Why spend two nights in Akagera?

Because the south and north offer completely different experiences. Because one night forces you to choose. Two nights gives you both sides of the park. The south is about the lakes and the sunset boat safari. The north is different—open plains, better visibility, and wildlife that’s most active early in the morning. Sleeping in the north means you wake up where the animals already are.

What happens to the sunset boat ride if it rains?

You don’t miss it—we simply reschedule it. If the weather doesn’t allow it, we reschedule the boat ride to the next morning. It runs at 07:30 or 09:30, depending on the weather and your preference. You don’t miss the experience—it just happens under better conditions.

What animals will we see?

Expect the Big Five, plus a lot more. Akagera is home to the Big Five, and sightings of lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos are very common. Leopards are more elusive, but your chances improve the longer you spend in the park. You’ll also see giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and plenty of birdlife.

Do I need three days to see the north?

No—but three days means you don’t have to rush it. Even a one-day safari can reach the north. With two days, you can get there and even stay overnight if you leave Kigali early. With three days, you experience both the lakes and the plains without rushing.

If we stay in the south, can we still see the north?

Yes—you’ll still pass through it. Most safaris pass through the north before exiting the park. The difference is timing. Staying in the north means you’re there at sunrise, when wildlife is most active.

Do I have to pay the full amount upfront?

No—just a small deposit to secure your booking. We only require a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is paid on arrival.

I have read the cancellation policy but it's not clear. How long in advance do I have to cancel for a refund?

The earlier you cancel the more you get back. Up to 1 month before: full refund Within 1 week: 30% refund Less than 1 week: no refund If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you receive a full refund regardless of your travel date.

Is this a private or shared safari?

This is a fully private experience. You’ll have your own guide and travel in a pop-up roof safari vehicle, giving you clear views while staying comfortable in changing weather.

Where do we stay in the north?

Simple, close to nature, and right where the wildlife is. You stay at Karenge Bush Camp in the northern part of the park. It’s a rustic setup with comfortable beds and outdoor showers and toilets that are designed to keep you connected to the environment.

Is this safari comfortable?

Comfortable enough. Simple by choice. If you are looking for a luxury lodge experience this is not it. If you want to fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and wake up with lions outside camp, it is exactly right.

Do we have to leave Kigali by 07:00

No its not amust. Latest hour of departure is 14:00 07:00 is enough to make the most of your first day. You you arrive mid-morning and still enjoy a full day in the park.

How many people can one tent accommodate?

Only two people are allowed to share a tent. The package is priced for two people sharing a double tent. Additional guests can be accommodated in a single tents. If you'd prefer separate tents, mention it at checkout when booking the safari and we'll arrange it for an extra fee.

3 Days Akagera National Park Safari with Night Game Drive & Sunset Boat Ride

Most visitors spend their night in the south.

You'll know what they missed.

Lake Ieham view from Ruzizi tented lodge

Safari cars in the dark with lifts full on during night safari

Akagera boat captain steering it from the back while tourists look at elephants on the shores

The Full Akagera Experience — From the Southern Lakes to the Northern Plains

Akagera has five ecological zones and most visitors see one. Three days changes that. You start at lake level where the water sets the rhythm and end on the northern plains at first light watching predators close out their night. In between the park reveals itself the way it's meant to be seen, gradually, on its own terms.

Safari Stats

Type of Activity	Safari game drive with sunset boat ride and night safari options
Price:	$1,100 for 1 , $700 for 2, $650 for 3 +
Duration:	2 days - Starting 07:00 and ending day 2 19:00
Overnight:	Akagera Game Lodge
Intensity	Easy
Begins In:	Kigali City. Airport pickup available
Ends In:	Kigali City. Airport drop-off available
Location:	Day 1 south, Day 2 south & north Akagera National Park
Wildlife:	Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino), Giraffe, Zebra, Hippo, Crocodile, 11 antelope species, primates, 500+ bird species
Sightings:	Over 90% daily succees rate sighting the BIG 5

