3 Days Akagera National Park Safari
The 3 Days Akagera National Park Safari is an ideal choice for travelers who want a genuine savanna wildlife experience in Rwanda. This itinerary takes you into Akagera National Park, the country’s largest protected wetland-savanna ecosystem, for game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, rewarding you with sightings of elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, rhino and Nile crocodile, alongside a wealth of birdlife.
Trip Snapshot
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Starts / Ends | Kigali |
| Main destination | Akagera National Park |
| Key activities | Game drives, Lake Ihema boat cruise |
| Physical level | Easy |
| Best for | Travelers wanting a classic Big Five savanna safari alongside a Rwanda primate trip |
Safari Highlights
- En-route game drive along the southern Lake Ihema circuit
- Morning game drive with strong predator and rhino sighting potential
- Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
- Optional Kigali city tour on departure
Summary Itinerary
| Day | Overview |
| Day 1 | Transfer to Akagera National Park, game drive |
| Day 2 | Morning game drive and Lake Ihema boat cruise |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Kigali city |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park, Game Drive
Your driver-guide will meet you at your agreed location in Kigali for the transfer to Akagera National Park, with an en-route game drive along the southern Lake Ihema circuit. Look out for elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and crocodile, among other species. Continue to your lodge, arriving in time for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Karenge Bush Camp (Budget), Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range), or Ruzizi Tented Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Ihema Boat Cruise
Rise early for breakfast, then head out for a morning game drive with strong anticipation of spotting animals that rise early to graze, along with predators such as leopard and lion on the hunt. You’ll have good chances of watching herbivores including rhino, elephant, and various antelope grazing across the plains.
Later, embark on a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you’ll see hippo and elephant coming to drink at the water’s edge, Nile crocodile, and a wide range of birdlife, including the endangered shoebill stork, kingfishers and other water birds around the lake and surrounding swamps. After this rewarding day, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Same as previous night
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Kigali City
After breakfast at the lodge, transfer back to Kigali, with an optional city tour if time allows. Drop off at Kigali International Airport if you have a flight to catch, or at your hotel in Kigali, bringing your Rwanda safari to a close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Price Includes
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Safari vehicle with pop-up roof and fuel
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
Safari Price Excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, laundry, beverages, or meals not specified in the itinerary
- Porterage and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Akagera different from Rwanda’s other national parks?
Akagera is Rwanda’s only savanna national park and the sole place in the country offering a classic Big Five game-drive safari, distinct from the mountain and rainforest experiences of Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks.
Can I see rhino in Akagera National Park?
Yes, both black and white rhino have been reintroduced to Akagera as part of an ambitious conservation program, and sightings are possible, though not guaranteed, on game drives.
Is a boat cruise included in this itinerary?
Yes, a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, one of Akagera’s highlights, is included on Day 2, offering close views of hippo, crocodile and water birds including the shoebill stork.
Can this itinerary be combined with gorilla trekking?
Yes, many travelers combine a few days in Akagera with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest for a more complete Rwanda safari.
Book Your 3 Days Akagera National Park Safari
For a genuine Big Five safari experience in Rwanda, this 3-day itinerary makes efficient use of Akagera National Park’s game drives and Lake Ihema boat cruise, an excellent stand-alone trip or addition to a longer Rwanda circuit.
Get in touch to check availability and start planning your 3 Days Akagera National Park Safari.