Iteneraly of  2 Days Akagera national park Safari

Day 1: Kigali to Akagera – Boat Safari on Lake Ihema & Night Game Drive

Your journey begins with an early departure from Kigali at 08:30 AM, heading east toward Akagera National Park. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a brief and refreshing stop at the Imigongo Art Centre and Café, a charming cultural stop known for its unique cow dung artwork and locally crafted souvenirs. This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs, browse the art gallery, enjoy a quick coffee, and make use of the facilities before continuing your scenic drive.

By around 12:00 PM, you’ll arrive at the park entrance to complete the registration formalities. Shortly after, you’ll proceed to Akagera Game Lodge, where a delicious lunch awaits as you take in panoramic views of the surrounding savannah. After lunch, the adventure continues with a drive through the park en route to Lake Ihema, the park’s largest lake and the second-largest in Rwanda. Here, you’ll embark on a peaceful and captivating boat safari, offering an up-close view of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species along the shoreline—an experience that blends both excitement and tranquility.

Following the boat ride, you’ll check in at the lodge and have time to freshen up before heading out again at 5:30 PM for an exhilarating evening/night game drive. As the sun sets, your expert guide will lead you through the park in search of nocturnal wildlife such as hyenas, bush babies, and possibly leopards, offering a rare glimpse into the park’s nighttime ecosystem. Return to the lodge for dinner by 9:00 PM, place your order for the next day’s picnic lunch, and settle in for a restful night in preparation for the full-day safari to come.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park – Return to Kigali

After an early breakfast, check out and be ready by 07:30 AM for pick-up by your Universal Ventures Rwanda driver-guide. With picnic lunch in hand, you’ll set off for a thrilling full-day game drive through Akagera National Park, one of Africa’s most scenic and wildlife-rich savannah reserves. Throughout the day, you’ll explore different ecosystems—rolling grasslands, lake shores, wetlands, and woodlands—as you search for the park’s diverse wildlife.

Akagera is home to a wide variety of animals including buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas, and more. Notably, black rhinos and lions, once extinct in the park, have been successfully reintroduced in recent years. Although sightings of these rare species are not always guaranteed due to their elusive nature, your guide will do their best to track them down during your exploration. In addition to mammals, the park also hosts an impressive array of birdlife and scenic views of lakes such as Mihindi and Hago, which make for excellent photography opportunities.

As the day winds down, you’ll exit the park and begin the return journey to Kigali. Expect to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, at which point you’ll be dropped off at your hotel, the airport, or any preferred location within Kigali city—marking the end of your unforgettable 2-day Akagera safari adventure.