Private Akagera Game Drive from Kigali: Full-Day Wildlife Tour

Six hours in Akagera watching wildlife move across woodland, swamps and savannah

A private full-day game drive in Akagera National Park, departing from Kigali with an experienced English or French-speaking guide, includes hotel pickup, lunch, bottled water and park entry fees. The tour spends six hours on game drives through eastern Rwanda's varied terrain (woodland, swamps, low mountains and open savannah), where you watch zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and hundreds of bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. Lake Ihema in the south holds hippos and crocodiles. The full day runs nine to twelve hours door-to-door.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Akagera National Park tour

• Drive from Kigali to coffee shop
• Breakfast and view local art
• Drive to Akagera National Park
• Six-hour game drive in park
• Drive back to Kigali

The experience

Akagera National Park lies in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzania border, and the drive from Kigali takes ninety minutes each way. On the way out, you stop at a coffee shop for breakfast and can order a packed lunch if you prefer. The place also sells art from local artists. Once in the park, you spend six hours on game drives with your guide, moving through the varied terrain that makes Akagera different from other African reserves: the woodland, swamps and low mountains create pockets where different species gather, and the guide knows where to find them.

The park's wildlife includes zebras, giraffes, elephants and lions across the open areas, with hundreds of bird species moving through the trees. The shoebill stork, a rare wading bird, draws birders from across the region. Lake Ihema spreads across the southern section, where hippos and crocodiles spend their days in and around the water. Your guide is experienced and speaks English or French, and the tour is private, so the pace and stops follow what you want to see rather than a fixed schedule.

Transportation is included (pickup and drop-off at your Kigali hotel) along with lunch during the day and bottled water. The route is wheelchair accessible, and the park surfaces accommodate mobility devices. The full day from hotel to hotel runs between nine and twelve hours depending on traffic and how long you linger at sightings.

What’s included

• Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• lunch during the day.
• bottled water.
• experienced English or French-speaking guide.
• Akagera National Park entry fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kigali Atlantis Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want the pace and stops to follow what you want to see rather than a fixed group schedule, and if you're comfortable with a full day, nine to twelve hours door-to-door, to reach the park and spend six hours on game drives.

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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 (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on the Akagera game drive?

Akagera holds zebras, giraffes, elephants and lions across its woodland and savannah. Lake Ihema in the south is home to hippos and crocodiles. The park is also known for hundreds of bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, a large wading bird that draws dedicated birders.

How much time do I spend actually driving and watching wildlife?

You spend six hours on game drives inside Akagera National Park itself. The full day door-to-door runs nine to twelve hours, which includes the ninety-minute drive each way from Kigali, a breakfast stop on the way out, and lunch during the day.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay separately?

The tour includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, bottled water, guiding fees and park entry. You don't pay separately for any of those.