💬
HomeServicesGalleryNewsReviewsContactStaff LoginBook Now
Home  /  Services  /  Akagera Safari
Akagera National Park  ·  Eastern Rwanda

Safari in
Akagera

—Safari on consultation
Big 5All spotted here
1,122km² park size
500+Bird species
Book SafariView Packages
📍
Location
Eastern Rwanda
🚗
From Kigali
2.5 hours
🦁
Wildlife
Big Five
⛵
Boat Safari
Lake Ihema
📅
Open
Year-Round
Elephant Akagera
🐘
../images/services/akagera-overview.jpg
Portrait · 600×800px
Lion Akagera
🦁
akagera-overview2.jpg
Square · 400×400px
Africa's Greatest Comeback Story

Rwanda's Only Savanna Park

Akagera National Park is one of the most extraordinary conservation success stories in Africa. Covering 1,122 km² of savanna, woodland, lakes, and wetlands in eastern Rwanda, it is home to the Big Five — lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos — alongside zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and over 500 bird species.

Lions were reintroduced in 2015 after being absent for 20 years. Black rhinos returned in 2017. Today the park thrives under the management of African Parks — one of the most successful wildlife conservation partnerships on the continent. Manoir provides expert guided game drives, boat safaris, and complete lodge packages.

Big Five spotted in the park
Morning & evening game drives
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
Night drives available
4WD vehicle & expert guide
Lodges inside the park
What You Will See

Akagera's Wildlife

Lion
🦁
animal-lion.jpg
African Lion
Reintroduced 2015
Elephant
🐘
animal-elephant.jpg
African Elephant
Large herds
Rhino
🦏
animal-rhino.jpg
Black Rhino
Reintroduced 2017
Buffalo
🐃
animal-buffalo.jpg
Cape Buffalo
Large herds
Zebra
🦓
animal-zebra.jpg
Burchell's Zebra
Common sighting
Giraffe
🦒
animal-giraffe.jpg
Masai Giraffe
Tallest in Rwanda
Hippo
🦛
animal-hippo.jpg
Hippo
Lake Ihema
Shoebill Stork
🦜
animal-shoebill.jpg
Shoebill Stork
Rare & prehistoric
Photo Gallery

Akagera Through Our Lens

Elephant herd
🐘
akagera1.jpg
Tall portrait
Elephant Herd at Dawn
Lion
🦁
akagera2.jpg
Lion — Akagera
Lake Ihema
🌊
akagera3.jpg
Lake Ihema Boat Safari
Zebras
🦓
akagera4.jpg
Zebras at Dusk
Giraffe
🦒
akagera5.jpg
Masai Giraffe
Hippos
🦛
akagera6.jpg
Hippos — Lake Ihema
Akagera sunset
🌅
akagera7.jpg
Akagera Rhino
Rhino
🦏
akagera8.jpg
Black Rhino
Akagera sunset
➕
Add more photos
akagera9.jpg etc.
View Full Gallery →
Watch & Experience

Akagera Safari in Motion

Choose Your Safari

Akagera Safari Packages

Day Trip
Day Safari
On request
per person · 1 day
  • Morning game drive (4 hours)
  • Boat safari on Lake Ihema
  • Park entry fees included
  • Expert guide & 4WD vehicle
  • Packed lunch at the lake
  • Return transport from Kigali
Book Day Safari
Most Popular
✦ 2 Days
Immersive Safari
On request
per person · 2 days, 1 night
  • Two full game drives (dawn & dusk)
  • Boat safari on Lake Ihema
  • Night drive (Big Five after dark)
  • 1 night at Ruzizi Tented Lodge
  • All meals included
  • Private guide & exclusive 4WD
  • All park fees & transport
Book 2-Day Safari
✦✦ 3 Days
Big Five Quest
On request
per person · 3 days, 2 nights
  • 4 game drives across 3 days
  • Night drive & boat safari
  • 2 nights Akagera Game Lodge
  • All meals & drinks
  • Bush breakfast in the wild
  • Dedicated private guide throughout
  • Conservation briefing by rangers
Book 3-Day Quest
Need to Know

Practical Information

🌅
Game Drive Tips
  • Morning drives (06:00–10:00) offer the best sightings
  • Lions are most active at dawn and dusk
  • Full-day drives include lakeside picnic lunch
  • Evening drives catch spectacular Akagera sunsets
  • 4WD vehicles only inside the park
  • Stay inside the vehicle at all times unless at designated stops
🎒
What to Bring
  • Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
  • Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Sunglasses and binoculars
  • Camera with zoom lens (100–400mm ideal)
  • Insect repellent — essential at dusk
  • Light jacket for early morning drives
🌦
Best Time to Visit
  • June–September: Long dry season — best sightings, dry roads
  • December–January: Short dry season — excellent conditions
  • March–May: Green and lush — fewer tourists, lower prices
  • October–November: Short rains — good value, manageable
  • Akagera is a year-round destination — animals always present
🏕️
Accommodation Inside the Park
  • Ruzizi Tented Lodge — lakeside tented camp, mid-range
  • Akagera Game Lodge — comfortable hillside lodge
  • Magashi Camp (exclusive) — ultra-luxury tented
  • All lodges managed by African Parks
  • Booking through Manoir gets preferred rates
  • Day trippers return to Kigali same evening
Traveler Stories

What Our Guests Say

★★★★★
Akagera at sunrise watching lions with morning coffee. We saw all Big Five in two days. Our Manoir guide knew every animal's territory. Nothing short of magical.
Jean-Pierre & Amélie
🇫🇷 France · February 2025
★★★★★
The boat safari was incredible — hippos everywhere and our guide spotted a shoebill stork. I've been on safari in Kenya and Tanzania and Akagera holds its own. Manoir organised everything perfectly.
Kevin & Wanjiru
🇰🇪 Kenya · January 2025
★★★★★
The night drive was a highlight I hadn't expected. Lions, hyenas, and a leopard spotted by spotlight. Ruzizi Lodge was beautiful. This is the best safari in East Africa for the price.
Tom & Alice
🇦🇺 Australia · December 2024
Read All Reviews →
Common Questions

Akagera Safari FAQ

Is the Big Five guaranteed to be seen?
+
No wildlife sighting is ever 100% guaranteed in nature — but Akagera has an excellent track record. Our guides know the park intimately and can locate lions, elephants, and rhinos with high consistency. Multi-day safaris dramatically increase your chances of seeing all five.
Do I need a 4WD to visit Akagera?
+
All vehicles inside the park must be 4WD — this is a park regulation and is for your safety. Our safari vehicles are all 4WD Land Cruisers or similar. If you are renting a car for self-drive, we strongly recommend the Land Cruiser V8 or Prado for Akagera.
Can I do a day trip from Kigali?
+
Yes — Akagera is approximately 2.5 hours from Kigali. Our day safari departs at 5:30 AM, includes a morning game drive and Lake Ihema boat safari, and returns to Kigali by 7–8 PM. A long but very rewarding day. Overnight stays give you much more time and better wildlife opportunities.
Is Akagera safe for children?
+
Akagera is very family-friendly. There is no minimum age requirement (unlike gorilla trekking). Children love the open savanna, the zebras and giraffes, and especially the boat safari which is calm and very safe. We recommend packing snacks and sun protection for young ones.

Ready for the African Safari?

Book your Akagera Safari today. Our team will handle all permits, transport, and accommodation. No commitment required to enquire.

Book Safari Now💬 WhatsApp Us