Akagera Safari from Kigali: Big Five game drive with lunch

Lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo in a single day from Kigali

A private game drive safari from Kigali to Akagera National Park lasting 10 to 15 hours, with pickup from your hotel or home, a professional driver-guide, park entry, lunch and bottled water included. The open-roof 4x4 vehicle puts you at eye level with the Big Five and dozens of other species across the park's lakes and savannah. Depart at 5:30 am and return by 6 or 7 pm the same day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Akagera Big Five Safari Adventure

• Pickup from Kigali accommodation
• Stop at Imigongo Art Center and cafe
• Game drive in Akagera National Park
• Return to Kigali

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Kigali 10m
2. Akagera National Park 6h
3. Kigali passing by

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off anywhere in Kigali.
• professional driver-guide speaking English or French.
• park entry and admission.
• lunch and bottled water throughout the day.
• open-roof 4x4 vehicle or closed car option.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Every day 05:30

Information

Full-day private game drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park with professional guide, park entry and lunch included.

Group Private 2 similar group tours ›

Live guide English and French

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Pickup is included in the price. Ends at a different place from where it starts. When you book, you choose your hotel from 124 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 20 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (18 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.93 ★★★★★ Exceptional 84 verified traveler reviews 96% rated it 5 stars

5 ★ 81

4 ★ 2

3 ★ 0

2 ★ 0

1 ★ 1

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The day starts with pickup from anywhere in Kigali before 5:30 am. Your hotel, a home stay, the airport, or wherever you're staying. The drive to Akagera takes roughly two hours, and halfway there you stop at Imigongo Art Center to stretch, use the washrooms and grab coffee if you want it. Then the park opens up: open-roof 4x4 vehicle, professional guide who speaks English or French, and the entire landscape ahead of you.

The game drive itself is the whole point. You're moving through savannah and around lakes where lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and both black and white rhinos actually live, not behind fences, but in their own terrain. The guide knows where to look and when to stop. Giraffes, zebras, impalas, hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species show up along the way. The open roof means you can stand, photograph, listen to the actual sounds of the park. Lunch happens during the drive, and you have bottled water throughout the day.

You're back in Kigali by 6 or 7 pm, dropped off wherever you started. The whole thing is private (your guide, your vehicle, your pace), so the day moves around what you want to see and how long you want to watch it.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Pickup is included in the price. When you book, you choose your hotel from 124 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 20 minutes before departure.

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I most likely to see on this Akagera safari?

The Big Five (lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos) are the main draw, and the park is known for sightings of all five. You'll also encounter giraffes, zebras, impalas, hippos, crocodiles and a wide range of bird species throughout the day.

Does the price include everything, or are there extra costs?

Park entry, lunch, bottled water, the vehicle, the professional guide and pickup from your Kigali location are all included. Anything not listed (like drinks beyond water or optional purchases at the art center stop) would be separate.

What time do we leave Kigali and when do we get back?

Pickup starts at 5:30 am from your hotel or home in Kigali. The full day lasts 10 to 15 hours, so you return between 6 and 7 pm the same evening.

Is the vehicle open-air, and can I take photographs?

You have the choice of an open-roof 4x4 or a closed vehicle. The open roof puts you at the same level as the wildlife and is ideal for photography and hearing the park's sounds.

How long is the drive from Kigali to Akagera?

The drive takes roughly two hours each way. You stop halfway at Imigongo Art Center to stretch and rest before entering the park.

Operated by Universal Ventures -Gorilla trekking Rwanda-wildlife safari Rwanda-visit Rwanda.. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago