours to spot crocodiles, hippos, avian life including the rare shoebill stork
• Game drives to view various wildlife including new introductions like black rhinos and lions

Given that Akagera National Park is off the well-trodden tourist circuit in Rwanda, you can enjoy the truly incredible experience of viewing the wildlife without the disturbance of scores of other travelers. As Magashi Camp guides will inform you, it is not uncommon to see several species of herbivores in the camp’s environs. Look out for the elephant, duiker, roan, reedbuck, eland, giraffe, baboon, zebra, bush pig, warthogs, oribi, buffalo, the elusive sitatunga, and newly introduced black rhino. Among the predators, you might chance to spot the leopard, hyena, and the lion pride that was introduced into the park in 2015. Birding enthusiasts will be excited to know that they can visit an acclaimed Important Birding Area that is known to host around 520 different species.

In addition to exciting day and night game drives, you could also go on walking safaris to experience the smaller jewels of the African bush via sight, sound, texture and smell encounters. A night game drive is perfect for spotting species that only come out in the cover of darkness to hunt and feed. Smaller animals like the porcupine, honey badger, white-tailed mongoose, and various reptiles and amphibians are best seen during twilight. Touring Akagera Park’s water bodies by boat is another exciting excursion that treats to views of enormous crocodiles and pods of hippos along with the whimsical shoebill stork.

How Is The Dining At Magashi Camp?

Key Takeaways

• Indoor and outdoor dining options
• Campfires lit in the evening for lively conversations and sundowners
• Bar located in the lounge area
• Local and international gourmet cuisine available
• Meals cooked using organic ingredients sourced from local farms

Magashi Camp serves you excellent gourmet fare cooked by the in-house chefs. The dining area is a part of the lounge, and you can relish meals served with wines from the private cellar. Look forward to both local and global dishes, including delicious pasta with a side of homemade bread and green banana stew, a Rwandan delicacy. In the evenings, the staff organizes a campfire on the deck so you can sip on sundowner drinks as you recount your adventures of the day. The bar is located in the lounge area and serves you with delicious cocktails and other beverages. Both indoor and lakeside dining options are available.