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Wildlife Safaris

1-Day Akagera National Park Safari

Experience Rwanda's only savannah national park on a full-day Big Five game drive from Kigali. See lions, elephants, white rhinos, hippos and 500+ bird species in Akagera National Park.

1 Day (10–12 hours) 1–7 People Easy Akagera National Park, Eastern Rwanda
From $350 / person
Duration1 Day (10–12 hours)
Group Size1–7 People
DifficultyEasy
LocationAkagera National Park, Eastern Rwanda

About This Tour

The 1-day Akagera National Park safari is the perfect wildlife day trip from Kigali. Located just 2.5 hours east of the capital, Akagera is Rwanda's only savannah park and one of Africa's most successful wildlife conservation stories — recently reintroducing both lions (2015) and white rhinos (2017 & 2021) after decades of absence.

Akagera offers a classic East African safari experience: golden savannah, papyrus-fringed lakes, acacia woodland and diverse wildlife. The park is home to the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, white rhino and Cape buffalo), plus hippos, giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, waterbucks, crocodiles, hyenas and over 500 bird species including the rare shoebill stork.

Your day includes a full-day 4×4 game drive with a professional RDB-certified guide, covering the park's diverse habitats from the southern lakes to the northern savannah. An optional boat safari on Lake Shakani adds another dimension to the wildlife experience (extra charge).

This is an excellent option for travellers who have already done gorilla trekking or who want a classic safari experience without the high permit costs of gorilla trekking.

Tour Highlights

Big Five game drive: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo
Over 500 bird species including the rare shoebill stork
Rwanda's only savannah national park — recently reintroduced lions and rhinos
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for photography
Professional RDB-certified wildlife guide throughout
Stunning Lake Shakani and Lake Ihema landscapes
Optional boat safari for hippo and crocodile viewing
Day trip from Kigali — no overnight stay required

What's Included

Included

Akagera National Park entrance fee
Full-day game drive (8 AM – 5 PM)
Private 4×4 Land Cruiser (pop-up roof)
RDB-certified professional wildlife guide
Kigali hotel pick-up and drop-off
Bottled water

Not Included

Meals (packed lunch recommended — restaurants available inside park)
Optional boat safari ($30 per person)
Travel insurance
Gratuities for guide
Personal spending

Tour Itinerary

  • 1
    5:30 AM
    Kigali Hotel Pick-Up
    Early departure from your Kigali hotel for the 2.5-hour drive east to Akagera National Park, passing through Rwanda's beautiful eastern savannah landscape.
  • 2
    8:00 AM
    Enter Akagera National Park
    Arrive at the southern gate. Pay park fees and begin the game drive immediately. The morning hours offer the best wildlife sightings as animals are most active.
  • 3
    8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Morning Game Drive — Lakes & Savannah
    Drive through the southern lake circuit, scanning for hippos in the papyrus, elephants at waterholes, and lions in the acacia woodland. Your guide stops for excellent sightings and photography opportunities throughout.
  • 4
    12:30 PM
    Lunch Break
    Picnic lunch at a scenic lake viewpoint (packed lunch own expense) or at the Akagera Game Lodge restaurant (ask guide for booking).
  • 5
    1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
    Afternoon Game Drive — Northern Savannah
    Continue north through the open savannah where lions, white rhinos, giraffes and large elephant herds are most commonly seen. Optional boat safari on Lake Shakani to see hippos and crocodiles at close range.
  • 6
    5:00 PM
    Exit Park & Drive to Kigali
    Exit through the northern gate and drive back to Kigali, arriving at your hotel approximately 7:30–8:00 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akagera is home to the Big Five: African lions, elephants, white rhinos, leopards and Cape buffalo. You will also see hippos, Nile crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, impalas, topis, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, and over 500 bird species including the shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork and grey crowned crane.
Akagera National Park is approximately 100–120 km from Kigali city centre, a 2.5-hour drive east on tarmac road through Rwanda's beautiful savannah. We depart early (5:30 AM) to arrive at park opening time.
Akagera is excellent year-round. The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) are best for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is lower. The wet seasons are lush and excellent for birdwatching.
Yes — lions were successfully reintroduced to Akagera in 2015 and the population has grown significantly. Rwanda SafariTours guides know the park extremely well and have an excellent success rate locating the lion prides. Rhinos were also reintroduced in 2017.

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