Akagera National Park Safari: Private Game Drive & Boat Ride

Game drive and lake crossing in one day from Rwanda's capital

A private full-day safari tour from Kigali into Akagera National Park with a guide speaking English or French, including a game drive through savanna and woodland, a one-hour boat ride on Ihema Lake, lunch, and park entry. Pickup and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city or Kigali International Airport are included. The day runs nine to ten hours with departure in the early morning and return between 18:30 and 20:00.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Akagera National Park tour

• Depart early morning from Kigali
• Visit Imigongo art center and enjoy coffee
• Pass through vibrant local markets
• Register entry permit and start game drive
• See wildlife including giraffes and elephants
• Enjoy a one-hour boat ride on Ihema Lake
• Return to Kigali and drop off

The experience

The tour leaves Kigali in the early morning in a private safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, heading into Akagera National Park for a full-day game drive. You'll encounter giraffes, elephants and other wildlife across the park's savannas and woodlands, moving at a pace your guide sets based on what appears. A stop at an Imigongo art center near the start gives you thirty minutes to walk through local craftsmanship and have coffee before the park itself.

Midway through the day you'll break for lunch in the park, then continue the game drive before heading to Ihema Lake for a one-hour boat ride in the late afternoon. The boat ride offers a different angle on the park's landscape and wildlife. You depart the park between 14:00 and 15:30 for the return drive to Kigali, arriving between 18:30 and 20:00 at your hotel or the airport.

The vehicle carries bottled water and WiFi on board. Your guide speaks English or French and shapes the route to your interests. Park entry, the boat ride, lunch and a soft drink are all included, along with the fuel surcharge and your pickup and drop-off anywhere in the city.

What’s included

• Private transportation and safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
• a guide speaking English or French.
• park entry and the one-hour boat ride on Ihema Lake.
• lunch and a soft drink.
• bottled water and WiFi on board.
• fuel surcharge.
• pickup and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city or Kigali International Airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (19 to 40 years) · Senior (45 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Savvy Tour and Travel Ltd

Is this one for you?The early morning start and nine to ten hour day suit travelers with the stamina for a full safari itinerary. The private vehicle and guide let you set the pace of stops and game-drive routes based on what you want to see.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What wildlife might I see on the game drive in Akagera?

Giraffes and elephants are common. The park also holds buffalo, antelope, zebra, lion and leopard depending on the season and where the game drive takes you. Your guide will navigate the park roads to maximize sightings.

How long is the boat ride on Ihema Lake?

The boat ride lasts one hour and happens in the late afternoon after the game drive, offering a view of the park and its wildlife from the water before the return to Kigali.

What's included in the lunch during the tour?

Lunch and a soft drink are included in the tour price. The meal is eaten in the park during a break in the game drive.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying at the airport or a specific hotel in Kigali?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Kigali city or at Kigali International Airport, so your driver will collect you from your exact location and return you there at the end of the day.

What time does the tour start and when will I return to Kigali?

The tour departs early in the morning from your location in Kigali. You'll leave Akagera between 14:00 and 15:30 and arrive back in Kigali between 18:30 and 20:00, depending on traffic and your drop-off point.