About this experience
The perfect Rwanda safari if you have just one day. Just 2.5 hrs from Kigali with a 30-minute comfort stop, Akagera is one of the few parks in Africa where you can see all the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffaloes in a single day. Most visitors see only four because the leopard hunts mostly at night and is rarely spotted during the day.
This full-day safari starts at 05:00, and you are back at your hotel by 19:00, or at the airport by 18:00 just in time for most international flights.
Arrive at the park at 8:30 AM with priority entry, bypassing the line. The day begins with a morning boat safari followed by a game drive, two different ways of exploring the park that increase your odds of spotting wildlife.
Mornings are spent in the south, characterized by shrubland and woodland, where sightings cluster around game drive tracks and the lakeshore. Afternoons move north, where wildlife, particularly predators are more concentrated and visibility is unhindered
At a glance
- Duration: 13 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 13 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Water is provided through the tour. The safari car has a fridge. Feel free to stock it up with your favorite beverages and snacks
- Pop-up roof safari car - Round-trip transport from Kigali
- Lunch
- Driver guides fees
- Akagera national Park Certified guide
- Boat safari fees
- Mandatory Insurance (Akagera Air Emergency Evacuation)
- Park entrance fees
Not included
- Beverages and snacks consumed at comfort stops to and from the park
- Coffees and other beverages during lunch. Lunch is served with a soft drink
Itinerary and highlights
Explore Akagera National Park, where you'll spot towering giraffes, bold zebras, and plenty of antelopes roaming the open plains. Drive along the Akagera River—one of the Nile’s most hidden sources—and catch sight of massive hippos lounging in the water. Keep an eye out for lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, baboons, crocodiles, bushbucks, and the ever-graceful impalas.
Stretching along Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, this mix of savannah, rolling hills, and wetlands is packed with wildlife. A safari here is an unforgettable way to experience the country’s incredible nature up close.
Meeting and pickup information
- We will meet you early in the morning at the hotel lobby. For those in Airbnb or other residential accommodations in Kigali, keep an eye out for a green pop-up roof safari parked outside. Your driver-guide always texts to let you know he has arrived. He will be easily identifiable in a khaki uniform, featuring the Akagera Safari logo.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- French — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Akagera Safari
Accessibility and practical details
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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