Wilderness Rwanda has officially opened Magashi Peninsula, an exclusive new retreat set within one of the most captivating corners of Akagera National Park. The launch marks an important step in the company’s long-term commitment to conserving Rwanda’s last remaining savannah landscapes, while creating immersive, high-end safari experiences that support both wildlife and neighbouring communities. Located on a private peninsula framed by sweeping lake views and the rugged Mutumba Mountains, Magashi Peninsula elevates the park’s safari offering with its tranquillity, refinement and deep connection to place.

For Wilderness Rwanda Executive Director Manzi Kayihura, the opening represents both celebration and responsibility. He describes Akagera as a landscape defined by beauty, ecological significance and resilience—a place that now demands a new chapter of elevated, conservation-led tourism. The camp, he says, reinforces Wilderness’ dedication to honouring Akagera’s wildlife, uplifting surrounding communities and sharing the park’s stories with travellers seeking meaningful, nature-based journeys.

Magashi Peninsula is designed as a sanctuary of seclusion. Its architecture and layout ensure extraordinary privacy, with no interlinked walkways and generous spacing of 150–200 metres between accommodations. The camp features a sophisticated central guest area for dining and relaxation, but the heart of its offering lies in its three accommodation types: a private four-bed villa and two standalone suites. The villa’s layout balances luxury with flexibility, combining two en-suite twin rooms with a spacious central lounge, dining space, kitchen and private pool.

A third en-suite room offers adaptability for families or longer-stay travellers, doubling as a children’s room, office or gym. Guests enjoy in-villa dining, a dedicated private guide and the option of elevated Star Bed sleep-outs beneath vast, unpolluted night skies. The two suites echo the villa’s understated elegance, each with its own plunge pool, Star Bed and far-reaching views across Lake Rwanyakazinga and the surrounding plains.

The camp’s design philosophy is grounded in harmony with its natural environment. Created through a collaborative partnership between Luxury Frontiers and Artichoke Interior Design, the architecture emphasises low-impact structures, handcrafted details and a palette that draws directly from Akagera’s landscapes. Artichoke has ensured that the interiors honour Rwandan craftsmanship through contemporary expression, blending woven textures, bespoke furniture and artisan décor that reflect the region’s cultural heritage. The result is a retreat that feels both authentically rooted and meticulously refined.

Culinary experiences form a central element of Magashi Peninsula’s identity. Led by a talented team of Rwandan chefs, the menu sources ingredients from local farmers and small-scale producers, weaving sustainability and community empowerment into every meal. Food becomes a form of storytelling—an opportunity to celebrate the region’s flavours, traditions and the people who cultivate them.

Beyond its aesthetic and hospitality excellence, the camp strengthens Wilderness’ on-the-ground conservation impact in Akagera. Through an ongoing partnership with African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board, Magashi Peninsula contributes directly to critical initiatives such as predator monitoring, invasive species control, habitat management and conservation education. Many staff members originate from communities near the park, ensuring tourism revenue flows directly to local households while also bringing invaluable cultural knowledge into the camp environment. Skills development remains a key focus, exemplified by the recent achievement of four Rwandan guides from Wilderness Magashi becoming the first in the country to earn FGASA qualifications—including Rwanda’s first female FGASA-certified guide, a milestone for the nation’s guiding profession.

Community upliftment extends even further through the Children in the Wilderness programme, which works with schools and families in Akayange village. By supporting education and fostering conservation awareness among young learners, Wilderness is investing in the next generation of environmental custodians.

Magashi Peninsula offers access to ten different ecosystems, from wetlands and open plains to woodlands and rolling hills, making every excursion a chance to encounter new facets of Akagera’s ecological diversity. Guests can enjoy personalised guiding, water-based adventures on luxury pontoons or swamp cruisers, serene lakeside sundowners, gourmet picnics, guided night drives and catch-and-release fishing. Wildlife viewing is equally exceptional. The peninsula is home to elusive species such as oribi and sitatunga, as well as both black and white rhinos. Its surrounds support healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, leopard, Masai giraffe, zebra and topi, and Akagera remains one of the rare places where visitors may encounter its famed tree-climbing lions.

For Wilderness Rwanda, Magashi Peninsula represents a celebration of purpose, beauty and resilience. As Manzi reflects, the retreat invites travellers into “an intimate journey into the soul of Akagera,” where every stay directly contributes to the protection and restoration of one of Africa’s most distinctive wilderness areas. With its exceptional privacy, refined design and steadfast commitment to conservation, Magashi Peninsula sets a new benchmark for eco-luxury in Rwanda and reinforces the vital role of responsible tourism in safeguarding the continent’s natural heritage.

Source: wilderness

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Wilderness Rwanda Unveils Magashi Peninsula.