Located in Kayonza district, north eastern region of Rwanda about 137 kilometers (three hours’ drive) from Kigali capital city, Akagera national park was first established as a national park by the Belgian colonial government in the year 1934.
With the recent introduction of lions and rhinos, Akagera national park is once again a home to the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros) in Rwanda in addition to a number of animal species such as impalas, zebras, giraffes, Sitatunga, to mention but a few. The park is also home to over 750 species of birds and about 8,000 large savannah residents.
The three days Akagera national park safari introduces you to a number of adventurous activities ranging from game drives, boat cruise and walking through spectacular vegetation cover dominated by savannah grasslands. The trip begins and ends in the capital city – Kigali (Kigali International Airport).
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Akagera National Park.
Having arrived at Kigali international airport, you will meet our professional guide who is also the driver. He or she will brief you about the tour. If you happen to arrive in the morning you can have a tour around the city of Kigali and visit religious centers, museums e.g. the 1994 genocide memorial grounds as well as enjoying the drive around the city.
After a delicious lunch at any hotel of your choice in the city, you will embark on the three hour drive journey to Akagera national park. Check in to the lodge or hotel of your choice for relaxation, dinner and overnight as you prepare for the following day.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon Boat cruise.
After a lip-smirking morning breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive and get to discover hidden secrets of the mighty Akagera national park. Ensure to watch as many bird species as you can because they are always flying form tree to tree and singing melodies of different kinds. Additionally, it is an opportunity for you to see a number of animal species such as buffaloes, leopards, lions, elephants, waterbucks, zebras, to mention but a few. Birds available at Akagera national park include but not limited to the following; suaza shrike, raptors, the rare shoebill stork, great sniper bird, jacana and herons.
Return to your lodge or hotel for lunch and relaxation before joining the afternoon boat cruise.
The Akagera national park afternoon boat cruise happens along Lake Ihema and it is a great animal and bird viewing hot spot. You will see quite a number of animal species ranging from crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, and so much more.
If time becomes your best friend, join an optional evening guided nature walk and explore the park more and more before making a retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Exploring the northern circuit and transfer back to Kigali city – departure.
After delicious morning breakfast, you will sign out of the hotel or lodge and head to the northern circuit of Akagera National Park. It is from here that you will see a number of animal species some of which you might have missed the previous day and others that you will get a chance to see once more. Take additional pictures that you did not take.
Embark on the journey back to Kigali city from where you will have a choice of making another tour around the city and visit places you might have missed on day one of the trip or continue to Kigali international airport and board a plane back home. Thus coming to the end of your three day safari in Rwanda’s Akagera national park.
