Akagera night drive at a glance
The Akagera night drive is a guided evening drive run by the park. It starts at 17:30 and takes about 2.5 hours, and you are back around 20:00 to 20:30. It runs in the south and on the northern plains, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
Night driving is part of the guided programme only. The regular self-drive day runs from 06:00 to 18:00, and a night drive on your own is not part of the offer. If you want to see the park by day too, start with our Akagera safari guide.
Our picks: night drive and park activities
The two-day tour and the four-day trip include a night drive, while the headquarters visit is a separate daytime activity for anyone curious about the conservation work. Check which activity a tour includes before you book.
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.
Akagera safari with a visit to park headquarters
- Park entry
- Park headquarters visit
- Private transport
A private day with an official behind-the-scenes visit to the park headquarters and a community cultural experience.
Check availability →
4-day Akagera Big Five safari with boat cruise
- Private 4WD and guide
- Lake Ihema boat trip
- Picnic lunch
Two park days with a night drive and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, then the road back to Kigali. Park entry, hotels and dinners are extra.
Check availability →
2-day Akagera safari with a night drive
- Night game drive
- Lake Ihema boat trip
- All meals
Transfers from Kigali and one night in a lodge or camp near the park, in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof. Park entry comes only if you choose that option.
Check availability →Akagera safaris with a night drive
Multi-day Akagera safaris that include an evening game drive, plus day trips from Kigali, with live prices and availability.
Park activities compared, 2026 to 2027
Prices in US dollars, per person unless stated. Children up to 5 years pay nothing.
| Activity | Length | Adult | Child | Minimum group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night drive | About 2.5 hours, from 17:30 | $40 | $25 | 2 guests |
| Behind the Scenes | 1.5 hours | $25 | $15 | 4 guests |
| Walk the Line | About 2 hours, 7 km | $30 | $20 | 3 guests |
| Sport fishing, Lake Shakani | Per day | $25 | $15 | – |
| Boat trip, Lake Ihema | About 1 to 1.5 hours | $35 | $20 | 2 guests |
A group price of $180 applies to Behind the Scenes from eight guests. This is a price for the group, not per person. Check the current amount before you pay. Park entry is separate, so add it to the activity fee.
Which one for most visitors? If you stay a night in or near the park, add the night drive and the boat trip. Walk the Line and Behind the Scenes suit travellers who want a slower look at the conservation work, and both need a minimum group, so ask about your date.
Night drive: who can join and how many
The night drive is offered to guests who spend the night. The group is 2 to 7 or up to 12 guests, so ask the reception for the group size on your date. Price and start time are the same in the south and on the northern plains.
The night drive shows you the park after the regular day hours end at 18:00. As always, there is no guarantee for a particular species, so treat every sighting as a bonus.
Akagera behind the scenes, walking and fishing
The other activities are separate from the night drive.
Akagera Behind the Scenes
A visit to the park headquarters with a look at the conservation work. It is not a night walk. The visit lasts 1.5 hours and needs at least four guests.
Akagera Walk the Line
A guided walk along the fence, outside the park. It covers 7 km in about two hours and needs at least three guests. The fence runs for 120 km along the southern and western boundary of the park. It is a guided walk, not a route you walk on your own.
Akagera walking safari and rhino walks
The park also offers walking safaris, and in 2025 it began guided rhino walks with specialist trackers. Ask the reception about the current route, price and minimum age before you plan around a walk.
Akagera fishing
Sport fishing is for visitors on the shore of Lake Shakani. You bring your own gear, and your catch can be prepared at the campsite. The lake for the boat trip is Lake Ihema, so do not mix the two up.
Booking park activities
The steps for the night drive and the other activities.
Ask the reception
Activities are booked through the park reception. You get an invoice or an online payment link, and the booking is confirmed after payment.
Name the details
Send your name, phone number, the activity with date and time, the number of guests and the ages of children.
Pay
Accepted are MTN MoMo, DPO, bank transfer, and Visa or Mastercard. For bookings more than a week ahead, the park asks for a bank transfer.
Add your stay
Pickup and drop-off for the night drive are at your accommodation. See where to stay in Akagera for camps and lodges by area.
Plan the rest of your Akagera visit
What goes with the evening drive.
Akagera night drive: frequently asked questions
How much is the Akagera night drive?
In 2026 to 2027 the night drive costs $40 for adults and $25 for children. Children up to 5 years pay nothing. Park entry is charged separately.
What time does the night drive start?
It starts at 17:30 and takes about 2.5 hours, with a return around 20:00 to 20:30. The pickup and return are at your accommodation.
Can I drive in the park at night by myself?
No. The regular self-drive day ends at 18:00. The night drive is a guided activity only, so book it through the park.
Is Walk the Line a night walk?
No. Walk the Line is a daytime walk of about 2 hours and 7 km along the fence, outside the park. Behind the Scenes is a headquarters visit, not a night walk either.
Can I go fishing in Akagera?
Yes, from the shore of Lake Shakani, with your own gear, for $25 per adult and $15 per child per day in 2026 to 2027. Ask the reception about current rules for the catch.
Where does the night drive take place?
In the south and on the northern plains, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation. Price and start time are the same in both areas.