2-Day Akagera Safari: Big Five and Lake Ihema
Two days hunting lions, elephants and rhinos across Rwanda's only Big Five park
A 2-day safari tour of Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, where you spend a full day on game drives through savannah and wetlands spotting the Big Five, then choose between a boat safari on Lake Ihema or a guided night drive to see nocturnal wildlife. The park spans 1,120 km² and is home to over 500 bird species, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and antelopes. A live English or French-speaking guide leads the tour, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, meals and travel insurance included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Full day game drive in Akagera Park
- Start early morning game drive
- Explore southern wetlands and wooded savannahs
- Spot lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, leopards
- See giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes
- Enjoy scenic picnic stops
- Learn about conservation efforts
- Exit park late afternoon or evening
Day 2: Wetland boat safari and night drive
- Boat safari on Lake Ihema
- View hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds
- Enjoy lake scenery and photography
- Scenic picnic stops
- Guided night game drive
- Spot nocturnal wildlife like hyenas and leopards
What’s included
- Air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide in English or French.
- hotel pickup and drop-off.
- refreshing mineral water and snacks throughout both days.
- travel insurance and kit insurance.
- parking fees and fuel surcharge.
Times
- Every day 05:00 05:30
Before you book
Operated by Kindness Tours
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
Akagera National Park sits in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border as a 1,120 km² mosaic of savannah, woodland, rolling hills and wetlands. Your first day is a 6–8 hour game drive starting early in the morning when predators are most active. You move through the park's diverse zones (from southern wetlands to wooded savannahs and open northern plains) stopping at scenic picnic spots and pausing for wildlife photography. The guide shares details about the park's conservation work and the reintroduction of key species as you watch for lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos and leopards, along with giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and a wide variety of antelopes and birds, including the rare shoebill.
On day two, you pick your own direction. The boat safari on Lake Ihema brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds from the water's edge, offering a different angle on the park's wildlife and landscape. If you prefer the nocturnal side, a guided night game drive with a ranger lets you encounter hyenas, bushbabies, servals, civets and occasionally leopards under the African night. Both options include scenic stops and photography time, plus insights from your guide on how the park has brought species back from near extinction.
The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped for the terrain. You travel with refreshing mineral water, snacks and meals included throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off are part of the booking, so you don't arrange transport separately. Children from age 5 are welcome. The tour runs at a pace that lets you absorb the landscape and wait for wildlife to appear rather than racing between stops.
Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport from where you're staying. The 2-day format lets you explore more of the park's zones and choose between water-based and nocturnal wildlife on day two, rather than cramming everything into a single morning or afternoon.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (25 to 30 years); Child (15 to 24 years); Infant (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What animals will I actually see on a 2-day Akagera safari?
Akagera is Rwanda's only Big Five destination, so lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos and leopards are present. You'll also encounter giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and over 500 bird species including the rare shoebill. Night game drives add hyenas, bushbabies, servals and civets to the list.
How long is the game drive each day?
The first day's game drive runs 6–8 hours, starting early in the morning when predators are most active. The second day depends on your choice: the boat safari on Lake Ihema or the guided night game drive both include scenic stops and photography time but no set duration is fixed.
Can I do both the boat safari and the night game drive, or do I choose one?
You choose one for your second day. The boat safari on Lake Ihema offers close views of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds from the water. The guided night game drive lets you encounter nocturnal wildlife like hyenas, bushbabies and occasionally leopards under the African night. Both are add-on options to enhance your journey.
What's included in the 2-day safari price?
The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or French, hotel pickup and drop-off, refreshing mineral water, snacks, travel insurance and parking fees. Entrance fees to Akagera National Park are separate and vary by category.
2-Day Akagera Safari: Big Five and Lake Ihema
2d · EN · FR
from US$ 350 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.