2-Day Akagera Safari from Kigali: Big Five and Mutumba Camping

Two days hunting the Big Five, a sunset at Rwanda's highest park viewpoint, and a night under the stars

A 2-day safari tour from Kigali into Akagera National Park with game drives, a boat ride, and camping at Mutumba viewpoint. Day 1 crosses Rwanda's "Land of a Thousand Hills," includes a game drive or boat ride to spot hippos, crocodiles and elephants, and ends with a bush dinner at the highest point in the park. Day 2 starts before dawn to catch wildlife active around the lakes, then searches for the Big Five across a full-day drive before returning to Kigali.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Scenic drive and game drive with camping

• Pickup from Kigali accommodation
• Drive to Akagera National Park
• Stop for photos or coffee break
• Arrive at Akagera National Park
• Game drive or boat ride on Lake Ihema
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Visit Mutumba viewpoint for sunset
• Set up camp and enjoy bush dinner

Day 2: Morning game drive and wildlife exploration

• Wake up and have light breakfast
• Early morning game drive
• Full-day game drive searching for Big Five
• Picnic lunch in the park
• Exit park and drive back to Kigali
• Arrive in Kigali

The experience

The drive from Kigali takes you through Rwanda's rolling terrain to Akagera, where you choose between a game drive or a boat ride on Lake Ihema to start spotting wildlife. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants and over 500 bird species live here, so the first afternoon already fills with sightings. A picnic lunch sits somewhere in the park's savannah, and by evening you're at Mutumba viewpoint, the highest point in Akagera, watching the sun drop over the landscape before settling into camp for the night.

Day 2 begins before sunrise. After a light breakfast at the campsite, you head out on an early morning game drive when animals move toward the lakes to drink. The full-day drive that follows (up to six hours) focuses on the Big Five: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and leopards, plus giraffes, antelopes and baboons. Another picnic lunch breaks the drive, and you exit through the northern gate in the afternoon to head back to Kigali.

The 4X4 LandCruiser stays with you both days, equipped with WiFi on board. Camping equipment, meals and bottled water are included. The only cost not covered is the park entry fee, which you arrange separately.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Kigali accommodation.
• 4X4 LandCruiser with a live guide speaking English or French.
• camping equipment including tents and sleeping bags.
• lunch, dinner and picnic lunch.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board the vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Child (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vista Safaris

Is this one for you?Two full days lets you cover both a game drive and a boat ride on Day 1, then dedicate Day 2 entirely to searching for the Big Five across the park's different habitats: a schedule that rules out a same-day return to Kigali but makes the wildlife hunting possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6).

What animals am I most likely to see on a 2-day Akagera safari?

Akagera holds hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, baboons and over 500 bird species. The Big Five (lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and leopards) are the focus of Day 2's full-day drive, though sightings depend on where animals are on the day you visit.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife?

Day 1 includes a game drive or boat ride in the afternoon after arrival. Day 2 is a full-day game drive lasting up to six hours, starting before sunrise when animals are most active around the lakes.

What is Mutumba viewpoint and why camp there?

Mutumba is the highest point in Akagera National Park, offering views across the entire landscape. You camp there on Night 1, eat dinner under the stars, and wake to a sunrise over the park before your second day of driving.

Do I need to arrange the park entry fee myself?

Yes, park entry is not included in the tour price. You'll need to pay it separately when you arrive at Akagera on Day 1.

What's included in the meals during the 2 days?

Lunch and a picnic lunch are included on Day 1, along with a bush dinner at Mutumba. Day 2 includes a light breakfast at camp and a picnic lunch during the drive. Bottled water is provided throughout.