3 days Akagera national park safari : This 3 days Rwanda safari takes you on a visit to Akagera national park one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Rwanda and one of the best places for game drive experiences in East Africa.
Akagera national park is located in the Eastern side of Rwanda close to the border of Rwanda with Tanzania, the park covers an area of 433 square kilometers. Akagera national park is the only savannah national park in Rwanda named after the Akagera River and was founded in 1934, the park is a home to all the Big Five mammals that are lions, cape buffaloes, leopards, elephants and rhinos. There are also other animals such as zebras, hippos, giraffes, warthogs and several antelope species.
Highlights of 3 days Akagera national park safari
- Day 1: Pickup – Kigali city tour – Boat trip at Lake Ihema
- Day 2: full day game drive
- Day 3: morning game drive and departure
Detailed itinerary of 3 days Akagera national park safari
Day 1: Pickup from Kigali – City Tour Transfer to Akagera national park – Boat trip at Lake Ihema
After breakfast at your hotel in Kigali or upon arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be picked up by your safari guide – driver, he will give you a short safari briefing and then embark on a journey to Akagera national park with a short Kigali city tour.
On Kigali city tour visiting the city markets, Kigali genocide museum, the former presidential palace among other sites, after the city tour you will have lunch and then embark on a journey to Akagera national park on a drive of 2 to 3 hours.
Along the way, you will have s brief stop at the yakarambi village where you will learn about the cow dung paintings by the Kakira women cooperative, their unique style of decorating houses using cow dung which intrigues many visitors since it was started by Prince Kakira. Normally the cow dung is first dried and then mixed with different colors from natural materials including plants, the results is a mixture of red and white paintings that are very eye- catching.
On arrival in the park, you will check into your lodge and then go for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema offering opportunities to spot crocodiles, hippos and other animals bathing and drinking from the lake such as the elusive sitatunga (swamp antelope) and waterbucks. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
- Ruzizi Tented Camp(Luxury)
- Akagera Game Lodge(Mid-range)
Meal plan: lunch and dinner
Destination: Akagera national park
Day 2: full day game drive
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the plains of Akagera national park for a full day game drive with picnic lunch, during the game drive you will do a morning game drive, afternoon game drive and night game drive. On the game drives you will enjoy the scenic landscape of the park and as you drive on various trails lookout for animals such as hippos, impalas, warthogs, Topis, Zebras, spotted hyenas, giraffes, buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants and many birds.
Lunch will be set at a picnic site in the open savannah plains to allow you the fascinating and unique experience of dining in the African wilderness, after lunch you will go for an afternoon game drive exploring the park more and spotting more animals and birds. In the evening, you will do a night game drive designed to allow you to spot the nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, mongooses, owls, primates among others using a spot light. Then return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Morning Game drive – Return to Kigali
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park for the last game drive in Akagera national park, after the game drive you exit the park and embark on a journey back to Kigali where you will be dropped off the airport for your departure flight back home.
End of Tour
The Tour Includes
- Park Entrance fees
- Transport in a 4×4 Tour Van
- An English Speaking Driver/Guide
- Park Guide to help locate the best places for game drives
- Full board accommodation (three nights)
- Airport pickup and drop off if required
- Park entrance fees
- 3 Game drive including one for the night
- Boat cruise along Lake Ihema
- All activities included in the itinerary
The Tour excludes
- Anything of a personal nature like tips for hotel staff, porters, alcoholic drinks, telephone calls, laundry and personal insurance.
