Destinations · Eastern Rwanda
Akagera National Park: Big Five Safaris in Rwanda
Akagera National Park, in the east of Rwanda, is the country’s only Big Five park, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra and hippo. Park entry costs US$100 per person for one night or US$150 for two, the drive from Kigali takes about 2½ hours, and June to September is the best season, with good wildlife all year. We plan private game drives, Lake Ihema boat safaris and night drives here.
At a glance
Akagera National Park in Brief
The key facts we share with every traveller. Park and activity fees may change, so we confirm the current rate when we quote.
US$100 / US$150
Park entry
Per person, for one night or two nights in the park.
About US$45
Lake Ihema boat trip
Per person, among hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
About 2½ hours
From Kigali
By road, heading east. An easy contrast to the forests.
June to September
Best season
The driest months, with good wildlife all year.
01 — Game drives
Game Drives in Rwanda's Only Big Five Park
Akagera is Rwanda’s savannah: rolling plains, lakes and papyrus swamps. In the south, game drives wind through the lakes and woodland. A full day heading north takes you to the open plains, where elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra are often seen, and lion and rhino with luck.
You explore in your own private 4×4 with an English-speaking Rwandan driver-guide, so you set the pace and stop where you like. Tsetse flies are attracted to dark blue and black, so wear light, neutral colours.
Best for
Big Five, savannah game drives
Park entry
US$100 for 1 night, US$150 for 2 nights
From Kigali
About 2½ hours by road
02 — On the water and after dark
Lake Ihema Boat Safari and Night Drives
A boat trip on Lake Ihema brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and water birds, and we usually time it for sunset. It costs about US$45 per person.
After dark, an optional night game drive looks for leopard and hyena, for about US$40 per person. Many guests pair Akagera with chimpanzees in Nyungwe or gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, for a trip that moves from savannah to rainforest.
Lake Ihema boat trip
About US$45 per person
Night game drive
About US$40, optional
Look out for
Hippo, crocodile, water birds, leopard, hyena
03 — Where to stay
Lodges in Akagera National Park
Our Akagera trips use Akagera Game Lodge or similar. Two nights is ideal: an afternoon drive and Lake Ihema on arrival, a full day in the north, and an early drive before heading back to Kigali.
For a luxury stay, we quote Magashi on request, with rates confirmed directly with the lodge. Every journey keeps your own vehicle and English-speaking Rwandan driver-guide from arrival to departure.
Mid-range
Akagera Game Lodge or similar
Luxury, on request
Magashi
Ideal stay
2 nights
Akagera safaris
Private Akagera Safaris from Kigali
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included where listed. Solo travellers, larger groups and luxury lodges are priced on request.
3 days
Akagera Big Five Safari
Game drives, a full day on the northern plains and Lake Ihema at sunset. From US$1,100 per person.
5 days
Savannah and Rainforest
Akagera game drives, Nyanza and Nyungwe chimpanzees. From US$1,950 per person.
7 days
The Rwanda Grand Journey
Kigali, Akagera, Volcanoes and Lake Kivu, from east to west. From US$4,200 per person.
Good to know
Akagera National Park: Frequently Asked Questions
In the east of Rwanda, about 2½ hours by road from Kigali. It is a landscape of rolling savannah, lakes and papyrus swamps, quite different from the forests in the west.
Yes. Akagera is Rwanda’s only Big Five park, home to lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, as well as giraffe, zebra and hippo. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra are often seen on the northern plains; lion, rhino and leopard take more luck.
US$100 per person for one night and US$150 for two nights. The Lake Ihema boat trip is about US$45 and an optional night game drive about US$40. Fees may change, so we reconfirm them before we quote.
Two nights is ideal: an afternoon game drive and boat trip on arrival, a full day in the north of the park, and an early drive before returning to Kigali. Our 3 Days Akagera Big Five Safari follows this plan.
June to September, the driest months, is the best season for game viewing, but wildlife is good all year.
Yes. Our 7 Days Rwanda Grand Journey includes Akagera, gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu, and we can add Akagera to most private itineraries.
Plan your trip: read our guides to the best time to visit Rwanda, how many days you need, what a safari costs and visa requirements. Combine Akagera with the mountain gorillas, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.
Written by the Epic Rwanda Safaris team in Kigali. Park fees checked October 2026; fees may change.
Begin the journey
Plan Your Akagera Safari with a Rwandan Team
Share your dates and who is travelling. We arrange your park entry, guide, vehicle and lodges, and reply to every enquiry within 24 hours, or message us on WhatsApp.