3 Day Big Five Adventure in Akagera National Park

Your safari begins with a pick-up from Kigali after breakfast. Enjoy a scenic 2.5 hour drive east through Rwanda’s rolling hills and rural landscapes to Akagera National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive through the park’s southern sector, searching for giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and various antelope species. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants and, with luck, the elusive leopard or lion.

After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive across Akagera’s northern plains, one of the best areas for spotting large mammals and predators. The diverse terrain of open savannah, woodland, and wetlands supports a rich variety of wildlife. Expect sightings of elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas, and more. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading out for a boat safari on Lake Ihema in the afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity to see hippos wallowing in the water, crocodiles sunning themselves on the shores, and a wide variety of bird species including African fish eagles and kingfishers.

After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive as you exit the park, giving you another chance to spot wildlife you may have missed. Afterwards, begin your drive back to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon. You can be dropped off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your Big 5 safari adventure.