Rwanda Wildlife Safari: The four-day adventure takes you to Akagera National Park, one of the few savannah parks in Africa where you get to see the Big five without switching park gates. The Park is about 1122-square-kilometers, home to black and white rhinos, Lions, the elephant, buffalo and the shy leopard. Get close to Wildlife and Birds while on Lake Ihema boat cruise and escorted walking safaris.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Arrive via Kigali International Airport – Overnight in Kigali
Day 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial, drive to Akagera National Park
Day 3: Game Drive and Afternoon boat ride – Akagera National Park.
Day 4: Akagera National Park – Kigali.
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive via Kigali International Airport– Overnight in Kigali
Welcome to Rwanda! Adventure Consults Airport representatives will meet and assist you through customs. Collect the luggage and meet your personal/private guide for a transfer to the hotel.
Depending on arrival time, you may have a detailed briefing on your safari today/tonight or tomorrow before starting the safari.
Overnight accommodation is included on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Most hotels are about 25 minutes’ drive from the airport.
Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Exclusions: All meals and drinks.
Day 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial, drive to Akagera National Park.- Approx. 4 hours.
Meet your driver at the lobby for a briefing on your safari.
Available option for Kigali city tour before heading out to Akagera National Park.
A trip to Rwanda would be incomplete without a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial! The memorial is a center of education, and peacebuilding and honors the memory of more than one million Rwandans who were killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished and provide a powerful educational tool for all.
The exhibition is shocking, provoking and attempts to piece together the causes and events of the three-month genocide which destroyed Rwanda in 1994. Thousands of first-hand accounts are documented, and personal film footage and photography are showcased, illustrating the collection of events in a simple and striking way. No doubt, 99.9% of the Rwandan population were affected by the horrific violence of the genocide, a dark past that makes the present friendliness and goodwill of the country’s locals more inspiring.
Have a cup of coffee and start for Akagera National Park. Lunch en-route with stops at places of interest for scenic viewing and photography, proceed to the lodge arriving late afternoon.
Rwanda’s only Savannah Park is on the furthest Eastern border of the country, where the typically hilly countryside gives way to the savannas of the Great Rift Valley. Dominated by savannah grassland, woodland, Lakes, forest, swamps and marshland, the area boasts a huge compliment of nature and wildlife that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. The Protected Area is a unique natural habitat and home to big game such as Lions, Hippos, Masai giraffes, African bush elephants, Zebras, Buffaloes, Common elands, Topis, as well as lots of primates and a plethora of Bird species.
Check-in and later relax at the lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive. In the evening, you have an option for a sundowner while taking in panoramic views across the scattered grasslands.
Meals and Overnight at the lodge/Hotel.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
Some lodges/hotels include all drinks (but excludes premium drinks), and others do not.
Day 3: Game Drive and Afternoon boat ride (Akagera National Park)
Our private game drive excursion will take you to an exploration of the park’s plains, hills and end towards the lake side. You will be rewarded with lots of game, Birds, and amazing scenery.
Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon is scheduled for a 3pm private boat ride along the shores of Lake Ihema. Rwanda’s second largest lake offers opportunities for wildlife viewing at very close range. The motorized luxury small boats get close to the lake shores for the best Birding experiences.
While on a boat trip in Akagera National park, both small and big animals come close to you as they bask by shores, drink and cool off. The best way to get close to the Nile crocodiles and large pods of hippos is by taking a boat ride on Lake Ihema. Meals and
Overnight at the lodge/Hotel.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).
Some lodges/hotels include all drinks (but excludes premium drinks), and others do not.
Day 4: Akagera National Park – Kigali. App. 3 hours.
A relaxed morning and later start for Kigali. Depending on your return flight schedule, you may need a day room in Kigali (on payment of supplement), and later transfer to the airport in time for your international return flight.
Check-in for international flights out of Kigali international airport is normally 3 hours in advance. Ensure your flight is anytime later but not earlier than 1300 hours.
Accommodation
Rwanda has got a variety of accommodation categories that provide visitors with different choices depending on personal interest and budget. Being a Holiday, Adventure Consults never dictates where one should stay hence always left to be an individual’s preferred choice.
Here are some of the recommended options.
Accommodation in Kigali City; Kigali has got a variety of hotels to cater for large groups, small boutique hotels with limited rooms and commercial hotels ranging from high end, midrange to budget. Kigali hotels are all on Bed & Breakfast basis.
- The Retreat by Heaven.
- Kigali Serena Hotel.
- Hotel des Mille Collines.
- Kigali Marriott Hotel.
- Four Points by Sheraton.
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center.
Accommodation in Akagera National Park: We have carefully chosen accommodation options ranging from high-end, midrange and budget. They all include Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Standard and extra inclusions differ depending on category chosen.
- Magashi Luxury Camp
- Akagera Safari Camp
- Karenge Bush Camp
- Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
- Ruzizi Tented Lodge