Type of Activity	Day and night safari with sunset boat ride
Price:	$2300 for 1 person, $1400 for 2 pax, $1300 for 3+
Duration:	3 days 2 nights
Overnight:	Akagera game lodge & Akarenge Bush Camp
Intensity:	Easy
Departure:	Kigali, 07:00
Returns:	Kigali, 17:00 day 3. Airport drop-off available
Location:	Day 1 south, Day 2 south & north Akagera National Park
Wildlife:	Lions & Hyena Best spotted at dawn · Northern Kilala Plains
Sightings	Over 95% success rate sighting the BIG 5

Featured & Recommended By…

$2600 for 1 , $1400 for 2, $1300 3 pax +

Deposit: 20%

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⚠️ Popular Dates Filling Fast

Note: June - August regularly sell out 1–2 months in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment

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From $650 /Person

Deposit: 20%

FREE SAFARI GUIDE

⏰ Limited Spots Available
⚠️ Popular Dates Filling Fast

Need Help? Ask a Question 0787-409-137

Safari Details

1 pax $1200 | 2 pax $ 700

There is no better base for exploring Akagera's northern wilderness than Karenge Bush Camp, a rustic canvas camp perched above the Kilala Plains with the savannah stretching out in every direction.

Spend your days tracking lions and hyenas across open grassland, your evenings watching the plains turn gold from camp, and your nights falling asleep to sounds that remind you exactly where you are.

Interior Balcony room at Akagera Game Lodge with curtains open

Akagera Game Lodge Entrance, sunset picture

Reached only after a full day's drive through the park, Karenge sits in a corner of Akagera that most visitors never reach — with nothing between you and the wildlife but your guide and an open vehicle.

Whats Included

Round-trip transport from Kigali (pickup and drop-off)
Park entrance fees for Akagera National Park
Night safari and sunset boat ride fees
3 days safari game drive in the south and north of Akagera National Park
Full board accommodation at Akagera Game Lodge and Karenge Bush Camp
Air-conditioned pop-up roof 4x4 safari vehicle equipped with GPS and a fridge
Professional English/French-speaking driver-guide & tracker fees
Comprehensive insurance, including Akagera Emergency Air Evacuation cover
Complimentary gear: Binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent
Safety Equipment: Satellite phone, maps, GPS, and medical kit
Unlimited bottled water throughout the day

Exclusions

Only soft drinks are included in your package. Coffee and other beverages are available for purchase.
Any other activity not mentioned in this package e.g Behind the scenes look at conservation, hot air balloon etc .
A map of Akagera National Park can be purchased at the park entrance.

What do I need to bring?

Valid passport (with any required visas or permits)
Comfortable shoes suitable for uneven terrain
Lightweight rain jacket for sudden showers
Neutral-colored long-sleeve clothing (for sun and insect protection)
Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen to protect from the sun
Insect repellent (preferably DEET-based or equivalent)
Small backpack for daily essentials
Refillable water bottle
Personal medications (bring enough for the whole trip)

Request Your FREE 3 Days Akagera National Park Guide!

Get everything you need to plan your perfect three‑days safari: detailed daily schedule, expert packing suggestions, weather insights, and helpful travel tips from our veteran guides. Includes videos of animals and habitats you can expect to see at Akagera National Park south and north.

CLAIM YOUR FREE SAFARI GUIDE

Cancellation Policy

If We Cancel
In over 6,000 trips, we've never cancelled, but reserve the right to do so in exceptional circumstances. If we cancel, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.

If “God Cancels”
No refunds guaranteed for cancellations within 48 hours of departure, regardless of reason - weather, illness, travel bans, or any other circumstance. Add Protect Group's Enhanced Refund coverage (8% additional) to protect yourself.

If You Cancel

2 to 1000 days out: Refund minus $20 admin fee or full credit toward a future trip.
24 to 36 hours out: No refund, but you can keep it as a future trip credit. (valid for up to 3 years).

Less than 24 hours: No refund or credit, unless covered by Enhanced Refund Terms.

24-Hour Risk-Free Booking

Changed your mind? Full refund if you cancel within 24 hours. Zero penalty. No stress, no risk.

Premium Safari. Lowest Price Guaranteed.

