3-Day Akagera Wildlife Safari and Boat Cruise
The 3-Day Akagera Wildlife Safari and Boat Cruise is a thrilling Rwanda safari experience designed for travelers seeking exceptional wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, and relaxed safari pacing in one of East Africa’s most scenic protected areas. Beginning and ending in Kigali, this safari explores the breathtaking wilderness of Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah park and home to the famous Big Five.
From scenic game drives across rolling plains to a spectacular boat cruise on Lake Ihema surrounded by hippos, crocodiles, and birds, this safari delivers a rich wildlife experience within a short time. Expect encounters with elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and countless bird species while enjoying comfortable accommodation and immersive safari moments.
Travel is available in either a pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle for premium safari comfort and superior off-road performance or a pop-up roof safari minivan for comfortable and scenic travel.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
- First-time Rwanda safari travelers
- Couples and honeymooners seeking short wildlife escapes
- Families looking for a relaxed safari experience
- Wildlife photographers and bird lovers
- Travelers wanting a Big Five safari in a short timeframe
Why This Safari Works (Brief List Form)
- Big Five Safari Experience – Opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards
- Boat Safari Included – Scenic wildlife viewing on Lake Ihema with hippos and crocodiles
- Short Yet Rewarding Safari – Perfect for travelers with limited time in Rwanda
- Day & Night Wildlife Viewing – Includes both daytime game drives and exciting night safari experience
- Beautiful Rwanda Landscapes – Scenic rolling hills, lakes, and savannahs throughout the route
- Flexible Transport Choice – Pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle or safari minivan
Tour Highlights
Scenic transfer from Kigali to Akagera National Park
Big Five wildlife safari experience
Exciting night game drive for nocturnal wildlife viewing
Morning boat cruise on Lake Ihema
Scenic wildlife viewing across savannah plains and lakes
Exceptional birdwatching opportunities
Photography opportunities with stunning landscapes
Relaxed safari pace with leisure time at lodge
Tour Map
Tour Features
Luxury tour
This luxury tour uses lodges.
Can be customized
You can request changes to this tour.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Not for solo travelers
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Day 1
Kigali – Akagera National Park | Arrival, Game Drive & Night Safari
After a relaxed breakfast at your hotel or residence in Kigali, you will check out and begin your scenic drive east toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah national park and home to the Big Five.
The drive offers beautiful views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, villages, and countryside landscapes, giving insight into why Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Upon arrival in the park, enjoy an en-route game drive where you may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, lions, and stunning open savannah scenery before arriving at your lodge for lunch and check-in.
The afternoon is spent relaxing and enjoying lodge facilities before heading out for an exciting night game drive, one of the safari’s highlights.
As darkness falls, Akagera reveals a different side of wildlife activity, with opportunities to spot nocturnal animals that are difficult to see during daytime, including hyenas, civets, bush babies, genets, owls, and predators on the move.
Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Transport Distance & Time: Approx. 110 km | 2.5–3 hours drive from Kigali to Akagera plus evening game drive
Accommodation
Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 2
Akagera National Park – Lake Ihema Boat Cruise & Full Safari Experience
After breakfast, begin a rewarding day exploring the magnificent wilderness of Akagera National Park, considered one of East Africa’s most scenic savannah ecosystems.
The morning starts with a spectacular boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you glide quietly across calm waters surrounded by rich wildlife.
Large pods of hippos surface nearby, crocodiles bask along the shoreline, and a dazzling variety of birdlife—including fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, cormorants, and African jacanas—create incredible photography opportunities.
After the cruise, continue deeper into the park exploring the giraffe area in the south and the scenic lakes road toward Birengero.
Wildlife sightings may include elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelope species, impalas, warthogs, and more.
A picnic lunch is enjoyed at a scenic stop inside the park before continuing your afternoon wildlife exploration.
Later, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport Distance & Time: Approx. 60–100 km game drive route | Full-day safari experience with boat cruise
Accommodation
Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
Day 3
Morning Wildlife Safari – Return to Kigali
Wake up to a relaxed breakfast before embarking on your final safari drive through Akagera National Park.
This final morning offers an opportunity to revisit areas where wildlife activity may be stronger and spot animals missed during previous game drives.
With luck, you may encounter predators returning from a hunt, elephants moving across the plains, giraffes feeding quietly, or antelope herds grazing against dramatic landscapes.
After your final safari moments, check out and begin the return drive to Kigali.
Along the way, stop for souvenir shopping and photos before transfer to your hotel or Kigali International Airport for your outbound departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Transport Distance & Time: Approx. 110 km | 2.5–3 hours drive back to Kigali plus morning safari
Accommodation
End Of Tour ( No Accommodation )
Important to know
The prices below are per person (based on two adults travelling together) and please note that the prices are approximate for 2026.
Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.
Rates Per Person
Rates are Per Person Sharing a Room Except for the Solo who is on Single Supplement
| Month/Season | Solo | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 | $1189 | $1189 | $1189 | $1189 | $1189 | $1189 |