This 5-day Rwanda wildlife safari offers a complete savannah experience in Akagera National Park, the country’s only Big Five destination. The park features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, open plains, woodlands, and wetlands, making it ideal for game drives, boat cruises, birdwatching, and guided nature walks. The itinerary also includes cultural and historical visits such as the King’s Palace Museum and the Presidential Palace Museum, providing deeper insight into Rwanda’s heritage and history.

Tour Highlights

• Kigali city experience (optional on arrival)
• Visit to the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza
• Game drives in Akagera National Park
• Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
• Sport fishing experience (optional)
• Guided nature walk in the park
• Visit to the Presidential Palace Museum
• Scenic countryside views throughout the journey

Tour Summary

• Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park via King’s Palace Museum.
• Day 3: Boat Cruise and Sport Fishing in Akagera.
• Day 4: Game Drive and Nature Walk in Akagera National Park
• Day 5: Transfer back to Kigali with a Tour of the Presidential Palace.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Hotel

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. If time allows, you may enjoy a brief city tour, visiting key sites such as local markets or cultural centers. The rest of the day is reserved for relaxation after your journey. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park via King’s Palace Museum

After breakfast, depart Kigali for Akagera National Park, located in eastern Rwanda near the border with Tanzania. The drive takes approximately 2.5–3 hours. En route, stop at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza, where you will learn about Rwanda’s traditional monarchy and cultural heritage. The site features a reconstructed royal palace, traditional artifacts, and the famous long-horned Inyambo cattle. After the visit, continue your journey with a lunch stop along the way before arriving in Akagera National Park in the afternoon. Check in at your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation options:

• Luxury: Ruzizi Tented Lodge
• Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge
• Budget: Dereva Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema and Optional Sport Fishing

After an early breakfast, head to Lake Ihema for a boat cruise. This is one of the highlights of Akagera National Park, offering close views of hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species along the shoreline. Elephants and other animals are often seen coming to drink at the water’s edge. The boat cruise lasts about 2–3 hours. Afterward, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you may choose to go for sport fishing on Lake Ihema. Common catches include tilapia and catfish, and the activity offers a relaxed way to enjoy the park’s aquatic environment.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Game Drive and Guided Nature Walk

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the savannah plains of Akagera National Park. This is the best time to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, topi, antelopes, and possibly predators like lions or hyenas. After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, head out for a guided nature walk accompanied by a park ranger. This experience allows you to explore the park on foot, learn about animal tracks, plants, and birdlife, and gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Return to Kigali – Visit Presidential Palace Museum

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the drive back to Kigali, which takes approximately 2.5 hours. On arrival, visit the Presidential Palace Museum, the former residence of President Juvénal Habyarimana. The site includes preserved interiors and remnants of the presidential aircraft, offering historical context to Rwanda’s past. After the visit, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport or your hotel, marking the end of your 5-day Rwanda wildlife safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Inclusions

• Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• Park entrance fees to Akagera National Park
• Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
• Boat cruise on Lake Ihema
• Game drives and guided nature walk
• Visits to King’s Palace Museum and Presidential Palace Museum
• Airport transfers
• Bottled drinking water during the safari

Safari Exclusions

• International flights
• Rwanda visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs)
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
• Accommodation before and after the safari

End of Safari