3 Day Akagera National Park Big Five

Your adventure begins with a morning pick-up from Kigali. The scenic drive to Akagera National Park takes approximately two and a half hours, winding through Rwanda’s “thousand hills” and offering glimpses of local life and cultivated valleys along the way. Upon arrival at the park gate, you will be welcomed by the sweeping savannah views and the sounds of birdlife echoing from the wetlands.

After completing entry formalities, you will embark on your first afternoon game drive. This shorter exploration introduces you to the park’s southern sector, where rolling hills and acacia woodlands host a variety of antelope species, zebras, giraffes, and elephants. With luck, predators such as lions may already be spotted preparing for their evening hunt.

As the sun sets, the park takes on a golden glow, perfect for photography and reflection. You will then proceed to your lodge or tented camp for dinner, where the sounds of the wild serve as your night’s backdrop.

Today is dedicated to a full-day safari adventure across Akagera. With an early breakfast, you set off into the park’s northern savannah plains, the most rewarding area for wildlife viewing. This region is renowned for its concentration of animals and its vast horizons where herds roam freely.

The day’s game drive provides excellent chances to spot the Big Five. Elephants and buffaloes dominate the grasslands, while rhinos, reintroduced to Akagera in a major conservation triumph, may be seen near the bush thickets. Lions, reintroduced in 2015, are often encountered resting under acacias or on the prowl. Leopards remain elusive but are occasionally sighted during daytime.

Your guide will navigate slowly through different habitats, from wooded savannah to open plains, ensuring maximum opportunities for observation and photography. Packed lunches are enjoyed at a scenic spot within the park, allowing you to soak in the wilderness uninterrupted.

In the afternoon, you continue exploring until sunset, when the landscape is bathed in warm hues and wildlife activity peaks once more. Returning to your lodge, you can relax with dinner and share stories of the day’s sightings around the fire or under the stars.

On your final morning, you will experience Akagera from a completely different perspective with a boat safari on Lake Ihema. This serene excursion brings you close to pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and abundant waterbirds, including African fish eagles, herons, and the rare shoebill stork. The reflections of the surrounding hills on the calm waters create a tranquil atmosphere, offering a soothing conclusion to your safari.

After the boat safari, you will enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning the return drive to Kigali. Depending on timing, you may stop en route to visit local markets or cultural centers, enriching your journey with glimpses of daily Rwandan life. Arrival in Kigali is expected in the afternoon, marking the end of your 3-day Akagera Big Five safari adventure.