Akagera National Park car hire is the easiest way to enjoy Rwanda’s only savannah park. On this 2-day 4×4 wildlife safari, you take game drives, cruise Lake Ihema and spend a night in the bush. Lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, elephants and hippos all offer great photo moments.
Akagera is the one park in Rwanda where you can do classic game drives in a custom safari vehicle. Moreover, conservation work with local communities has brought back lions and rhinos. As a result, the Big Five now live here again, and numbers keep growing.
2-Day Akagera National Park Car Hire Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, your driver-guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel. At the end of the trip, we drop you back at your hotel or at the airport through our Kigali airport transfers service.
The drive to Akagera National Park takes about 2.5 hours, depending on stops. The countryside is beautiful, so ask your guide to pull over for photos. On arrival, you enjoy a short game drive on the way to your lodge and check in.
After lunch, you join a boat trip on Lake Ihema. Here you can watch hippos and crocodiles in the water and along the shore. In addition, the lake is excellent for water birds such as fish eagles, kingfishers and herons.
- Journey time: about 2.5 hours
- Meal plan: lunch and dinner
- Upmarket stay: Ruzizi Tented Camp
- Mid-range stay: Akagera Game Lodge
Day 2: Full game drive and return to Kigali
You rise early and leave right after breakfast, because dawn is the best time for wildlife. Your guide searches for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and several antelope species. With luck, you also find the re-introduced lions and rhinos.
Akagera has varied habitats, from open grassland to papyrus swamps. It is also a birder’s paradise, with more than 500 species recorded. The game drive lasts about 6 hours, depending on your interests, and you carry a packed lunch.
Afterwards, you drive back to Kigali along the lake route, which often has more animals. This ends your 2-day Akagera safari.
- Meal plan: breakfast and lunch
Akagera Safari Prices
The tables below show our published per-person rates from 2019 and 2020. Prices depend on group size and lodge. Park fees are set by African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board and change, so contact us for a current quote.
Prices – 2019
| Number of people | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Price per person – Akagera Game Lodge | $1028 | $656 | $573 | $489 | $484 | $433 |
| Price per person – Ruzizi Tented Camp | $1128 | $771 | $688 | $598 | $595 | $541 |
Prices – 2020
| Number of people | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax |
| Price per person – Magashi | $1966 | $1306 | $1321 | $1130 | $1228 | $1072 |
| Price per person – Ruzizi Tented Lodge | $1196 | $795 | $712 | $619 | $618 | $560 |
| Price per person – Akagera Game Lodge | $1075 | $685 | $597 | $509 | $503 | $451 |
What the tour includes
- Ground transport in a 4WD safari vehicle
- Bottled water
- One night of full-board accommodation
- Park entrance fees
- Game drive and boat trip on Lake Ihema
- An English-speaking driver-guide
- All listed activities, except optional extras
What the tour excludes
- Extras at the lodge, such as drinks, phone calls and laundry
- Tips for porters and your driver-guide
- Travel insurance
Why Choose Akagera National Park for Your Safari?
Akagera National Park sits in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border. It mixes savannah plains, rolling hills, lakes and wetlands. Because it is so close to Kigali, it is the perfect add-on to a gorilla trip.
You can see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos and many antelope species. In the north, the open plains are best for big game. Meanwhile, the southern lakes are better for boat trips and birding.
Best time to visit
The dry months, June to September and December to February, offer the easiest game viewing. Animals gather near water, and tracks are firm. However, the green season brings lush scenery, newborn animals and great birding, so Akagera is worth a visit all year.
Self-Drive Safari in Akagera: Freedom and Flexibility
Prefer to explore on your own? A self-drive safari lets you set your own pace. Stop wherever you like, wait at a waterhole for as long as you want and take all the photos you need.
Our self-drive and camping safaris include camping equipment and clear maps. You can also hire a freelance park guide at the gate, who rides with you and knows where animals were seen recently.
Best vehicles for Akagera
- Toyota Land Cruiser Safari: pop-up roof for 360-degree game viewing
- Toyota RAV4: a budget-friendly choice for couples in the dry season
- Land Cruiser Prado: comfort and space for small families
Self-drive tips
Fill your tank in Kigali or Kayonza, because there is no fuel inside the park. Keep to the speed limit and stay on marked tracks. Also, plan to exit before the gates close in the evening.
Guided Akagera Tours: Expert Insight and Convenience
If you would rather relax, choose a guided tour or car hire with a driver. Our guides know the park well and take you to the best spots. As a result, you are less likely to miss the shy animals and hidden corners.
Guides also share stories about Akagera’s history and recovery, which adds depth to every sighting. Whether you love birding, game drives or boat trips, we shape the tour around your interests.
Optional extras
- Night game drive to spot nocturnal animals
- Behind-the-scenes conservation experience
- Sport fishing on Lake Shakani
- Community visits near the park boundary
Activity fees are set by the park and change, so ask us for current rates when you book.
What to Pack for Akagera National Park
Akagera is lower and warmer than the rest of Rwanda. Days are often hot, while early mornings on the plains feel cool. So pack light layers you can add or remove during the drive.
- Breathable long sleeves and trousers in neutral colours
- A light jacket for the early game drive and the evening boat trip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Insect repellent, because tsetse flies and mosquitoes are common
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
- Your passport, which you need at the park gate
Tips for better sightings
Avoid dark blue and black clothes, since they attract tsetse flies. Keep your voice low and switch off the engine when you stop near animals. Finally, be patient at waterholes, because the best moments often come after a long wait.
Explore Rwanda and Beyond After Akagera
Why stop at Akagera? You can easily extend your trip to other parks in Rwanda and nearby countries. For example, visit Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Or trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
For a cross-border trip, look at our Uganda and Rwanda safari packages. You can track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or enjoy the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Our 4×4 car rentals make these routes simple.
Why Book Akagera Car Hire With Us?
At 4×4 Car Rental Rwanda, we focus on well-kept vehicles and friendly, honest service. Our fleet includes customised safari jeeps and reliable 4x4s. In addition, you can collect your car at Kigali airport and start your trip straight away.
We also offer affordable tour packages, including the 7-day Rwanda gorilla tour. Browse our rental options and other wildlife tour packages to find the right fit.
For more ideas, read our blog for travel tips and safari updates.
Book Your 2-Day Akagera Safari
Whether you travel solo, as a couple or with family, we have the right vehicle and plan for you. Contact us with your dates and group size for a quick quote. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +250 725 074659.