Akagera National Park Safari: Big 5 Game Drive & Cruise

Hippos and crocodiles surface during the boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you'll also spot the rare shoebill stork.

A full-day safari from Kigali to Akagera National Park combines a game drive across savanna grasslands hunting the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos—with a boat cruise on Lake Ihema to watch hippos, Nile crocodiles and bird species including the shoebill stork. Your English-speaking guide picks you up from your hotel at 5 a.m., handles park registration at headquarters, and returns you to Kigali by evening. The tour includes private transportation, park entry, lunch and bottled water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day safari in Akagera National Park

• 5:00 am pick up from hotel
• Drive to Akagera National Park
• 7:30 am park registration
• Game drive to see Big Five
• 2:00 pm boat cruise on Lake Ihema
• Observe hippos, crocodiles, birds
• Explore diverse park landscapes
• 5:00 pm exit park and drive back

The Experience

The day starts before dawn. Your guide collects you from your hotel at 5 a.m. and drives through farmland and local markets toward Akagera, arriving at park headquarters by 7:30 a.m. for registration. From there the game drive begins across open savanna grasslands where lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos move through acacia woodlands and wetland areas. You stay in the vehicle throughout, scanning the landscape for movement and using binoculars to track animals at distance.

At 2 p.m. you leave the savanna for Lake Ihema, where a boat cruise takes you across water thick with hippos and Nile crocodiles. The lake is also a stronghold for bird species—African fish eagles, herons and the rare shoebill stork, a massive wading bird with a bill like a wooden clog. The afternoon continues with further exploration of the park's mixed terrain before the drive back to Kigali begins around 5 p.m.

The tour runs 5 to 10 hours depending on wildlife sightings and traffic returning to the city. Private transportation means no shared vehicle or group waiting; your guide speaks English or French. Lunch and bottled water are provided. Wear long sleeves, a hat and neutral colors—browns and greens—to avoid startling animals, and bring sunscreen and insect repellent. The park lies in Rwanda's east where June through August temperatures hover around 27°C (81°F).

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Kigali hotel.
• Akagera National Park entry fees.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• lunch and bottled water.
• park registration at headquarters.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Silverbird Tours Agency

Is this one for you?Choose this tour to see both savanna and wetland wildlife in one day—the game drive targets the Big Five across open plains, then the Lake Ihema boat cruise adds hippos and crocodiles in a different habitat.

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Top questions

What are the Big Five animals I might see on the game drive?

The Big Five in Akagera are lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. The park also holds hyenas, giraffes, antelopes and warthogs, plus a range of indigenous and migratory bird species across the savanna and wetland areas.

How much time do I spend on the boat cruise on Lake Ihema?

The boat cruise happens around 2 p.m. and lasts long enough to observe hippos, Nile crocodiles and bird species including the rare shoebill stork and African fish eagles. The exact duration depends on wildlife activity and sightings that day.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation from your Kigali hotel, Akagera National Park entry fees, an English or French-speaking guide, lunch and bottled water throughout the day.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup from your hotel is at 5 a.m., park registration happens at 7:30 a.m., and the return drive to Kigali begins around 5 p.m., making the full day roughly 5 to 10 hours depending on wildlife sightings and traffic.

What should I wear and bring for the safari?

Wear long sleeves, a safari hat and neutral colors like browns and greens to avoid startling wildlife. Avoid black, blue and bright patterns. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent and sunglasses. You'll be seated in the vehicle for most of the day, so comfortable clothing matters.

Is this tour suitable if I have health concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health due to the vehicle travel and extended time seated. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available.