Akagera National Park Day Trip from Kigali: Big Five Safari
You can see all five big game animals in a single morning drive from the city.
A day trip from Kigali to Akagera National Park combines a morning game drive through Rwanda's oldest reserve with private transportation, park entry and lunch. The tour departs early to reach the savannas along the eastern border where the big five (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopard) roam the lakes and marshland. A live guide in English or French leads the drive, and the full itinerary fits inside eight to ten hours, making it feasible for travelers with limited time in the country.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Akagera National Park game drive
- Depart Kigali for Akagera Park
- Enjoy scenic drive through Rwanda
- Arrive for morning game drive
- Search for big five animals
- Explore lakes, swamps, and marshland
- Return to Kigali
The experience
Akagera sits along Rwanda's eastern border where the hilly countryside drops into the Great Rift Valley savannas. The park's lakes, swamps and marshland hold wildlife found nowhere else in the country, and a morning game drive is when the animals move most actively. You'll travel by private vehicle with a guide who knows where to find the big five, and the route also passes through different regions and cultures of Rwanda on the drive out and back from Kigali.
The tour runs eight to ten hours total, which means an early start and a return to the city by afternoon or early evening. Private transportation picks you up from your hotel, and the day includes park entry, a packed lunch and bottled water. The guide speaks English or French and can adjust the pace of the drive based on sightings and your interests. Children from age three are welcome on the tour.
What’s included
- Private transportation from your Kigali hotel.
- park entry fee.
- morning game drive with a live guide.
- lunch and bottled water throughout the day.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
Operated by Kawira Safaris Ltd
Is this one for you?The tour runs eight to ten hours with an early start, so it suits travelers who can commit a full day and don't mind an early departure. The game drive itself involves sitting in a vehicle on unpaved park roads for several hours, which works best for those comfortable with that pace and terrain.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years): free. Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What are the big five animals I might see in Akagera?
Akagera's big five are lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopard. The morning game drive is timed to when these animals are most active, though sightings depend on where they roam on any given day.
How long does the day trip take from start to finish?
The full tour runs eight to ten hours, including the drive from Kigali, the morning game drive in the park, lunch and the return to the city. An early departure means you'll be back by afternoon or early evening.
Does the tour include meals and water?
Yes, lunch and bottled water are included in the price. Private transportation from your hotel is also included, along with park entry.
Akagera National Park Day Trip from Kigali: Big Five Safari
8h–10h · EN · FR
from US$ 330 per person
4.577 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider