Tours/Kigali/One-day Akagera National Park Game Drive with a Choice 4x4
Viator · Private tour

One-day Akagera National Park Game Drive with a Choice 4x4

5.0(143)Kigali1 hour
VIATOR4.9(29)TRIPADVISOR5.0(114)

Description

Leave Kigali as early as 05h00 and drive for an estimated 3.5 hours to reach Akagera National Park by 08h30. With our local and friendly tour guide, the transport is assured with a choice 4x4 car with WIFI onboard to keep you connected with your loved ones and the world (***Some spots in the park do not have connectivity***). Spend the entire day through the park to depart back to Kigali late afternoon. Akagera National Park has a diversity of wildlife including buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas and many others. After a long time being extinct, the black rhinos and lions have recently been restocked. Their sighting is always not guaranteed due to their small number and the hiding character of the black rhino. Enjoy the game drive viewing the natural habitat of different animals, birds and enjoying the view of different lakes and landscape.

Tour Options

Toyota Rav4, 4WD, No Boat Ride
  • Toyota Rav4, 4WD, No Boat Ride: Late departure possibility, No boat ride, Toyota Rav4, 4WD Private car transport, Pickup included. Pickup included
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, No Boat
  • SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, No Boat: Private transport with an SUV, Without Openable Pop Up Roof, No boat ride. Pickup included. Late departure possibility Pickup included
Toyota Rav4, 4WD, Boat Ride
  • Boat Ride in Ihema Lake: One-hour Ihema lake boat ride, enjoy the 2nd largest lake in the country and the 1st in Akagera, see crocs and hippos. Toyota Rav4, 4WD: For transport, this option uses a non-pop-up roof Toyota Rav4 4WD, Private car transport, shared boat trip. Pickup included
Pop-up Roof Safari Car, Boat
  • Pop-up Roof Safari Car Private tour: Private car transport, Open-Roof Safari Car, Boat ride shared with others. Pickup included
Popup Roof Safari Car, No Boat
  • Starting time: Late departure possibility, No boat ride, Pop-up Roof Safari Car Private car transport, Pickup included. Pickup included
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, Boat
  • SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, Boat: Private transport with an SUV, Without Openable Pop Up Roof. Pickup included

Itinerary

15 min

Mid-way: Stop-over by Imigongo Art Center and cafe for leg stretching, viewing Imigongo arts, using the washrooms. You may also opt, *not included*, to buy a cup of coffee, quick breakfast (takeaway advised for those with boat ride or late departures) or anything else there.

Admission not included360 min

Arrival at Akagera National Park, registration, picking the packed picnic lunch, departure to spend your day game driving in Akagera National Park.

Highlights

Drinking water with reusable bottles required by park. Single-use plastic bottles no longer allowed.
A driver-guide by Countryside Tours-Rwanda
Boat ride in Ihema lake, in case opted
220-240V electrical current for phones and portable devices
Akagera Transit Lodge picnic lunch
Opted transport: Pop-up roof safari vehicle, Non-Pop Up Roof SUV, Toyota Rav4 4WD or similar
Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city and Kigali International Airport

What's included

Included
Drinking water with reusable bottles required by park. Single-use plastic bottles no longer allowed.
A driver-guide by Countryside Tours-Rwanda
Boat ride in Ihema lake, in case opted
220-240V electrical current for phones and portable devices
Akagera Transit Lodge picnic lunch
Opted transport: Pop-up roof safari vehicle, Non-Pop Up Roof SUV, Toyota Rav4 4WD or similar
Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city and Kigali International Airport
Not included
Park admission, USD 100-Internationals, USD 50-Residents & Africans, USD 15-EAC & Rwandans
Optional: Akagera National Park guide, additional fee if opted
Admission: Boat ride in Ihema lake, in case not opted
Breakfast
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions

Pickup Locations & Times

In the notes, please provide the name of the hotel for pick-up or the street number of the house (place) of pick-up in Kigali City or along the way to Akagera National Park.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
143 reviews
5
137
4
6
3
0
2
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1
0

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(143)

4
471doreeno
June 23, 2026
Best safari tour ever!

This was one of the best safari trips I’ve ever done. My tour guard, Kevin was amazing! Saw all the big 5 because he really wanted me to have the best experience. His vibes were just great!

