Akagera Game Drive and Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Departure from Kigali: 05:00 AM - Our professional driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali in a specialized 4x4 Land Cruiser with a full tank. Leaving at 05:00 AM ensures you beat the city traffic and arrive at the park just as the wildlife is waking up and actively moving. Drive time: approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
Arrival and Registration at the Southern Gate: 07:00 AM - Arrive at the southern entrance of Akagera National Park. While you stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air, your guide will handle the park registration and entry clearances at reception.
Morning Game Drive Begins: 07:30 AM - Pop open the roof of the Land Cruiser and begin your game drive, heading straight to Lake Ihema for a 09:00 AM boat cruise. Here, you will have the chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife in their natural habitat. After the boat ride, continue with an exciting game drive through the park in search of the Big Five, including lions and leopards returning from their night hunts, as well as elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species grazing in the savanna.
Lunch at Mihindi Campsite and Cafe: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM - Head to the scenic Mihindi Cafe, beautifully situated inside the park overlooking Lake Mihindi. Here, you will take a relaxing break to stretch, enjoy a delicious cooked lunch, and watch hippos and crocodiles lounging by the lakeshores.
Afternoon Game Drive - Continue your safari as you head toward the northern exit. The afternoon sun often brings animals down to the watering holes. Your driver-guide will use expert tracking skills to seek out rhinos and hidden prides of lions in the Kilala Plains.
Exit the Park via the Northern Gate - Conclude your game drive and exit the park through the Northern Gate (Nyungwe Gate). This allows you to experience a complete traversal of the park's diverse landscapes from south to north without backtracking.
Return Drive to Kigali - Relax in the comfort of the Land Cruiser as your driver takes the smoothly paved main highway back to the capital. On arrival in Kigali, your driver will drop you off at the airport or at your hotel in Kigali, marking the end of an incredible safari adventure.
