Safari Overview
This 3 days Akagera National Park safari offers a perfectly balanced itinerary combining multiple game drives with a relaxing Lake Ihema boat safari. It is ideal for travelers seeking a deeper wildlife experience, excellent photography opportunities, and enough time to explore Rwanda’s premier savannah destination at a relaxed pace.
3 Days Akagera National Park Safari
Day 1: Kigali – Akagera National Park | Scenic Drive & Afternoon Game Drive
Your 3 days Akagera National Park safari begins with a morning departure from Kigali, traveling east through Rwanda’s rolling countryside toward Akagera National Park. The drive takes approximately two to three hours and offers a scenic introduction to Rwanda’s Eastern Province before entering the country’s only savannah national park.
Upon arrival at the park’s southern gate, you begin an introductory game drive through open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and seasonal wetlands. This first safari experience provides excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and a wide variety of birdlife. Your professional safari guide introduces you to Akagera’s ecosystems, wildlife behavior, and conservation story as you explore different habitats within the park.
In the late afternoon, you continue to your lodge or tented camp for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay, enjoying the sounds of wildlife as night falls over the savannah.
Day 2: Full-Day Safari Experience | Game Drives & Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Day two is dedicated entirely to exploring Akagera National Park in depth. After an early breakfast, you set out for a morning game drive, the best time to encounter active wildlife in cooler temperatures. As the park comes alive, you search for predators such as lions and hyenas, along with large herds of plains game moving toward water sources.
Later in the day, you head to Lake Ihema for a guided safari boat cruise, one of Akagera’s signature experiences. Cruising along the lake’s calm waters, you observe large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles resting on the shoreline, and an exceptional diversity of waterbirds including African fish eagles, herons, kingfishers, and ibises. The boat safari offers close-up wildlife encounters and excellent photographic opportunities from a unique water-based perspective.
In the afternoon, you enjoy additional game viewing as you make your way back through the park, exploring different routes and habitats before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Return to Kigali
Your final day begins with an early morning game drive, taking advantage of the golden light and heightened wildlife activity at dawn. This final safari offers another chance to spot species you may have missed earlier, while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the savannah as the sun rises.
After the game drive, you return to the lodge for breakfast and prepare for your journey back to Kigali. You exit the park with en-route wildlife viewing before arriving in Kigali in the early afternoon, marking the end of your unforgettable 3 days Akagera National Park safari in Rwanda.
Luxury Lodge Options in Akagera National Park
For travelers seeking exclusivity and comfort, luxury lodges in Akagera National Park offer premium services, scenic locations, and immersive wildlife experiences.
Ruzizi Tented Lodge is the leading luxury option in the park. Located on the shores of Lake Ihema, this eco-luxury tented camp offers spacious en-suite tents, private verandas, excellent dining, and exceptional views of wildlife and birdlife. It is ideal for honeymooners, photographers, and travelers looking for a refined safari experience.
Midrange Lodge Options in Akagera National Park
Midrange lodges provide a comfortable balance between quality, location, and value, making them popular for classic Rwanda safari holidays.
Akagera Game Lodge is a well-established lodge situated near the park’s southern entrance. It offers comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and panoramic views over the savannah. Its strategic location makes it an excellent base for game drives and Lake Ihema boat safaris.
Budget & Camping Options in Akagera National Park
For adventurous and budget-conscious travelers, Akagera National Park offers designated campsites that allow visitors to stay close to nature.
Shakani Campsite is located near Lake Shakani and provides a scenic and tranquil camping experience, ideal for self-drive travelers and nature lovers.
Muyumba Campsite is positioned on a ridge near the Kayonza entrance, offering sweeping views of Lake Ihema and surrounding landscapes. These campsites are suitable for travelers with their own tents or rented camping equipment.
Book Your 3 Days Akagera National Park safari
Ready to explore Rwanda’s only savannah national park? Book your 3 days Akagera National Park safari with Akagera National Park Safaris and enjoy expertly guided game drives, a Lake Ihema boat safari, and handpicked accommodation.
Request your bespoke safari today and secure your preferred travel dates.
Optional Additions to Your Akagera National Park Safari
To further personalize your 3 Days Akagera National Park Safari, a range of optional experiences can be added to enhance wildlife encounters, comfort, and cultural depth. These additions allow travelers to tailor the safari to their interests, travel style, and pace while maintaining a seamless itinerary.
A guided nature walk offers a unique opportunity to explore Akagera National Park on foot with experienced park rangers. This on-foot safari experience focuses on animal tracking, birdlife, plant species, and ecological interpretation, providing a deeper understanding of the savannah environment beyond vehicle-based game drives.
A night game drive can be added for travelers interested in nocturnal wildlife. Conducted after sunset with professional guides, night drives reveal species rarely seen during the day, including bush babies, hyenas, civets, and other nocturnal animals, adding an adventurous dimension to the safari.
For travelers seeking comfort and efficiency, a private safari upgrade is available. This includes exclusive use of a 4×4 safari vehicle and a dedicated guide, allowing greater flexibility in game viewing, photography stops, and daily scheduling.
Cultural immersion can be enhanced through a community experience near Akagera National Park. These visits offer insight into local traditions, daily life, and conservation-linked community projects, creating a meaningful connection between wildlife tourism and local livelihoods.
For luxury travelers, helicopter transfers from Kigali can be arranged, significantly reducing travel time while offering spectacular aerial views of Rwanda’s landscapes. This option is ideal for guests with limited time or those seeking a premium safari experience.
Safari itineraries can also be extended to include additional nights in Akagera National Park or combined with other Rwanda highlights such as Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking or a Kigali city and cultural tour.