4-Day Wildlife Safari at Akagera National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport or from your hotel or residence, you will be warmly welcomed by your Safaris driver-guide. From here, the journey heads east toward Rwanda’s Eastern Province, home to the scenic Akagera National Park. After completing registration at the park reception, you will proceed to check in at the charming Ruzizi Tented Lodge, a comfortable retreat set within the park. Lunch will be served, giving you time to refresh before beginning your first adventure.

In the afternoon, your driver-guide will lead you on a short game drive through the park’s southern sector. This area offers excellent opportunities to encounter wildlife such as antelopes, zebras, and buffaloes, with the possibility of spotting other mammals grazing across the savannah. The drive introduces you to the park’s landscapes and its thriving ecosystems.

As the day progresses, you will set out for a boat safari on Lake Ihema, one of Akagera’s highlights. The calm waters reveal pods of hippos wallowing near the shore, crocodiles basking along the banks, and a dazzling variety of bird species, including the African darter, kingfisher, cormorant, and the iconic fish eagle. The cruise, lasting about one to one and a half hours, allows you to experience the park from a different perspective and to capture its tranquility at sunset.

After this rewarding excursion, you will return to Ruzizi Tented Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the wild under the African night sky.

After an early breakfast in Akagera National Park, your driver-guide will take you on a full-day game drive, equipped with a packed lunch to maximize your time in the wilderness. The day will be spent traversing diverse landscapes in search of iconic wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, rhinos, lions, and an impressive variety of bird species. At midday, your guide will select a scenic picnic spot where you can enjoy lunch surrounded by the beauty of the savannah, with wildlife often visible in the distance. The exploration continues throughout the afternoon as you slowly make your way back toward the lodge, capturing new sightings and memorable moments along the way.

As night falls, the adventure deepens with a night game drive, offering the rare chance to observe nocturnal creatures that remain hidden during the day. With the aid of spotlights, you may encounter elusive leopards, aardvarks, jackals, porcupines, genets, pangolins, owls, and nightjars. The atmosphere of the park at night is entirely different, filled with mystery and anticipation. After this thrilling experience, you will return to Ruzizi Tented Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, accompanied by the tranquil sounds of nature under the starry African sky.

After breakfast, your Lion Safaris driver-guide will lead you on a morning game drive through the southern section of Akagera National Park. This excursion offers the chance to appreciate the park’s scenic landscapes while observing wildlife such as zebras grazing on the plains, antelopes moving gracefully through the grasslands, and a variety of colorful bird species. Following the drive, you will return to your lodge to enjoy lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon, the experience expands beyond the park as you are taken to engage with local communities nearby. Here, you will be welcomed into the rhythm of daily life and have the opportunity to participate in traditional activities. You may learn to milk cows by hand, discover the process of brewing banana and sorghum beer, or join in the collection of honey from traditional beehives. The cultural exchange continues with lively sessions of traditional Rwandan dancing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the joy and heritage of the community.

After this enriching cultural encounter, your driver-guide will return you to Ruzizi Tented Lodge, where dinner awaits, followed by a peaceful overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.

After enjoying a late breakfast, your driver-guide will take you on a brief game drive near the park reception, offering one last opportunity to spot additional wildlife and bird species before concluding your safari. You will then return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon, you will begin the drive back to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at your hotel, residence, or directly at Kigali International Airport for your onward flight. Depending on the timing of your departure, it may be possible to return to Kigali without the morning game drive.