3-Days Rwanda Safari – Big Five & Birdlife in Akagera National Park

Your driver-guide will pick you up in Kigali after breakfast for a scenic drive eastward to Akagera National Park, which borders Tanzania. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, passing through beautiful countryside and rural communities. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy lunch with views of the savannah or lakes.

In the afternoon, head out for your first game drive. Your guide will take you into the southern part of the park, known for its scenic hills and a variety of wildlife including giraffes, zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, and warthogs. Keep your camera ready as animals tend to gather around the watering holes during late afternoon. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay under a starry African sky.

After an early breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive through Akagera’s diverse habitats—from open grasslands and wooded savannah to swamp-fringed lakes. This is your best opportunity to spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, all of which are now present in the park thanks to successful conservation efforts.

Your guide will take you north through game-rich areas, with frequent sightings of topis, impalas, baboons, and countless bird species. Break for a picnic lunch at a scenic lookout point.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Ihema, home to hippos, crocodiles, and large flocks of waterbirds like African fish eagles, kingfishers, and jacanas. It’s a peaceful way to end the day and a favorite for photographers and birdwatchers alike.

Rise early for a short sunrise game drive, when predators are still active and wildlife is most alert. Afterward, return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and drive back to Kigali. Depending on your schedule, optional stops can be made at Imigongo Art Center or local markets en route. Drop-off at your hotel or the airport concludes your 3-day Rwanda safari experience.