Wilderness Magashi Concession newsletter – February 2026

At Magashi Peninsula, something special has been unfolding.

The stretch of bush between Suites 1 and 2 has quietly become a favourite passage for one of the concession’s most elusive residents: the leopard. Time and again, these magnificent cats have been seen moving stealthily through the area, and clearly the Peninsula itself is part of their daily territorial patrol.

Some sightings were fleeting – a silhouette slipping between the trees; others were extraordinary moments, where the leopard rested calmly in view, allowing guests to admire every detail of this iconic Big 5 species.

While leopards dominated the Peninsula’s quiet corners, elephants have been commanding the wider landscape with their majestic presence.

Earlier this month, large herds moved steadily through our Magashi area, their ponderous appearance instantly transforming guests’ activities. Conversations stopped, cameras appeared and memory cards were filled.

As the month progressed, these giants extended their movement towards Magashi Peninsula, even appearing near the Main Area and close to the Villa. Watching them browse peacefully near camp in the warm light of the afternoon was a rare treat.

Few places offer the magic of hearing elephants rumbling near camp, while simultaneously knowing a leopard may be resting quietly just beyond the trees. These quintessential safari moments truly set Magashi apart.

This month brought a proud moment for the entire team as Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s most prestigious travel publications, featured Magashi Peninsula.

This international recognition highlights:

• Our unwavering commitment to conservation
• The exceptional guest experience delivered by our teams
• The breathtaking beauty of the Peninsula itself

To see Magashi represented on such a global platform is a celebration of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every team member across both our lodges. It is a powerful reminder that the work done here every day genuinely resonates far beyond the concession.

The legendary Amahoro Pride continues to thrive, offering some of the most inspiring wildlife stories across the concession.

The cubs that once stayed cautiously close to their mothers are now growing into confident sub-adults. Slowly but surely, they are learning about pride life – patience, hierarchy, and the discipline needed to survive in the wild.

One young male has been observed with a noticeable limp. Yet despite this challenge, he remains active, feeding well, and fully integrated within the pride. 

Adding even more excitement to the big cat landscape, and in addition to F9’s cubs reported last month, F23 – another female offspring of Amahoro – has welcomed a new litter of cubs.

While the cubs themselves have not yet been seen out in the open, several signs strongly suggest their presence. A carefully chosen den site, protective movements from the mother, and subtle behavioural changes all point to the arrival of new life.

Somewhere within the hilly landscape of Magashi, a new generation is growing.

The thought alone fills the team with tremendous anticipation. These tiny cubs represent the future of the pride, and a powerful symbol of conservation success within Akagera.

For now, they remain out of sight, but the concession is eagerly awaiting the moment these young lions take their first steps into the wild world.

February brought unexpected rainfall, presenting several operational challenges across our Magashi and Magashi Peninsula lodges.

Roads required careful attention, pathways needed reinforcement, and infrastructure demanded constant monitoring. Despite these conditions, our dedicated Maintenance Team ensured camp logistics continued running smoothly.

Their efforts guaranteed that:

• Both lodges remained fully operational
• Guest areas stayed safe, accessible, and welcoming
• Infrastructure across the concession remained stable
• The overall appearance of the lodges stayed close to perfection

Supporting both camps, their commitment and quick response ensured that guests experienced the same high standards of comfort and service, rain or shine.

Their work behind the scenes remains one of the pillars that keeps the Magashi lodges running seamlessly.

This month we were honoured to welcome members of our Group Impact and Environment team, viz., Vince, Warren, and Mariette.

Their visit brought valuable perspective, renewed motivation, and important discussions around sustainability and long-term conservation within the concession.

Through field walks, team engagement, and practical sessions, they shared insights on protecting fragile ecosystems, improving operational sustainability, and strengthening the role of conservation within our daily work.

Their visit reminded us that being part of Wilderness means every action contributes to protecting landscapes, wildlife, and communities for future generations.

The team left us inspired and proud to be custodians of this remarkable Rwandan wilderness.

Thank you for the best safari experience – the whole team is amazing and so friendly! we are so happy!
L.K. – UK & AUSTRALIA

It was a magical experience in a beautiful and unique place. Friendly and helpful staff who made us feel at home. We want to come back.
V. L. – Como, ITALY    

A++ an mazing experience! Thank you for your attention and kindness.
Jean -- Chicago

Magical place with very lovely people and very good food! Amazing experience with our guide Marcelin! Thank you All!!!