3 Days Akagera Wildlife Safari Rwanda

Safari highlights

• Multiple game drives in different sectors of the park
• Boat trip on Lake Ihema
• All of the Big Five are present, though leopards are elusive
• Optional night drive
• Excellent birding in wetlands and savannah

Itinerary route map

1. Kigali
2. Akagera National Park

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01
   Day 1 Kigali to Akagera National Park and afternoon game drive

   You are collected from your Kigali hotel in the morning for the drive east to Akagera National Park, which takes about two to two and a half hours. The route passes villages, eucalyptus plantations and open farmland. As you near the park, the vegetation changes to acacia savannah, and you may see your first wildlife from the road.

   After arriving, you check in at your lodge or camp for lunch and a short rest. The park covers about 1,100 square kilometres of savannah, lakes and wetlands, and is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, lions and black rhinos, which were reintroduced in recent years. The lodge or camp is set within the park, so the sounds of the savannah are never far away.

   In the late afternoon you set out on a game drive, which is the best time to see animals as temperatures cool. Your guide follows tracks through the plains and along the lakeshores, and you may stop at a viewpoint to watch the sun set over the savannah. You return for dinner and an overnight stay.

2. 02
   Day 2 Full day in Akagera National Park

   Begin the day with an early morning game drive, when animals are active and the light is perfect for photography. Your guide searches for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo, and you may also see topis, impalas, waterbuck and baboons. Akagera's recovery over the past decade has made wildlife viewing here very rewarding.

   After breakfast and a rest at the lodge, you head to Lake Ihema for a boat trip. The lake is home to a large population of hippos and Nile crocodiles, and its shoreline is a haven for birds including fish eagles, pelicans and kingfishers. The boat allows you to see animals from a different perspective.

   In the afternoon you can take another game drive or relax at the lodge. After dinner, you may join an optional night drive in search of nocturnal animals such as genets, civets, hyenas and bushbabies. Spotlights are used to find eyeshine in the dark, and your guide explains the behaviour of the animals you see.

3. 03
   Day 3 Akagera to Kigali

   Rise early for a final morning game drive, which offers another chance to look for lions, elephants, rhinos or any species you may have missed. The cool air and soft light make this a peaceful and photogenic time. You return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast afterwards. Remember to keep your camera ready, because even the final hour in the park can deliver surprises.

   After checking out, you leave the park and begin the drive back to Kigali. The journey takes about two to two and a half hours, passing villages, eucalyptus woodlots and farmland. Your guide can suggest a stop for fruit, snacks or crafts if you wish. The road is smooth, and the journey is relaxed, with plenty of chances to take photographs of village life.

   You arrive in Kigali in the afternoon, in time for your departure or for a hotel transfer. Your driver-guide helps with luggage and confirms any final arrangements. You leave with memories of Akagera's wide plains, shining lakes and the wildlife that has returned to them. Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rwanda soon for another adventure.