Akagera Safari from Kigali: Full-day Big Five game drive

Akagera's south-to-north traverse, the Big Five, a lake crossing, and lunch in the savannah

A full-day private safari from Kigali into Akagera National Park, Rwanda's premier game reserve, guided by a local expert in a 4×4 vehicle on a rare south-to-north traverse. You search for the Big Five, giraffes, zebras and over 500 bird species across savannahs, woodlands and lake shores. Lunch is prepared fresh at the park and eaten as a scenic picnic. An optional one-hour boat ride on Lake Ihema lets you spot hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds from the water. The tour includes pickup and drop-off in Kigali, park entry, bottled water and all taxes. The total day runs 12 to 15 hours including travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Akagera National Park safari

• Pickup in Kigali and drive to Akagera
• Rest stop at Imigongo Art Center
• Enter Akagera and start game drive
• Optional boat cruise on Lake Ihema
• Lunch at park restaurant picnic
• Afternoon game drive in Akagera
• Return drop-off in Kigali

The experience

Akagera National Park sits two hours from Kigali by road. The day starts with pickup at your hotel or preferred location in the city, followed by a scenic drive through Rwanda's countryside to the park entrance. On the way, you stop at Imigongo Art Center to rest, grab breakfast or a warm drink, and browse local handcrafted African art: a chance to ease into the day before the wildlife begins.

Once inside Akagera, you traverse the park from south to north in a private 4×4, a rare full-park route that makes this a premier one-day safari. Your guide, a seasoned local expert, navigates savannahs, dramatic hills and lake shores while you watch for the Big Five, zebras, giraffes and rare birds from a pool of over 500 species. The pace is tailor-made: you stop for photos whenever a moment presents itself, and your guide shares insider stories about the park's ecosystems and animal behaviors. Midday, a freshly prepared hot meal is cooked to order at the park restaurant and served as a scenic picnic in the heart of the reserve. The afternoon safari continues deeper into Akagera's contrasting habitats, giving you a second chance to track any elusive wildlife you haven't yet spotted.

If you choose the optional boat ride, you spend one hour on Lake Ihema, Rwanda's second-largest lake, gliding along tranquil rift-valley waters for up-close encounters with pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking on the banks, and an array of waterbirds. You might even catch wild elephants coming down to the shoreline to drink and cool off. After the day's wildlife encounters, you're dropped off at your preferred location in Kigali: your hotel, Airbnb or the airport.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or French.
• park entry fee.
• transportation in a private 4×4 vehicle.
• bottled water.
• lunch prepared fresh at the park.
• pickup and drop-off in Kigali.
• all taxes and tour assistance.

Options for this experience

4 options

Safari vehicle with a closed roofUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · 7 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 08:00Full-day safari, 12 hours, with lunch, 4WD modified Landcruiser, bottled water, pickup is included

Safari car with a pop-up roofUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · No fixed timeFull-day game drive, 12 hours, with lunch and bottled water, pop-up roof safari car, pickup is included

All InclusiveUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or French · No fixed timePark entry fee included ($100), 12 hours, with lunch, safari car, pickup is included

Fully inclusive package with a boat rideUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or French · 9 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 09:00Boat ride, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (2 to 3 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Vista Safaris

Is this one for you?The south-to-north traverse is what makes Akagera a full-park experience in a single day. You cover ground most one-day safaris miss, and the optional boat ride adds a second habitat and a different angle on the wildlife. Book this if you want to see as much of the park as one day allows and don't mind a full schedule to do it.

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: Child (2 to 3 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What vehicles are available for this safari?

You can choose between a pop-up roof safari car for open-air viewing, or a standard safari car with a non-open roof. Both are 4×4 vehicles designed for game viewing and park terrain.

What is the Big Five, and will I see all of them?

The Big Five are lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros: the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, and the most sought-after sightings on African safaris. Akagera is home to all five, but wildlife sightings depend on animal movement and behavior on the day you visit. Your guide will use their expertise to track them, though no sighting is guaranteed.

How long is the boat ride on Lake Ihema, and what wildlife might I see?

The optional boat ride lasts one hour on Lake Ihema. You'll spot hippos, Nile crocodiles, waterbirds and possibly wild elephants coming to the shoreline to drink.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included and freshly prepared to order at the park restaurant. You eat it as a scenic picnic in the heart of Akagera, surrounded by the savannah and the day's wildlife encounters.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup happens in Kigali in the morning, and the full day (including travel time to and from the park) runs 12 to 15 hours. You're dropped off at your preferred Kigali location at the end of the day.

Is this safari suitable for people with back or spine problems?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries due to the terrain and vehicle movement during the game drive. It is suitable for all other physical fitness levels.