3 Days Rwanda Safari to Akagera Big Five and Boat Safari
This 3-day Rwanda Safari to Akagera Big Five and Boat Safari takes you around to experience Rwanda’s Wildlife safaris in the savannah grasslands of Akagera National Park. You'll also enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This is a private tour. You will be using your own private 4x4 safari vehicle. Our professional guide will take care of your three-day safari.
Your Rwanda Safari adventure balances exhilarating wildlife encounters with comfortable accommodations at hand-picked lodges nestled in the heart of this pristine conservation area. From the moment you depart Kigali until your final game drive, this journey showcases Rwanda's commitment to wildlife conservation and ecological restoration.
This immersive Rwanda Safari experience is perfect for travelers with limited time but who still desire an authentic East African safari experience. Akagera National park's varied landscapes, from savannah plains to wetlands locally known as "Mihindi," create diverse habitats supporting over 500 bird species and numerous mammals including recently reintroduced lions and rhinos.
Tour highlights
Exclusive night game drive to spot elusive nocturnal creatures
Scenic boat safari on Lake Ihema among hippos and crocodiles
Opportunity to see all Big Five animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo)
Visit to the giraffe-rich southern sector of the park
Spectacular landscapes along the Lakes Road to Birengero
Professional wildlife guide with extensive knowledge of Akagera's ecosystem
Comfortable accommodation with authentic Rwandan hospitality
Convenient transfers to and from Kigali
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies for Akagera National Park
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary (game drives and boat safari)
- Ground transport in custom 4x4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water during transfers and game drives
- Full board accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and fees
- All mentioned activities except optional experiences
Price Excludes:
- Rwanda Visa (available online or on arrival)
- International and internal flights
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional Activities
- Laundry services
- Tips for staff and guides
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks beyond provided water
Itinary in details
- Day1Pick Up from Kigali and Transfer to Akagera National Park
Your Rwanda Safari begins with morning pickup from your Kigali hotel, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive east to Akagera National Park through Rwanda's rolling hills and traditional villages. The Rwanda Safari experience continues as you enter the park through the northern Nyungwe gate, where your initial game drive offers glimpses of zebras and antelopes across the "Kilala Plains." Your afternoon Rwanda Safari schedule includes check-in at your lodge, time to relax by the pool, and an exclusive night game drive where you might spot servals, civets, and hunting lions in the Mutumba Hills region.
- Day2Morning Boat Safari on Lake Ihema in Akagera National Park
Day two of your Rwanda Safari starts with an early breakfast before a short 30-minute drive to the Ihema dock for your 8:00 AM boat safari on Rwanda's second-largest lake. This highlight of your Rwanda Safari brings you face-to-face with massive hippo pods, basking crocodiles, and waterbirds including the rare shoebill stork in the papyrus swamps known locally as "Amashyamba y'Amazi." Your Rwanda Safari continues with an extensive game drive through the southern acacia woodlands where Masai giraffes roam freely, followed by a picnic lunch at the panoramic Kilala Lookout before exploring the eastern boundary's elephant-rich habitats.
- Day3Last Game Drive and Departure
The final day of your Rwanda Safari begins with a sunrise game drive through the central savannah areas, maximizing wildlife viewing opportunities during the animals' most active hours. Your Rwanda Safari guide will focus on tracking any of the Big Five you haven't yet encountered, particularly in the predator-rich Mutumba Hills area approximately 45 minutes from your lodge. As your Rwanda Safari concludes, you'll enjoy a farewell bush breakfast before the 2-hour return journey to Kigali, arriving by mid-afternoon for some souvenir shopping at the Caplaki Crafts Village before your evening departure from Kigali International Airport.