Rwanda Group Safari to Akagera: Big Five & Lake Ihema
Spot giraffes, zebras and hippos from an open-roof safari car crossing Akagera's savannahs and wetlands
A group safari through Akagera National Park in Rwanda, departing from a shared pickup and traveling north through open savannahs and wetlands in a custom seven-seat pop-up roof vehicle with a live English or French-speaking guide. The 13-hour day includes park entry, lunch at Lake Mihindi overlooking Tanzania's landscape, bottled water, and emergency evacuation insurance. Suitable for all fitness levels. Children welcome from age 6.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Safari in Akagera National Park
- Travel from Kigali to Akagera
- Explore diverse landscapes
- Spot wildlife including Big Five
- Observe birds by Lake Ihema
- Enjoy scenic views and wildlife
The experience
This is Rwanda's only group safari to Akagera, built for solo travelers and small parties who don't want to book an entire vehicle alone. You join other guests in a seven-seat custom safari car with a pop-up roof. The kind that lets you stand and shoot photos or binoculars without climbing out. The route runs south to north across the park, crossing open savannahs, wetlands and the shores of Lake Ihema where hippos gather. Over 500 bird species live here, including the rare shoebill stork, and the Big Five roam the reserve.
The day spans 13 hours from pickup to drop-off. Your guide speaks English or French and drives the route, stopping where wildlife appears or where the landscape shifts, from grassland to water to acacia woodland. Lunch happens at Lake Mihindi restaurant, where the view opens toward Tanzania. Bottled water comes with you. The park entrance fee, insurance covering emergency air evacuation, and the guide's expertise are all included. No negotiating transport costs with strangers, no empty seats you're paying for, no waiting for a group chat to commit to a date.
What’s included
- Park entrance fees.
- bottled water.
- lunch at Lake Mihindi restaurant.
- emergency air evacuation insurance.
- a custom seven-seat pop-up roof safari vehicle.
- a live guide speaking English or French.
- pickup from your location.
Before you book
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Operated by Akagera Safari
Is this one for you?The shared format means you travel with other guests rather than booking a private vehicle, which keeps the cost low and removes the pressure to gather your own group: ideal for solo travelers or couples who want a safari without the logistics of organizing a full car.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.
What wildlife can I actually expect to see on this Akagera safari?
Akagera is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) plus giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos and over 500 bird species including the rare shoebill stork. The park's conservation success means sightings are genuine, though wildlife moves and no single day guarantees every species.
How does the group safari work if I'm traveling alone?
You share the seven-seat pop-up roof vehicle with other guests booked on the same departure. There's no minimum group size and no pressure to fill seats yourself. The operator runs the safari when enough travelers book, so you travel without arranging a private vehicle or convincing friends to commit.
What happens during the 13 hours? Is it all driving?
The day includes driving through different park landscapes, stops for wildlife viewing and photography, and a lunch break at Lake Mihindi restaurant overlooking the Tanzania border. The guide navigates the route and explains what you're seeing. The pop-up roof lets you stand for better views without leaving the vehicle.
Rwanda Group Safari to Akagera: Big Five & Lake Ihema
13h · EN · FR · at your hotel
from US$ 380 per person
5.004 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider