Signature Safari
2 Day Rwanda Trip to Akagera for Big Five and Lake Ihema Boat Cruise
The Experience
This 2 day Rwanda safari to Akagera National Park and Lake Ihema is ideal for travelers seeking a short but rewarding wildlife experience. On the first day, you are picked up from your hotel in Kigali and transferred to Akagera, where you enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This activity gives you close views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the shores. Later in the afternoon, you head out for an evening game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and predators as they become active. The second day begins with an early morning game drive, the best time to see lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo, completing the Big Five experience. After several hours of wildlife viewing, you return to Kigali for departure. This trip balances water-based and land-based safari activities effectively.
Duration2Days/1Nights
Price00
DestinationsRwanda
Ideal ForCouples, Wildlife Fans
Overview
This 2 day Rwanda safari to Akagera National Park and Lake Ihema is ideal for travelers seeking a short but rewarding wildlife experience. On the first day, you are picked up from your hotel in Kigali and transferred to Akagera, where you enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This activity gives you close views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the shores. Later in the afternoon, you head out for an evening game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and predators as they become active. The second day begins with an early morning game drive, the best time to see lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo, completing the Big Five experience. After several hours of wildlife viewing, you return to Kigali for departure. This trip balances water-based and land-based safari activities effectively.
The Journey
Day by Day
Day01
Day 1: Hotel Pick, Transfer to Akagera, Boat Cruise and Evening Game Drive
Your trip begins with a hotel pickup in Kigali and a drive of about two and a half hours to Akagera National Park. On arrival, you check in and head straight for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. This activity gives you the chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species along the water’s edge. After lunch, you prepare for an evening game drive through the park’s savannah. This is a good time to spot elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and predators as they become active. The drive lasts until sunset, offering plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge inside or near the park complete the day, ensuring you are ready for the early game drive tomorrow.
AccommodationLodge Near Akagera
Day02
Day 2: Early Game Drive, Wildlife Viewing and Departure
The second day starts with an early morning game drive, the best time to see predators such as lions and leopards as they hunt or patrol. You also have a chance to spot rhinos, buffalo, and herds of antelopes, completing the Big Five experience. The drive takes you through different habitats, from open plains to wooded areas, maximizing your chances of diverse sightings. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting species like the shoebill stork and papyrus gonolek. After several hours of wildlife viewing, you return to the lodge for breakfast and later begin the transfer back to Kigali. Depending on your schedule, you may stop briefly for refreshments or local crafts before departure. This two-day safari offers a compact yet rewarding experience of Rwanda’s wildlife and landscapes.
What's Included
Airport transfers on
Day 1 and Day 2
Ground transportation
in a 4x4 safari vehicle
English-speaking
professional driver-guide
Accommodation
Boat cruise
Meals as specified
(full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Bottled drinking water
in the vehicle
All relevant government
taxes and fees
Not Included
International flights
to/from Kigali
Rwanda visa
Travel insurance
(medical and evacuation coverage mandatory)
Domestic flight from
Kigali to Akagera (if chosen instead of road)
Tips and gratuities for
guides, drivers, and lodge staff
Alcoholic and soft
drinks
Personal expenses
(souvenirs, laundry, phone calls)
Optional activities not
listed in the itinerary
Begin Your Adventure
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