Akagera National Park generated approximately $1.53 million (RWF 2.26 billion) in commercial revenue during the third quarter of 2026, welcoming 15,790 visitors, according to its latest performance report.
The report, released on October 22, covers the period from July to September, during which 13,911 visitors paid to enter the park.
Akagera also hosted several events during the quarter, including the African Parks annual conference, Wildlife Ranger Challenge and Akagera Trail Marathon.
Beyond commercial earnings, the park reported economic benefits worth approximately $416,000 through community development programmes supporting local cooperatives. These initiatives reached 52,958 people living around the park.
Fishing activities also expanded, with 50,000 young tilapia introduced into Gacaca Valley Dam in July, followed by another 23,000 fish stocked in Musenyeri Dam in August.
In wildlife conservation, the park began practical drone training for teams responsible for monitoring rhinos, following approval from the relevant authorities.
The three-week programme aims to improve wildlife surveillance and protection, complementing existing monitoring activities conducted on foot and from the air.
During the quarter, conservation teams recorded 2,517 sightings of white rhinos and 413 sightings of black rhinos.
Three additional elephants were fitted with GPS tracking devices, while the number of individually identified elephants reached 121, representing approximately 85.2% of the park’s estimated elephant population.
The report also recorded fires affecting 16,631 hectares of the park. Some were linked to controlled burning for vegetation management, while others resulted from accidental human activity and fires associated with illegal hunting.
Akagera is jointly managed by the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks, with tourism and other commercial activities playing an increasingly important role in financing conservation and supporting neighbouring communities
RADIOTV10