1 Day Akagera National Park Adventure
This 1 Day Akagera National Park Adventure is perfect for busy travelers, especially those attending conferences in Kigali. It provides an opportunity to experience an exciting game drive in Rwanda’s only savannah park, which is also the largest protected wetland in Central Africa. Akagera National Park has gone through an amazing transformation, from being on the verge of disappearing to becoming one of the best locations to experience an African safari.
Akagera National Park offers scenic beauty, with open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamps, and grassy hills. It’s a fantastic spot for spotting wildlife, as it’s home to many species adapted to savannah life. After the successful reintroduction of lions in 2015, followed by rhinos in 2017, Akagera is now one of the few places in Africa where visitors can see the famous Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos. The park also has one of Africa’s highest populations of hippos, enormous crocodiles, and a variety of other animals like the rare sitatunga. Bird lovers will be thrilled as Akagera hosts more than 520 bird species.
A day spent in Akagera is fun, breathtaking, and unforgettable, offering a chance to explore Rwanda’s only savannah park and enjoy an incredible safari adventure.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Park entry and game drive fees
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinking water during the trip
- Rental of a tourist vehicle with a professional English-speaking guide
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Souvenirs and tips
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Bank deposit transfer charges
Detailed Itinerary
Your adventure begins early in the morning with a pickup from your Kigali hotel at 5:00 am by a professional driver-guide from Iconic Africa Safaris. After a quick overview of the day’s plan, you’ll begin the scenic 2.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park. Along the way, you will pass through some of Rwanda’s beautiful landscapes and get a glimpse of local life.
Upon arrival at the park, the first stop will be at the headquarters for registration and a briefing. After this, you will set off on an exciting 4-5 hour morning game drive across the park’s savannah. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you will have the chance to spot a variety of animals. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, zebras, impalas, roan antelopes, and the smaller Klipspringer antelopes. If you’re lucky, you might also spot members of the Big Five, including lions, leopards, and buffalos.
For bird enthusiasts, Akagera is a paradise. It is home to 520 different bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, long-crested eagles, and squacco herons. As you explore the park, you’ll also enjoy its scenic beauty, where rolling hills meet swamps and lakes, creating some of the most picturesque landscapes in East Africa.
At midday, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the park, surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature. After lunch, you’ll continue exploring the park with more opportunities to spot wildlife as you make your way back towards Kigali.
The trip ends with your return to Kigali, leaving you with lasting memories of an unforgettable day in Akagera National Park. This adventure promises wildlife sightings, beautiful scenery, and a deeper connection to nature.
Best Time to Visit Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is open for visits throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to September. During this period, the weather is dry, and animals tend to gather around water sources, making them easier to spot. There’s also a short dry period from mid-December to mid-February, which is another good time for wildlife viewing.
During the wet season (March to May and October to November), the vegetation is denser, which can make spotting animals a bit more challenging. However, the park remains beautiful, and some animals still come out to be seen.
Getting to Akagera National Park
Most visitors to Rwanda arrive through Kigali International Airport (KGL), located just outside the capital city, Kigali. From Kigali, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive (around 110 km or 68 miles) to reach Akagera National Park. The roads are well-maintained, but Rwanda has a country-wide speed limit of 60 km per hour, so the journey might take a bit longer than expected.
Akagera is typically visited as part of a larger tour of Rwanda. Most visitors book a 4×4 tour that includes a driver-guide to take them through the park and ensure they make the most of their safari experience.