Rwanda
1 Day Akagera National Park Game Drive Safari
- Duration
- 1 Day
- Price
- From $510 pp
- Group size
- Max 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Overview
Akagera is the only savannah park in Rwanda, two and a half hours east of Kigali on the Tanzanian border, and a single long day is enough to see a good deal of it.
The park nearly disappeared after 1994 and has been brought back over two decades of work with African Parks. Lion were reintroduced in 2015 after a fifteen-year absence, and eastern black rhino in 2017, which made Akagera a Big Five park again. Elephant, buffalo and leopard were already here.
You leave Kigali early and spend the day on a game drive through open plains, papyrus swamp and a chain of lakes, which is a completely different landscape from the forested northwest most visitors see. Alongside the Big Five: giraffe, zebra, hippo, defassa waterbuck and Uganda kob. The birding is exceptional, with over 480 species recorded, and Lake Ihema is one of the more reliable places in the region for shoebill.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Akagera National Park Game Drive Safari
After an early morning breakfast at 5:30 am in Kigali, your driver-guide will pick you up for an early morning at your hotel and head for game drive in Akagera National Park. This is the perfect time to catch sight of both late-night hunters and early risers. During the drive, we will be on the lookout for large mammals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and various species of antelope. We will also have the chance to see the recently re-introduced lions and rhinos. The park’s diverse habitats support a wide range of wildlife and over 500 bird species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. After registration at the park, you will embark on a comprehensive game drive, carrying a packed lunch for the journey. The game drive will last approximately six hours, depending on your interests. Following the game drive, you will exit through the north gate and drive back to Kigali, with an expected arrival around 6:00 pm. Have lunch a picnic lunch in case you packed before your last game drive in the northern part of the park, for more sighting of number of wildlife, before you find your way out of the park exit in the north, arriving in Kigali later that evening, and dropped off at your place of convenience at hotel, or airport. End of service! Meals: Lunch
- Meals:
- Lunch
What Is Included
Included
- Transportation on a 4 x 4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof for game viewing
- Complimentary en route lunch
- Service of a professional English/ French speaking driver guide
- Park entrance fees
- Bottled mineral water during the safari
- Full day Safari Game drive on pop Up safari Vehicle
- Pickup and drop off from Kigali or place near Kigali
- Airport pickup and drop off.
- Lots of fun during the safari
Not Included
- The package excludes expenses of personal nature like: Accommodation
- Air fare
- Visa
- drinks
- laundry
- tips to local guides
- telephone
- personal insurance
- personal shopping bills and cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the 1 Day Akagera National Park Game Drive Safari cost?
- This safari starts from $510 per person. The final price depends on your travel dates, lodge tier, and group size, and every quote is itemized before you commit.
- How long is this safari?
- It runs 1 day. Because every trip is private, we can lengthen, shorten, or add a Zanzibar or gorilla extension to fit your plans.
- Can I customize this itinerary?
- Yes. This itinerary is a starting point. Swap lodges, change the pace, adjust the route, or combine countries, and your planner reshapes it with you before you book.
- When is the best time for this trip?
- June to September and December to February. In the dry months the game concentrates around the lakes, and the boat safari on Lake Ihema is at its best. There are no gorillas here; Akagera is savannah, Big Five country.
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Ready to make 1 Day Akagera National Park Game Drive Safari yours?
Tell us your dates and what you would love to see. The Enclose Africa Safaris team replies within one business day with your personal itinerary proposal, no obligation.