Akagera boat trip on Lake Ihema at a glance
The Akagera boat trip runs on Lake Ihema in the south of the park. It is an organized wildlife outing from the water, with hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds along the shore. Scheduled trips leave four times a day, and a private boat can be arranged outside the timetable.
The boat ticket is a separate activity fee. Park entry does not include it, so add it to your entry fee when you plan the day. If you are driving from the capital, the Akagera day trip from Kigali shows how a boat ride can fit into one long day.
Our picks: Lake Ihema boat trips
All three include the boat on Lake Ihema. The day safari with park entry in the price is the simplest way to add it, and the two-day tour suits you if you want more time in the park. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day Akagera safari with park entry and boat
- Park entry
- Lake Ihema boat trip
- Meals and drinks
Guided game drives over two days, with transport from and back to Kigali. Accommodation is extra, so plan your own night near the park.
Check availability →
Akagera day trip with game drive and Lake Ihema boat
- Lake Ihema boat trip
- Game drive
- Picnic lunch
Hotel pick-up and return in Kigali, a driver-guide and soft drinks. Ask whether park entry is included before you book.
Check availability →Akagera day safari with boat trip and park entry
- Park entry
- Lake Ihema boat trip
- Morning and afternoon game drives
Transfers from your Kigali accommodation, lunch at Lake Mihindi, a visit to a community arts centre and an explanation of how the park was restored.
Check availability →Akagera boat trips and safaris with a boat ride
Day trips from Kigali and multi-day safaris that include a Lake Ihema boat ride, with live prices and availability.
Boat trip prices and times 2026 to 2027
Prices in US dollars. Children aged 6 to 12 pay the child price, and children up to 5 years pay nothing.
| Trip | Departure | Adult | Child 6 to 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning trip | 07:30 (about 07:30–08:30) | $35 | $20 |
| Morning trip | 09:00 (about 09:00–10:00) | $35 | $20 |
| Afternoon trip | 15:00 (about 15:00–16:00) | $35 | $20 |
| Sunset trip | 16:30 (about 1 to 1.5 hours, until about 18:00) | $45 | $30 |
| Private boat, smaller | Outside the timetable, often 10:30–13:30 | $200 per boat, up to 11 people | – |
| Private boat, larger | Outside the timetable, often 10:30–13:30 | $360 per boat, about 16 to 18 people | – |
Scheduled trips may need at least two guests; ask when you book. The sunset trip lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, so keep the time free until 18:00. The larger private boat holds about 16 to 18 people, so ask for the exact number when you book. Check the current amount before you pay.
Which one for most visitors? For most first visits, a scheduled trip at $35 is the simple choice. Pick the sunset trip if you want the late light and accept $10 more. A group of six or more adults pays less for the smaller private boat ($200) than for six scheduled tickets ($210).
Hippos and Nile crocodiles on the lake
Hippos are the main reason to book the boat. The trip is made for watching hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds, and you see them from the water instead of from a vehicle.
Sightings are never guaranteed. Animals move, the light changes and the lake looks different from one trip to the next. Treat the boat as a good chance to see hippos, not a promise.
Swimming is not part of the offer. Do not swim in the lake, because hippos and crocodiles live there.
Water birds on Lake Ihema
Water birds are part of the trip. Watching from the water gives you a different view than a drive along the shore. Bring binoculars if you have them.
The shoebill is a different matter. It occurs in the wetlands at Lake Rwanyakazinga, not on the Ihema boat trip, and it is rare. Do not book the boat expecting to see one. For the full bird list, see our Akagera wildlife guide.
Booking and paying for the boat trip
How the park handles activities in 2026 to 2027.
Book through the park reception
Activities are booked through the park reception. After you send your request, you receive an invoice or an online payment link, and the booking is confirmed after payment.
What to send
Give your name, phone number, the activity with date and time, the number of guests and the ages of children. If your tickets include park entry, add your residency status, the number of vehicles and how long you stay.
Payment options
Accepted are MTN MoMo, DPO, bank transfer, and Visa or Mastercard. If you book more than a week ahead, the park asks for payment by bank transfer.
Entry is separate
An international adult pays $100 for one day of entry, plus the boat ticket. See Akagera park fees for the full table and the vehicle charges.
Fishing is on another lake
Do not mix up Lake Ihema and Lake Shakani.
The boat trip is for watching wildlife. Sport fishing for visitors takes place from the shore of Lake Shakani, where you bring your own gear and pay $25 for adults or $15 for children per person per day (2026 to 2027). Other park activities, including the night drive, are on our page about Akagera night drives and other activities.
Plan the rest of your Akagera visit
Where the boat trip fits.
Akagera boat trip: frequently asked questions
How much is the boat trip on Lake Ihema?
In 2026 to 2027 the scheduled morning and afternoon trips cost $35 for adults and $20 for children aged 6 to 12. The sunset trip costs $45 and $30. A private boat costs $200 for up to 11 people or $360 for about 16 to 18 people. Children up to 5 years pay nothing.
What time are the boat trips?
Scheduled trips leave at 07:30, 09:00, 15:00 and 16:30. A private boat can go outside the timetable, often between 10:30 and 13:30.
How long does the boat trip last?
The morning and afternoon trips take about an hour. The sunset trip runs from 16:30 to about 18:00 and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, so keep the time free until then.
Will I see hippos?
Your chances are good, because hippos and Nile crocodiles live on the lake. No trip can promise a particular animal, and the shoebill in particular is rare.
Is the boat ticket included in the park entry?
No. Entry and the boat ticket are separate. On guided day tours, check whether the listing says the boat or the entry fee is included.
Can I swim in Lake Ihema?
No. Swimming is not part of the offer, and hippos and Nile crocodiles live in the lake.