Book direct online or at our Tourist Information Centers - we guarantee you will receive the lowest price available.

Instalment Payment Options

Split the cost—without paying more. Reserve your trip for 10% down, pay the rest on arrival.

Why Choose Akagera Safari?

We guarantee 3 of the Big 5 on every one-day safari - or you get a full refund. The real odds? 95% chance you'll see 4 of the Big 5, and 80% chance you'll see all 5. We can make this promise because our guides communicate live wildlife locations across the park. Over 8,000 safaris, six hours each, and the tracking system works.

What else comes with your safari:

All-Inclusive Packages

Book, show up, everything's handled. Round-trip transport from Kigali, meals, park fees, water, and gratuities - all included.

Skip the Line

While others queue at the Akagera park entrance - which gets hectic in the morning - you head straight to the safari briefing by the park warden. Learn the park's history and conservation story before your game drive starts.

Responsible Tourism

Climate Action. 1.5% of every booking funds permanent carbon removal through Stripe Climate.

Emergency Air Evacuation

Covered by Akagera Aviation for immediate medical airlift. One less thing to worry about.

Our Guests Say It Best

Real stories. Real awe. Hear what our guests experienced on this safari.

With so many safari options online, Akagera Safari's website stood out, and the guaranteed sighting delivered all the Big 5

Emilie

Booked direct and saved a fortune. Customer support responded so fast I genuinely thought I was chatting with a bot - turns out they're just that efficient.

Lea S

WATCH EMILIE'S YOUTUBE VIDEO

20+ Years of Award-Winning Safari Adventures

Itinerary

Day 1 — Southern Akagera & Sunset Boat Ride

You leave Kigali at 07:00 and reach the park by 09:30. Before anything else your park warden sits you down and tells you what happened here. A park that lost its lions, its rhinos, almost everything, and got them all back. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

The southern region is lake country. Wetlands, shoreline loops, giraffe and buffalo sharing the water's edge with crocodiles and hippos. The birdlife alone stops most people in their tracks, over 500 species, some found nowhere else in Rwanda.

The day ends on Lake Ihema. Close enough to hippos to hear them breathe, elephants cooling off at the shore as the light drops. Dinner and overnight at Akagera Game Lodge.

Day 2 — The Full Traverse

You leave the lakes behind and drive north. This is the day the park shows you its full range, five ecological zones, each one feeling like a different country. Buffalo on the hills, elephants in the valleys, leopard country in the dense middle section where the drive slows down and your guide starts paying closer attention.

By late afternoon the terrain opens and Karenge Bush Camp appears above the Kilala Plains, a rustic canvas camp on a ridge with savannah falling away in every direction. Most visitors never reach this part of the park.

At sunset your guide takes you out on a night game drive. Spotlight on, windows open, the bush sounding completely different in the dark. Lions move at night. You return to camp and eat dinner by the fire.

Day 3 — Dawn on the Kilala Plains

You are out at 05:30, before first light. Lions and hyenas are still working when you leave camp. The Kilala Plains are open savannah, no dense bush, no forest, just grassland and the kind of visibility that means nothing gets past you. It is the best place in Rwanda to watch predators and the elevated position of Karenge means you see them before they know you are there.

By 10:00 you are back at camp for a late breakfast. A short game drive on the way out, final sightings, then out of the park at 14:00 and back in Kigali by 17:00.

FULL ITINERARY

Location

More Trip Reviews

Ben Oldfrey

9 days ago

Fantastic day! Only booked very last minute and was very quickly informed of what's what and very glad I did. Thanks so much

Boukje Kistemaker

23 days ago

I had a lovely time at Akagera Park today, and was very lucky with Innocent as my driver and guide. My first safari, and memories I will cherish forever. Highly recommend Akagera Safari for your adventure!

Emma Thibodeau

1 month ago

I had a great experience with the Akagera group tour that this company organizes. They are super responsive, reassuring, and helpful - ensuring your safari dreams come true! I would highly recommend them, especially if you are a solo traveller looking for a good price on a safari tour.