2 people found this helpful
B
Bridget_G
April 7, 2026
One Day day- trip from Kigali to Akagera for a Safari

We had a wonderful safari! Our driver, Jean Paul, was friendly, informative, and made the long day everything we wanted it to be! He worked very hard to find our favorite animals and we saw all of the Big 5 except the leopard, which we knew was a long shot anyway. The drive was comfortable, the lunch was nice, and the views in AKAGERA National Park were extraordinary.

J
jillphilineb
March 13, 2026
Unforgettable day in Akagera with Kevin

We spend the day with Kevin and celebrated my sons birtday together. It was truly an experience of a lifetime which we will never forget. Kevin was extraordinarily kind, attentive and informative as well as very child-friendly. We spotted so many animals together and the ride was so joyful. Thank you so much.

1 people found this helpful
8
810kareeml
March 8, 2026
Rwanda safari is a must experience

Countryside tours in Rwanda with our driver Kevin was the absolute best. The ride to the park was filled with good sights of Kigali and the surrounding area and Kevin educated us along the way. Inside the park Kevin is very knowledgeable of the vast landscape and was able to show us 4 of the " big 5" , (the leopard remained elusive) along with many other animals . It was a delight

1 people found this helpful
G
GoPlaces592556
February 10, 2026
Akagera Day Trip from Kigali

We had a fantastic experience with Countryside Tours. Olivier was very helpful in answering questions and getting things booked via WhatsApp. For the tour itself, we had the excellent Kevin as our driver / guide. He arrived promptly for a smooth pickup and did a fantastic job over a very long day. He managed time perfectly to maximise our experience and get us to the airport in time. He also did an excellent job of spotting wildlife through the day and we were very impressed his incredible eyesight! Thanks for a wonderful day trip!

1 people found this helpful
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Brandon B
February 9, 2026
Akagera National Park - Wonderful Experience

My guide today was Jean Paul, and I had an amazing time on this safari, better than I could have imagined. First off, make sure to get the pop-up roof, it made the entire experience being able to see the animals and nature so clearly. The boat tour was also very fun, and I was able to see crocodiles (or alligators, I forget the difference), hippos, elephants, baboobs, zebras, and others just from the boat! Let alone the rest of the Game drive. Jean Paul was very knowledgeable about the history of Akegera and the area, as well as the animals we saw. It felt like a great balance of peaceful and quiet serenity, with many moments of excitement and visually tracking down animals. Definitely recommend a guide in this way because they are always in contact with the other guides to find out who saw what and where that day. Thanks again!

R
Roam654804
February 1, 2026
Kevin is YOUR perfect guide !

Kevin was AMAZING ! He took so much time to explain everything to me about the wildlife of every animal ! Due to bad weather I could not do the boat trip so he also asked the park and the company to refund me which shows his ethics and values. He is so passionate about what he does and he's definitely the perfect guide for your excursion !

1 people found this helpful
H
Heather_S
January 31, 2026
Life experience unlocked!

Our guide, Kevin, with Countyside Tours is an animal whisperer! We were up close and personal with elephants, lions, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and more! He is a wonderful guide who knows how and where to spot the more elusive critters. Some of the highlights include lions approaching a mixed herd of prey, bull elephants sparring, and a big daddy bull elephant coming to the lake edge to hydrate! Our group included three women from the USA. We loved the entire safari experience and service we received. Beyond the animals, Kevin stopped at a great coffee shop/pizzaria/souvenir shop on the way to and from the park; talked to us about some of the villages we passed through, and was all around knowledgeable and friendly. Yes, it’s a bumpy road but you’re in a national park, it should be expected. Highly recommend the hour boat tour add on. The bagged lunch was meh. I recommend grabbing something from your hotel or the coffee shop on the way.

V
V2458PPdiegom
January 29, 2026
I would do it again

Excellent service and excellent attention, mainly the guide who touched me, Kevin, a real genius, very friendly despite my little English made himself understood and we had good conversations

1 people found this helpful
A
Andrew R
January 16, 2026
Great tour with more animals than I could count

What an incredible trek through the park! Isaac was a great guide; he could spot animals at a great distance and get us close to have a look. The boat tour was a great addition: crocodiles, hippos, and a huge variety of birds. Everyone at the park took the time to be friendly, as well as informative. The tour company did a great job keeping me informed and answering questions. Really a lot of fun!

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