Experience Rwanda’s only savannah national park with this 2 Days Akagera Wildlife Safari. This short wildlife escape from Kigali gives you the chance to explore Akagera’s plains, lakes, wetlands, and woodlands while searching for the Big Five and enjoying a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Trip Overview
Duration: 2 days (Kigali → Akagera → Kigali)
Distance: Approx. 250–300 km round trip
Activity level: Easy to moderate, with game drives and light walking
Best time to go: Year-round, but dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the best wildlife viewing conditions
Highlights: Big Five game drive, Lake Ihema boat cruise, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, birdlife, and scenic savannah landscapes
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your Kigali hotel or the airport. Drive east through Rwanda’s scenic countryside to Akagera National Park, arriving in time for a game drive after park entry. Explore the southern and central sectors of the park, where you may spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, antelopes, and, with luck, lions or rhinos. In the afternoon, continue with wildlife viewing before checking in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay near the park.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise and Return to Kigali
After breakfast, head out for an early morning game drive when animals are most active. Continue searching for wildlife in the park’s open plains and around the lakes. Later, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and possibly the shoebill stork. After the cruise, have lunch and begin your drive back to Kigali for hotel drop-off or airport transfer in the evening.
What’s Included
- Hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation for 1 night near Akagera National Park
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Park entry fees
- Lake Ihema boat cruise
- Bottled drinking water
- All government taxes and levies
What’s Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional activities not listed in the package
- Personal expenses such as laundry, calls, and souvenirs
Optional Add-Ons (Upgrade Options)
- Private vehicle upgrade
- Luxury lodge upgrade
- Extra game drive
- Sunset boat cruise
- Kigali city tour before or after the safari
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light clothing and a jacket
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Camera or smartphone
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication
- Cash for tips and souvenirs