Rwanda
1-Day Akagera Big Five Wildlife Safari
Diverse Beauty
From
$620 PP
Duration
Full-Day Experience
Pickup
Kigali
Best Time
1 january to 28 February
This immersive one-day safari takes you deep into Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, home to the famed Big Five and one of the most scenic landscapes in East Africa. Begin your journey before dawn and enjoy a guided boat safari on Lake Ihema, where birdlife flourishes along lush papyrus-fringed shores. Then continue with a full-day game drive across varied terrain — from open plains to swamps — spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and more. Ideal for travelers short on time but eager for a rich safari experience, this tour delivers wildlife, comfort, and natural beauty in one unforgettable day.
Highlights
Spot Africa’s iconic Big Five — lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, and buffalo — on an expertly guided game drive through Akagera National Park.
Enjoy a peaceful boat safari on Lake Ihema, with sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and exotic bird species like the shoebill stork and papyrus gonolek.
Convenient round-trip transfer from Kigali, complete with lunch, refreshments, and a private safari vehicle for a seamless full-day adventure.
Itinerary: 1-Day Safari
05:00 – Early morning pickup from your Kigali hotel. Drive toward Akagera National Park with a brief restroom and snack stop at Imigongo Art Center.
08:00 – Arrive at Akagera’s southern gate. Complete park entry formalities and receive a briefing from the park warden.
09:00 – Begin your guided boat ride on Lake Ihema, a birdwatcher’s paradise and prime spot for hippos and crocodiles. Look out for the rare shoebill stork and papyrus gonolek.
10:30 – Rejoin your guide for a game drive through the park. Explore the giraffe area in the south, and follow the lakeside route to the northern exit. Wildlife may include:
- Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo)
- Giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, oribi, tsessebe, waterbuck
- Over 450 species of birds
13:00 – Enjoy a hot lunch at Lake Mihindi Restaurant, inside the park.
17:00 – Exit the park through the north gate.
20:00 – Arrive in Kigali and drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Tour Pricing (Per Person in USD)/ 2025
Group Size
1 Person
2 People
3 People
4 People
5 People
6 People
International / African Guests
$620
$510
$435
$410
$390
$370
Foreign Residents
$570
$460
$395
$360
$340
$320
EA & Rwandan Citizens
$530
$425
$360
$315
$295
$285
What's Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- Private 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Expert English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to Akagera National Park
- Lake Ihema boat ride with guide
- Lunch at Lake Mihindi Restaurant
- Bottled mineral water & refreshments
- Emergency medical evacuation cover
- 24/7 on-call assistance
What's Excluded
- Optional activities within Akagera
- Additional drinks not specified
- Personal expenses (e.g., tips, insurance, minibar, calls)
- Tips & gratuities (Suggested: $5–10 per person, optional)
Travel Information – Kenya & Rwanda
Tipping Tipping is not compulsory but always enthusiastically received if you are happy with the service and would like to tip. There are no set percentages for tips. Local culture believes the level of tips should be at the discretion of the client and any token of appreciation is gladly received. These are our suggestions: we recommend that you tip your guide directly at the end of your tour; as a rough guideline, you might want to tip from US$ 20 per person/day.
Wildlife Photography
- Animals don’t stop for selfies, so be quick on the finger! ● Avoid getting too close, some animals are dangerous and in the wild – uncontrollable. ● Experiment at home in the garden and with the cat or dog to learn how your camera works and perfect your technique. ● For instance which is the anti-motion, or motion button? Does it have a landscape function? What sort of zoom range does it have? How do you set it to manual and change the aperture and shutter speed? ● Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance – loud talking on game drives or treks can frighten the wildlife away. ● Early morning and evening game drives offer exceptional lighting opportunities. ● don’t be in a hurry to cover the most distance, stay in a well set up position for a while – you’ll be amazed by what may enter your frame. ● most importantly, be sure to enjoy the whole view – not just the one from behind your lens. Stop and look around every once in a while!
Safety
Most areas are as safe as any other destination in the world, however, basic common-sense precautions should be used:
- Ask the concierge at your hotel which areas are safe to walk around in and when ● Travel in groups or pairs and always choose well-lit areas ● Carry only as much cash as necessary ● Don’t leave your property unattended ● Don’t draw attention to yourself by flaunting valuables around openly or counting your cash at the ATM ● Carry a copy of your passport/ ID in a separate section of your luggage
What to bring on safari
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent Sunglasses
- Camera (with extra memory card and batteries)
- Binoculars
- Lip balm
- Hand wipes
- Wildlife checklist (or just paper) and a pen
Please use the form below for bookings or questions
Voices of the Journey: Gorilla African Tours Reviews
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Our expertly curated tours and safaris ensure you experience the essence of each destination, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Africa offers it all, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