Ife O

1 month ago

i had an amazing time, from the start before i booked i experienced such great customer service, they were responsive, nice and didn’t mind all my 3657788 questions the day of the safari was great, our driver ahmin was a joy and very knowledgeable on the animals and their behaviors 10/10 experience would do again and highly recommended

Kevin Pineda-Hernández

1 month ago

As a solo traveller, Akagera Safari offered me the possibility to go with other solo travellers to the National Park without paying the price of a private tour. The Safari met my expectations. A good driver who knows very well his country, a delicious meal at noon, cold drinks, fruits and hundred of wild animals made the trip amazing.

Thomas Dorfer

2 months ago

Everything about this Safari worked as smoothly as you can imagine, from the initial booking to the communication, pick-up, and game drive. We booked a private safari and had an incredible time. Our driver and guide, Justus, did a fantastic job of discovering various animals during the game drive and also sharing his wealth of knowledge about them and the parc with us. We learned a great deal during this tour and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is planning on doing a Safari during their visit in Rwanda.

mai hassan

2 months ago

Best safari experience ever … guide bosco was super fun and kind.. management was very kind and supportive.. we had a great time!

Leonie Schrenker

2 months ago

the tour was amazing. Everything on time and our Guide (Innocent) did the best job ever. He’s a great driver, has a lot of knowledge about the park and really good eyes to spot the animals. Would recommend this tour to everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

Why spend two nights in Akagera?
Because the south and north offer completely different experiences.

Because one night forces you to choose. Two nights gives you both sides of the park.

The south is about the lakes and the sunset boat safari. The north is different—open plains, better visibility, and wildlife that’s most active early in the morning.

Sleeping in the north means you wake up where the animals already are.
What happens to the sunset boat ride if it rains?
You don’t miss it—we simply reschedule it.

If the weather doesn’t allow it, we reschedule the boat ride to the next morning.

It runs at 07:30 or 09:30, depending on the weather and your preference. You don’t miss the experience—it just happens under better conditions.
What animals will we see?
Expect the Big Five, plus a lot more.

Akagera is home to the Big Five, and sightings of lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos are very common.

Leopards are more elusive, but your chances improve the longer you spend in the park. You’ll also see giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and plenty of birdlife.
Do I need three days to see the north?
No—but three days means you don’t have to rush it.

Even a one-day safari can reach the north.

With two days, you can get there and even stay overnight if you leave Kigali early. With three days, you experience both the lakes and the plains without rushing.
If we stay in the south, can we still see the north?
Yes—you’ll still pass through it.
Most safaris pass through the north before exiting the park. The difference is timing. Staying in the north means you’re there at sunrise, when wildlife is most active.
Do I have to pay the full amount upfront?
No—just a small deposit to secure your booking.

We only require a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is paid on arrival.
I have read the cancellation policy but it's not clear. How long in advance do I have to cancel for a refund?
The earlier you cancel the more you get back.

Up to 1 month before: full refund
Within 1 week: 30% refund
Less than 1 week: no refund

If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you receive a full refund regardless of your travel date.
Is this a private or shared safari?
This is a fully private experience.

You’ll have your own guide and travel in a pop-up roof safari vehicle, giving you clear views while staying comfortable in changing weather.
Where do we stay in the north?
Simple, close to nature, and right where the wildlife is.

You stay at Karenge Bush Camp in the northern part of the park.

It’s a rustic setup with comfortable beds and outdoor showers and toilets that are designed to keep you connected to the environment.
Is this safari comfortable?
Comfortable enough. Simple by choice.

If you are looking for a luxury lodge experience this is not it. If you want to fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and wake up with lions outside camp, it is exactly right.
Do we have to leave Kigali by 07:00

No its not amust. Latest hour of departure is 14:00

07:00 is enough to make the most of your first day.

You you arrive mid-morning and still enjoy a full day in the park.
How many people can one tent accommodate?
Only two people are allowed to share a tent.

The package is priced for two people sharing a double tent.

Additional guests can be accommodated in a single tents.

If you'd prefer separate tents, mention it at checkout when booking the safari and we'll arrange it for an extra fee.