Akagera Wildlife Safari: Private Game Drive & Lake Cruise

A full-day game drive through savannah and wetlands where lions, elephants and rhinos roam the same landscape.

A 2-day safari from Kigali to Akagera National Park with private transportation, professional guide and mid-range lodge stay. Day one includes the scenic drive from Kigali, lodge check-in and a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema to spot hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. Day two is a full-day game drive through the park's savannah, wetlands and woodlands in search of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions and rhinos, followed by return to Kigali. Pickup from your hotel or airport is included, as is all park entry and meals stated in the itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Akagera and sunset cruise

• Pick up from Kigali hotel or airport
• Drive to Akagera National Park
• Stop for photos along the way
• Check into lodge near Akagera
• Sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema
• Return to lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Full-day game drive and return

• Early breakfast at lodge
• Full-day game drive in Akagera
• Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and more
• Learn about Rwanda’s conservation efforts
• Drive back to Kigali
• Drop off at hotel or airport

The experience

Your driver-guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel or the airport and drives you through Rwanda's countryside to Akagera, Rwanda's only savannah park. The route includes stops for photographs along the way. After checking into your lodge near the park, you head to Lake Ihema in the late afternoon for a sunset boat cruise, where hippos, crocodiles and colorful waterbirds appear along the shoreline as light fades across the water. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day two starts before dawn. After breakfast you set out for a full-day game drive with your guide through the park's different habitats (savannah, wetlands and woodland), searching for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions, rhinos and other wildlife. Your guide shares insights about Rwanda's conservation efforts as you move through the park. The drive is long and involves sitting in a vehicle for extended periods, with breaks built in. After the game drive ends, you begin the return journey to Kigali, where you're dropped at your hotel or airport depending on your onward plans.

The private vehicle means you travel at your own pace without sharing the experience with other groups. Your guide speaks English and knows the park well enough to explain what you're seeing and where animals are likely to be found. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the lodge accommodation is mid-range comfort rather than luxury or budget.

What’s included

• Private safari vehicle and professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout.
• Kigali hotel or airport pickup and drop-off.
• Mid-range lodge accommodation for one night.
• Lake Ihema sunset boat cruise.
• Akagera National Park entry fees.
• Breakfast and dinner as stated in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Iriza Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?The full-day game drive on day two means early starts and long hours in the vehicle, which is what allows you to explore multiple habitats and maximize wildlife sightings without rushing between stops. A private vehicle keeps the pace flexible and the experience unshared.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What animals am I likely to see on the game drive at Akagera?

Akagera's savannah, wetlands and woodlands are home to elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, lions and rhinos. The sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema adds hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds to the sightings, though wildlife encounters depend on the season and time of day.

How much driving is involved over the two days?

Day one includes the scenic drive from Kigali to Akagera (roughly two to three hours depending on traffic and photo stops), then the sunset boat cruise. Day two is a full-day game drive through the park with your guide, covering different habitats. The return to Kigali happens after the game drive ends.

Does the price include meals and where do I stay?

Meals as stated in the itinerary are included: breakfast on both days, dinner on day one at the lodge. You stay in a mid-range lodge near Akagera National Park for one night. Park entry fees, bottled water and all transportation are also included.

What's included in the pickup from Kigali?

Hotel or airport pickup in Kigali is included in the tour price. Your driver-guide collects you on day one and drops you back at your hotel or Kigali International Airport on day two, depending on your onward plans.

Is this safari suitable if I have mobility concerns or health conditions?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health, as the game drive involves extended time in a vehicle over rough terrain and the early start requires stamina. It is suitable for all other fitness levels.

What language does the guide speak?

Your driver-guide speaks English and is experienced with wildlife spotting and Rwanda's conservation work.