One Day Akagera Safari from Kigali: 6 hours game drive

A full day in the African bush: drive, wildlife, lunch by the lake, and back to Kigali

The One Day Akagera Wildlife Safari is a full-day tour from Kigali to Rwanda's only savannah park, with 6 hours of game drive in a 4×4 vehicle, a professional driver-guide, lunch at Lake Mihindi, and hotel or airport drop-off. The tour departs early morning and returns the same day, covering the drive, park entry, wildlife viewing, and a meal break in one itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Akagera Wildlife Safari

• Morning pick-up in Kigali
• Drive to Akagera National Park
• Stop at Imigongo Art Center for coffee and snacks
• Arrive and clear park reception
• Game drive in Akagera National Park
• Lunch break at Lake Mihindi
• Continue game drive in the park
• Drive back to Kigali for drop-off

The experience

Your day starts with pickup anywhere in Kigali (hotel, airport, or a meeting point on the way), and a scenic 2.5 to 3 hour drive east through Rwanda's countryside to Akagera National Park. Along the route, your Afri Safaris driver-guide shares details about the landscape and local culture. You'll stop for 15 minutes at the Imigongo Art Center in Kayonza for coffee, restrooms, and a look at local handcrafts before continuing to the park.

Once you clear the park reception, the game drive begins. Six hours in the African bush means time to spot wildlife in their natural habitat: the animals move at their own pace, and so does the vehicle. You're traveling in a 4×4 with either a pop-up roof or fixed roof, depending on which option you book, and the vehicle carries Wi-Fi and charging ports so you can stay connected and keep your camera powered. Your guide reads the landscape and the animal behavior, stopping when there's something to watch and moving on when the moment passes.

Midday, you break for lunch at Lake Mihindi's picnic area. You choose from a hot meal menu or bring a packed lunch, and the vehicle carries cool beverages and fresh water in reusable bottles. The lake sits within the park, so the break is part of the safari itself, not a step outside it. After lunch, the drive continues until late afternoon, when you head back toward Kigali. Drop-off happens at your hotel or airport, arriving in the evening after a full day in the park.

What’s included

• Park entry to Akagera National Park.
• 6 hours of game drive with a professional driver-guide speaking English or French.
• the 4×4 safari vehicle with Wi-Fi and device charging.
• pickup and drop-off anywhere in Kigali or at the airport.
• a 15-minute stop at the Imigongo Art Center for coffee and restrooms.
• hot lunch of your choice at Lake Mihindi with cool beverages and fresh water.
• and the option to add a boat safari on Lake Ihema depending on which tour option you select.

Options for this experience

5 options

Safari using a 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roofUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00Full-day safari game drive: Led by passionate local experts, you'll enjoy thrilling, close-up wildlife encounters. World-class: Book your unforgettable safari in Akagera National Park today! Duration: 13 hours. Lunch, water and beverages: a hot lunch of your choice from the food menu at Lake Mihindi (picnic area). Kigali - Kayonza - Akagera NP. 4x4 Pop-Up roof safari vehicle: Track the Big Five in a luxury 4x4 with a Pop-Up roof, offering 360° views, Wi-Fi, charging and chilled drinks. Park entrance fee excluded. Pickup is included.

Safari car (without a Pop-Up roof)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00Full-day safari game drive: Track the Big Five from a comfortable safari car (without a Pop-Up roof) with Wi-Fi, charging and chilled drinks. World-class: Led by passionate local experts, you'll enjoy thrilling, close-up wildlife encounters and capture memories that last in Akagera. Duration: 13 hours. Lunch, water and beverages: a hot lunch of your choice from the food menu at Lake Mihindi (picnic area). Kigali - Kayonza - Akagera NP: this option includes a 4WD safari car (without a Pop-Up roof). Park entrance fee excluded. Pickup is included.

Akagera Shared SafariUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English or French · 5 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 06:00Shared safari: Looking for an exciting shared Akagera safari? Join our daily small-group departure, with pickup in Kigali or along the way. Standard or small group: Designed for solo travellers, couples and budget-conscious adventurers. Park entry fees are not included. Duration: 14 hours. Lunch, water and beverages: a hot lunch of your choice from the food menu at Lake Mihindi (picnic area). Kigali - Kayonza - Akagera NP. 4x4 safari car or Pop-Up roof: Track the Big Five in a comfortable 4x4 SUV; groups of 3-7 can upgrade to a luxury Pop-Up roof safari vehicle with 360° views. Booking confirmation: Solo bookings are confirmed once another traveller joins, while bookings for two or more are confirmed immediately. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Safari that is all-inclusive, without a boatUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00Full-day safari game drive: Park entry is included! Track the Big Five in Akagera National Park from a luxury 4x4 with a Pop-Up roof, offering 360° views, Wi-Fi and charging. World-class: Led by expert locals, you'll enjoy thrilling, close-up wildlife encounters! Duration: 13 hours. Lunch, water and beverages: a hot lunch of your choice from the food menu at Lake Mihindi (picnic area). Kigali - Kayonza - Akagera NP. 4x4 Pop-Up roof safari vehicle: Track the Big Five in Akagera National Park from a luxury 4x4 with a Pop-Up roof, offering 360° views, Wi-Fi, charging and chilled drinks. Pickup is included.

All-inclusive safari, boat includedUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · 05:00, 05:15 and 05:30Boat ride and park entry fee: Lake Ihema boat safari and park entry are included! World-class: Led by passionate local experts, you'll enjoy thrilling, close-up wildlife encounters in Akagera National Park. Duration: 14 hours. Lunch, water and beverages: a hot lunch of your choice from the food menu at Lake Mihindi (picnic area). Kigali - Kayonza - Akagera NP. 4x4 Pop-Up roof safari vehicle: Track the Big Five in a luxury 4x4 with a Pop-Up roof, offering 360° views, Wi-Fi, charging and chilled drinks. All included in this option: a boat ride, park entry ($100 per person) and a 4WD Pop-Up roof safari vehicle. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Afri Safaris

Is this one for you?Book the All-Inclusive option with the boat if you want the full park experience in one day: the boat adds a different vantage on the wildlife and the lake itself. Choose the pop-up roof vehicle if photography is your priority. The fixed-roof car is lighter and costs less. The shared safari option keeps the cost down if you're comfortable with other travelers. A private vehicle gives you the whole day and the guide's attention to yourself.

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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 (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

How long is the actual game drive in Akagera National Park?

The game drive lasts 6 hours once you enter the park, after clearing reception. That time is spent driving through the savannah with your guide, watching for wildlife and stopping when animals appear.

What's included in the lunch at Lake Mihindi?

Lunch at Lake Mihindi includes a hot meal of your choice from a food menu, or a packed lunch option if you prefer. The vehicle also carries cool beverages and fresh water throughout the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Kigali to the park?

No. Pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Kigali City or at Kigali airport. The 2.5 to 3 hour drive to Akagera is part of the tour, and you return to your hotel or airport the same evening.

What's the difference between the pop-up roof and the fixed-roof safari vehicles?

Both are 4×4 vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi and charging ports. The pop-up roof version allows you to stand and shoot photos or video with a clearer view, while the fixed-roof car is a standard safari vehicle. You choose which one at checkout.

Is the boat safari on Lake Ihema included, or is it an add-on?

The boat safari is optional. Some tour options include it. Others do not. Check which option you're booking to see whether the boat is part of your day or available as an upgrade.

What wildlife might I see on the game drive?

Akagera is Rwanda's savannah park and home to a range of African wildlife. Your guide will navigate the bush looking for animals in their natural habitat, but sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit. The guide knows where to look, but wildlife moves on its own schedule.