2 Days Akagera national park safari takes to the only Savannah national park in Rwanda for an amazing encounter with Africa’s big five mammals. Akagera National Park covers an area of 1,112 square kilometers. It was established in 1934 by the Belgium government to protect the park animals and the entire Eco-system. The park was named after River Akagera, which flows through the park. The river feeds Lake Ihema, Lake Victoria and other smaller water bodies. Akagera national park is managed by African Parks, who also manage Nyungwe forest national park with other wildlife conservation areas in Africa under special arrangements with governments.
Our 2 Days Akagera wildlife safari starts from Kigali city and takes you to the park. The safari involves game drives and a boat cruise along Lake Ihema. By the end of the 2 Days, expect to have seen Zebras, lions, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, leopards, elephants, spotted hyenas, warthogs, crocodiles, eland, topis, reedbuck, impalas, baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, black-tailed mongoose, bush pigs and buffaloes among other mammals.
Brief Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali and Transfer to Akagera – Morning Game drive – Afternoon boat ride
Depending on your location in Kigali, our safari driver pick you up, brief you about the tour and let you know what to expect. After the briefing, the driver will start the 2-hour journey to Akagera National Park. Expect to pass through beautiful countryside with amazing hills.
Once you arrive at the southern gate of the park, the driver will take you for hotel check-in and registration from the park offices. You will then proceed for the morning game drive with a park Guide. You should expect to see Zebras, Masai Giraffe, leopards, elephants, lions, buffaloes, rhinos and antelopes. The game drive will be short because you need to connect to your lodge for lunch as you prepare for the afternoon boat cruise.
The boat cruise on Lake Ihema is excellent for viewing birds, crocodiles, hippos and also land animals drinking on the shores. Among the bird species to look out for are the Shoebill Stork, kingfishers, fish eagles and cormorants. The boat cruise lasts between 2 to 3 hours after which you will be taken back to your hotel for relaxation and refreshment. Dinner and overnight will be at Ruzizi tented camp (Luxury), Akagera Game Lodge (Mid-range), Akagezi Transit Lodge (Budget).
Day 2: Second Game drive – Departure to Kigali
After early breakfast, check-out of the lodge and meet your driver to connect for an early morning game drive with the park Guide. The park Guide will help with locating the best places to find the mammals.
The game drive on day 2 will be much longer since there will be more time and no activity in the afternoon. It starts from the southern gate of the park all the way to the northern section of the park. This could go on for 6 hours with most of the time spent at the Kilala plains, the Mutumba hills, the “hippo beach”, the vast swamps and along the lake Ihema. This particular area has the greatest concentration of wildlife. In case you missed any of the animals on the first day, this is the time to see them. Expect to see lions, buffaloes, Kobs, hippos, Giraffes, Elephants and all kinds of antelopes with the help of the park Guide.
After seeing most of the park animals, drive out of the park after lunch to head back to Kigali, the driver may make short stops at the Imigongo traditional handcraft makers and the Rusumo waterfall. Expect to reach Kigali late in the afternoon or evening depending whether you have a flight or not.
End of safari
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
TOUR INCLUDES;
- Pick-up and drop off Kigali
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- 4X4 safari vehicle (with popup roof) & Fuel
- Full-time English speaking driver/ guide
- Vehicle entrance fees and boat trip fees
- Bottled mineral water while on safari
- All activities as indicated
TOUR EXCLUDES;
- All optional activities as indicate
- Tips
- Rwanda Visa fees and Air tickets
- All items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, beer, t.c
- Anything else not included in the itinerary