A single day trip to Akagera National Park is a long one, with about five hours of driving and a short window on the plains. Spending a night changes the experience. This two-day safari from Kigali gives you an afternoon game drive on the first day, a night in or close to the park, a morning drive when the animals are most active and a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema, the second largest lake in the park. Akagera covers savanna, woodland, papyrus swamp and a chain of lakes, and its wildlife includes elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, many antelope species and lions and rhinos that have been reintroduced in recent years. The boat trip is the highlight for many guests, because the water is crowded with hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and fish eagles, and the light on the lake in the evening is wonderful. A guide drives and spots, and the vehicle usually has a pop-up roof so that you can stand to look and photograph.
Why two days beat one
Wildlife is most active at dawn and in the late afternoon, and the long drive from Kigali eats the best hours of a day trip. With an overnight you arrive in time for the afternoon drive, wake up in the park and spend the early morning on the plains.
You also avoid a late, tiring return to the capital, and you can fit in a sunset on the water, which is not usually possible on a day visit.\n\nWhat to expect on the water: the boat cruise runs for roughly an hour or two on Lake Ihema, with a guide explaining the birds and the animals.
Hippos are numerous, and the boat keeps a safe distance. Crocodiles bask on the banks, and you may see African fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers, herons and, with luck, the rare shoebill, which is occasionally seen in the papyrus. Bring binoculars and a warm layer, because the breeze on the lake can be cool at the end of the day.\n\nPlanning notes: the lodging used by two-day tours varies from camping to simple lodges, so read the inclusions to see what you are getting, and ask about meals and park fees.
The tour is not a luxury product unless the description says so, but it offers good value for time. The park is open year round. The dry seasons, June to September and December to February, bring animals to the water and make viewing easier, while the green season is cheaper and better for birds. Pack sun protection, a hat, insect repellent and closed shoes, and carry small notes for tips.
Check the current travel advice for the country before you go. \n\nMaking the most of the drives: ask the guide to start the first game drive soon after arrival, so you use the soft afternoon light, and to leave the lodge before sunrise on the second morning.
The southern part of the park around Lake Ihema holds most of the wildlife, while the northern plains are quieter. Keep a checklist of the species you hope to see, but let the guide set the pace, because a patient wait at a waterhole often beats a fast drive from one spot to the next.
What to expect
The experience
A two-day guided safari from Kigali with game drives in Akagera National Park, a night in or near the park and a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema.
Best time
June to September and December to February for easier viewing near water; early morning and late afternoon for the best activity.
How long
Two days, including the drive from Kigali each way, two game drives and the boat cruise.
Tips
Bring binoculars, a zoom camera, sun protection and a warm layer for the lake, and check what is included for meals, lodging and park fees.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to see Akagera properly without rushing, including the lake.
- Families
- Children who enjoy animals and boats usually do well; ask about lodging and minimum ages.
- Couples
- Sunset on the lake and a night in the bush make a memorable break from city and mountain days.
- Pair with
- The hot air balloon flight, a Kigali city tour before departure or a Nyungwe trip afterwards.
- Time needed
- Two days.
Good questions
How long is the drive from Kigali?+
Roughly two to three hours each way, depending on traffic and the entrance used.
Will I see lions and rhinos?+
Both have been reintroduced and are present, but they are harder to find than elephants, giraffes and buffalo. Guides will tell you honestly what is likely.
What is the boat cruise like?+
It is a relaxed trip on Lake Ihema among hippos, crocodiles and many bird species, especially pretty near sunset.
Where do we sleep?+
It depends on the tour, from camping to simple lodges. Check the inclusions when you book.
Is a day trip enough?+
A day trip works if time is short, but an overnight gives much better wildlife viewing and a less tiring schedule.
