Akagera National Park was founded in 1934, and covers a total area of 1200 square kilometers in eastern Rwanda, along the Tanzanian border. The park was established with an aim to preserve and protect the animals and vegetation in three eco regions namely savannah, mountain, and swamp. Kagera River flows through the eastern boundary of the park and enters into several lakes.
One-third of the park is covered with swamps and lakes, which makes it the largest protected wetland in Central Africa. Much of the settlements of the park include refugees, who came after Rwandan Civil War. In 1997, the western boundary was regazetted due to reduction in land area. Hence, the park area was reduced from 2500 square kilometers to 1200 square kilometers.
Rwanda Development Board and the African Parks Network have signed an agreement for the renewal of the park. Currently, the Park is controlled by an organization of African Parks that are taking several measures to rehabilitate the park by installing several new perimeter fences and implementing many anti-poaching methods to increase the animal population. The only entry to the park is through the Kiyonza Gate, which is situated at the south of the park.