• 1 KN 78 St, Norrsken House, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Mon–Sun: 9am to 6pm
Pride Adventure
Plan your trip

1-Day Trip to Akagera National Park Wildlife

Big Five game drive and Lake Ihema views, back by evening

  • Duration1 day
  • LocationAkagera National Park
  • Minimum age5+
  • DifficultyEasy

Tour overview

About this journey

Embark on an unforgettable day adventure to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier Big Five destination and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted wildlife in the country. This 1-day safari offers a perfect blend of nature, wildlife, and scenic beauty — ideal for travelers with limited time but a desire to experience Rwanda’s wild side.

Your journey will take you through open plains, woodlands, lakes, and rolling hills, home to elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, and numerous bird species. With an experienced guide, you’ll explore the park on a classic game drive and enjoy breathtaking views across Lake Ihema and beyond.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or simply in search of a memorable outdoor experience, this one-day safari provides a rewarding glimpse into Rwanda’s incredible biodiversity.

Trip highlights

  • Classic game drive across plains, woodland and lakes
  • Chance to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and buffalo
  • Views across Lake Ihema
  • Breakfast and lunch included
  • Ideal if you only have one free day
Starts
Kigali City
Ends
Kigali
Best time
All year · best June–September & December–February
Style
Private & tailor-made

Your route

  1. Kigali
  2. Akagera NP
  3. Kigali

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

  1. Day1

    Check out at your hotel and set off for Akagera National Park. Stop en route at Imigongo art center and restaurant for coffee break, after continue driving towards the park reception 08h00 am Arrive at the park headquarters for tour formalities and briefing.

    After breakfast immediately set off for your game drive where you will be able to spot all mammals and an opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals such as elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, gazelle, impala, baboon, oribi, and Burch ell’s zebra, topis, bush back, leopard, and bushbuck. You will also see crocodiles and hippos, together with a large concentration of birdlife, with over 525 identified species.

    Rejoin your driver guide and proceed for a game viewing drive in the park via northern part and have a Picnic lunch, Exit the park in the late afternoon and drive back to Kigali at your hotel or the Kigali International Airport.

    • Game drive
    • Lake Ihema
    • OvernightBack in Kigali
    • MealsBreakfast · Lunch
    • Travel≈ 2.5 hrs each way

  2. End of your Pride Adventure — with memories for life.

Drive times are approximate. Lodges are confirmed with you when you book, matched to your budget and availability.

Price details

What’s included

Included

  • Entrance fee
  • Breakfast & Lunch
  • Transportation
  • Professional guide

Not included

  • Tips
  • Airport Transfers
  • Insurance

Gallery

Photos from the trail

Akagera Lion Cubs Akagera Elephants Plains Akagera Lion Akagera Giraffes Akagera Elephant Herd Road

Before you go

Good to know

What to pack

  • Neutral-coloured, light clothing
  • Warm layer for early morning drives
  • Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with a zoom lens
  • Insect repellent

Travel with confidence

  • Licensed and insured tours
  • Local driver-guides who know every trail
  • 24/7 on-ground support
  • Permits and lodges booked for you

Questions

Frequently asked

Can this itinerary be customised?

Yes. Every Pride Adventure trip is tailor-made. We can add or remove days, change the order, upgrade or downgrade lodges and add activities. Send us a request and we will send you a proposal.

Will we see the Big Five in Akagera?

Akagera is home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Sightings are never guaranteed, but our guides know where the animals are likely to be.

What is the best time to go?

The long dry season (June–September) and the short dry season (December–February) are the easiest for trekking and game drives. The green seasons are quieter, lush and good value.

How do I book?

Send us a request with your dates and group size. We reply within 24 hours with a quote. When you confirm, we book permits and lodges and send you a full travel pack.

Free quote

Request this tour

Tell us your dates and group. We will confirm availability and send you a tailored price within 24 hours.

No payment needed. We reply within 24 hours.

What travellers say

Traveller testimonials

4.9 from 7 verified reviews
Tripadvisor

Great day spotting 4 out of the big 5

Good tourguide, passionate about driving and telling us about the park and animals. Good vibes, can recommend! Thanks mr T

Sightsee05212738867 May 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

The realization of a dream, A Safari in East Africa.

I had the pleasure of going on three adventures in Akagera with Pride Adventure. Mansoor is a guide who has a passion and deep knowledge of Rwanda’s nature. He is extremely professional and also speaks French, English and Kinyarwanda. Having done other safaris, I must say that I really appreciated the sensitivity he had towards listening to our expectations and needs. I recommend Pride Arrive without any hesitation.

Nathalie April 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

The winning team!

We had the most amazing time with Pride Adventures! Mansour is incredibly knowledgeable at his work and knows the park inside and out. He was very welcoming and easy to talk - feeling like family after 2 days in the truck together. I highly recommend his service!

Brianna S March 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

Best tour in Ouganda

The experience was wonderful! We track gorillas and visit QE park! Driver, hotel, guide were a real pleasure. Cyprien was professionnal, very good guide, smooth, calm, always on time. I recommand Pride Adventure 100%

Dominique March 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

safari tour in Akagera national park

We had so much fun at Sarari. Driver were helpful and told us of animals. Car was safe and tidy. We saw different kinds of animals.

Sari K March 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

Recommendation for all

Good service, excellent driver, very easygoing atmosphere. Beatiful park and fantastic place to see elephants, lions and zeebras

Tuomas L March 2025 · Verified
Tripadvisor

Good service and great guide/driver

The guide picked us from the hotel and drove safely us to the Akagera Park. The guide explained what is going to happen there. In the Park our driver found all of the animals and we saw giraffes, elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras and many more.During the visit the guide asked us to pre-order the lunch from the menu and it was ready in the restaurant when we arrived.Water was available during the trip.Good service.

Jenni K March 2025 · Verified

Keep exploring

You may also like

All tours
1 dayPrice on request
Enquire
Chat with us