3 Days Akagera Big Five Safari
3 Days Akagera National Park and Big Five Safari
This is a 3 days Akagera Big Five safari where you will visit Akagera National Park, the only savannah park in Rwanda. This park is the largest in Rwanda, and it shelters all the Big Five animals. It is also home to other wildlife species apart from the Big Five. This Rwanda wildlife safari will begin and end in Kigali.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
Day 3: Depart for Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Akagera National Park
A professional guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali. After a short briefing about the safari, you will begin your journey. The safari starts with a visit to the Musanze Caves. While at the caves, you will have the opportunity to see a large number of bats hanging from the cave ceilings. The guide will lead you through the cave trails while providing detailed explanations about the formations, history, and significance of the caves.
You will spend approximately two hours exploring the Musanze Caves. These caves served as a shelter for refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and were also historically used as a crowning site for kings in ancient times. After the cave exploration, you will continue your journey to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival at the park, you will check into your selected lodge and enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will have time to settle in and relax at the lodge. You will have dinner and retire to bed.
Accommodation options
- Luxury: Magashi Camp
- Midrange: Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: Karenge Bush Camp
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon game drive
You will wake up very early in the morning and enjoy breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, the guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing session. During the briefing, park guides will explain the guidelines and safety rules to follow while on the morning game drive. You will then set off on a morning game drive in Akagera National Park, which will last approximately 3 to 4 hours. During the game drive, you will have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife species, including all members of the Big Five, since Akagera National Park is home to them all. You may also encounter other animals such as antelopes, giraffes, zebras, and several bird species. The guide will transfer you back to the lodge, where you will have lunch.
In the afternoon, the guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer you to Lake Ihema for a boat cruise. The boat cruise on Lake Ihema lasts approximately two hours and offers excellent opportunities to observe aquatic wildlife. During the cruise, you will see animals such as hippos and crocodiles, as well as a variety of water birds along the lake shores. After the boat cruise, the guide will transfer you back to the lodge. You will relax in the evening, enjoy dinner, and then retire to bed for the night.
Boat Cruise along Lake IhemaDay 3: Depart for Kigali
You will have breakfast at the lodge in Akagera National Park. After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and begin your journey back to Kigali with your guide.
Along the way, you will have a stopover at Kimironko Market. This vibrant local market allows you to buy souvenirs and observe how business is conducted by local vendors. After the visit to the market, the guide will continue driving you back to the hotel in Kigali, where you were picked up on the first day of the safari. Upon arrival, the safari will come to an end.
Safari Includes
- Mineral bottled water
- 4WD safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Park entrance fees
- All activity fees as per the itinerary
Safari Excludes
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Life insurance
- Visa fees and air ticket fees
