5-Day Akagera Big Five Safari & Boat Experience

Safari Overview

This 5-day safari focuses entirely on Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park, known for its Big Five and scenic lakes. Akagera is one of Africa’s most beautiful and underrated national parks, offering the chance to spot elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, and leopards—the Big Five all within a stunning landscape of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and papyrus swamps. This safari combines intensive game drives with a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema, offering both land and water perspectives on this remarkable ecosystem. Whether you’re a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned traveller, Akagera delivers wildlife, beauty, and adventure.

Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Akagera – Afternoon game drive

• Day 2: Full-day game drive – Savannah, woodland & lake shores

• Day 3: Big Five tracking safari – Predator focus

• Day 4: Lake Ihema boat safari – Afternoon game drive

• Day 5: Final morning game drive – Return to Kigali

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Akagera National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

Your safari begins with a morning pickup from your Kigali hotel. After a brief introduction and orientation, you depart for Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border. The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, passing through Rwanda’s rolling hills, rural villages, and scenic countryside. The views are breathtaking green hills, terraced farmlands, and the distant outline of the park.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, with views overlooking the park and the nearby lakes. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive across the savannah. This introductory drive will give you a taste of Akagera’s wildlife giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and elephants. As the sun sets over the rolling plains, you’ll appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of Rwanda’s only savannah reserve.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera

Wake early for a full day of game driving across Akagera’s diverse habitats open savannah, acacia woodlands, and lake shores. Morning and afternoon game drives are designed to maximize your chances of spotting the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants.

During the day, you may encounter:

• Elephants

• Buffaloes

• Lions (reintroduced in 2015, now thriving)

• Leopards

• Giraffes

• Zebras

• Antelopes (impala, waterbuck, bushbuck, topi)

• Over 480 bird species

Your guide will navigate the park’s tracks, adjusting the route based on wildlife movements and recent sightings. Break for lunch at the lodge or enjoy a picnic within the park for uninterrupted wildlife viewing. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Big Five Tracking Safari – Predator Focus

Today focuses on predator and Big Five tracking with an experienced guide. You’ll travel deeper into remote areas of the park, where wildlife sightings are less disturbed and the chances of encountering the Big Five are higher.

Rhinos were reintroduced to Akagera in 2017 after being wiped out in the 1980s. Today, a small but growing population of black rhinos roams the park, protected by dedicated anti-poaching teams. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and are now breeding successfully. Leopards, though elusive, are regularly spotted along the riverine areas.

Your guide will share insights into the conservation efforts that have successfully restored Akagera’s ecosystem—one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories. Learn about the collaboration between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board, which has transformed Akagera into a safe haven for wildlife.

This is a day of immersion, patience, and reward. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Boat Safari on Lake Ihema – Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, head to the shores of Lake Ihema, the park’s largest lake, for a relaxing boat safari. This water-based experience offers a completely different perspective on Akagera’s wildlife. As you glide across the tranquil waters, you’ll encounter:

• Hippos grunting and splashing in the shallows

• Nile crocodiles basking on the muddy banks

• Fish eagles diving for their catch

• Herons, kingfishers, and cormorants

• The rare shoebill stork (if you’re lucky)

The boat safari brings you closer to the water-dwelling creatures that are harder to spot on land. It’s a peaceful and rewarding experience.

After the boat safari, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a short game drive or relax at the lodge, taking in the views and the sounds of the savannah.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Final Morning Game Drive – Return to Kigali

Wake early for one final morning game drive a last chance to capture images of Akagera’s wildlife and landscapes as the sun rises. The early morning light is perfect for photography, and animals are most active during the cooler hours.

After the drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and checkout. Depart Akagera and begin the journey back to Kigali. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport or your hotel, marking the end of your memorable safari experience.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Inclusions

• Park entry fees

• Boat safari on Lake Ihema

• Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary

• Professional English-speaking safari guide

• 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof

• Game drives as mentioned in the itinerary

• Bottled drinking water throughout the safari

• Government taxes and park fees

Safari Exclusions

• International flights

• Rwanda visa

• Travel insurance (mandatory)

• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs)

• Tips and gratuities for guides and staff

• Accommodation in Kigali before and after the safari

• Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary