Explore Akagera National Park in 7 days.

Explore Akagera National Park in 7 days: Akagera National Park carries potion of Rwanda’s conservation story. an exhibit of how to protect wildlife. The park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda, at the border with Tanzania and Uganda. This park  had been greatly impacted by human activity   during and after the 1994 genocide era, but now it has been restored and is a thriving vast savannah environment with several wildlife species including  hundreds of bird species, the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and more.

This 7-day safari to Akagera National Park is a chance to embark on different wildlife activities like birdwatching, game drives, boat safaris, cultural experiences, and leisure, making it great moment for both first-time and experienced safari travelers.
The trip begins and ends in Kigali.

You can decide to embark on a self drive or guided exploration for all the days of your stay in Rwanda’s only savanna park.

Trip highlights.

  • Day 1: Arrival –transfer to Akagera – Night game drive
  • Day 2: Morning game drive (Southern sector) – Ihema boat trip
  • Day 3: Full day game drive (Northern sector)
  • Day 4: Rhino tracking – Sport fishing
  • Day 5: Hot air balloon – relaxation.
  • Day 6: Walk the line experience- relaxed game drive and return to Kigali
  • Day 7: Kigali City tour and departure

Trip details

Day 1: Arrival –transfer to Akagera – Night game drive

At an agreed location, the airport or hotel in Kigali, meet and greet. After breakfast, drive to some important tourism centres in Kigali like the genocide memorial and the vibrant Kimironko market.  Later drive for about 2.5 hours to Akagera national park.  Check in your Lodge on arrival, freshen up, have lunch and relax at the hotel. In the late evening hours, join the park guides and ranger to enjoy a night game drive where you will luckily spot nocturnals like lions, leopards, hyenas and bushbabies among others. Later the drive, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Morning game drive (Southern sector) – Ihema boat trip

After an early morning breakfast at your hotel, this second day of your trip to Akagera day gives you a chance to look out for the animals you were not able to see the previous evening in the park. An early morning drive exposes you to some carnivores returning to their hideouts and the early raisers start grazing. Spend most of your time in the southern sector. Lunch will be at the lodge. In the afternoon, connect to lake Ihema for a boat cruise. You will get to see aquatic animals like the crocodiles, hippos and several water birds like the African fish eagle and cattle egret. After the cruise, enjoy a leisurely sundowner at the lake shores with views of the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 3: Full day game drive (Northern sector)

Get up early and go on a game drive in the northern sector of the park looking forward to seeing the different animals that come out early to feed and the predators that are looking for their breakfast. explore fully this part of the park that is known to have a high concentration of wildlife .
Find a peaceful spot in the jungle to have your picnic lunch and relaxation at a campsite., In the afternoon, return to the park to see the late evening grazers , some drinking at the water sources as others return  to their hideouts.  The most common animals you will spot in this sector include the big five: lions, elephants, leopard, buffalos and white rhinos. others include antelopes, giraffes. zebras, Topis, Impalas, Elands, waterbucks, Oribi and warthogs among others.  Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 4: Rhino tracking – Sport fishing

This is a day to encounter one of the big five, the rhinos at an up-close range. In a group of only four trekkers, join trained rangers in the early morning for this experience. Learn about the park, animal behavior and the conservation efforts, all information from the rangers.

In the afternoon head to lake Shakani for sport fishing. With your own fishing gear and guidance of the local fishermen, go fishing on the lake using the traditional fishing methods.  You may get chance to take your catch for preparation at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the accommodation.

Day 5: Hot air balloon – Night game drive.

Wake up for an early hot air ballon experience as early as 5am. The activity lasts for 1-2 hours as you enjoy the serenity of the park with aerial views. The activity ends with a bush landing for a champagne toast and hot coffee. You will also receive a flight certificate.  you will return to the lodge where you spend the rest of the day as you enjoy views of the surrounding areas.

Optional: Visit the nearby local community, meet the locals and learn about Rwanda’s culture and tradition. participate in activities like music, dance and craftwork. Observe and learn how the natives spend their daily duties.

Day 6: Walk the line experience- relaxed game drive and return to Kigali

After a relaxed breakfast, go for a guided walking safari along the 7-kilometre fence. Its 2 hours hiking experience offering sights of wildlife creatures that can’t be spotted during game drives. After the walk, return to the lodge, check out, have a relaxed game drive as you leave the park to return to Kigali.

 Day 7: Kigali City tour and departure

On the final day of your 7 days safari to Akagera national park, after breakfast, you isit some of the interesting places in Kigali that you missed on the first day. You can visit a craft centre for souvenirs and driving around to see the beaty of the bustling Kigali city. Drop off will be at the airport for your flight back home. End of tour.

Price Includes

  1. Airport Pick up and drop off
  2. All activities as indicated in the itinerary
  3. 4X4 Safari vehicle and fuel
  4. Full-time English-speaking driver guide
  5. Hot air balloon permit ($450)
  6. All accommodation and meals
  7. Night game drives fee ($50)
  8. Park entrance fees
  9. Bottled drinking water while on safari.

Not included:

  1. Air tickets and Visas
  2. Personal Insurance
  3. Optional activities
  4. Personal expenses such as telephone calls, email, laundry, beverages or meals not indicated in the itinerary, and tips to guides and hotel staff.