Rwanda safari: what a trip to Akagera covers
Akagera is the savanna and wetland park in eastern Rwanda. A safari here is a game drive in a vehicle, often with a boat trip on Lake Ihema added. Gorilla trekking is not part of it, because the mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National Park. The RDB runs Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes as separate parks, each with its own fees and booking.
The park lies 110 km from Kigali, about 2 to 2.5 hours by road, so many Rwanda tours go as a day trip. Others stay one or more nights. Park fees, the vehicle, the guide and activities are separate items, and a good listing says which of them the tour price covers. Prices below are for 2026 and the 2026–2027 tariff.
Our picks: Rwanda safari tours
A day safari is the simplest way to see Akagera from Kigali. The three-day tour adds Nyungwe for chimpanzees, while the balloon flight and the birdwatching day suit a specific interest.
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.
3-day Akagera and Nyungwe safari with chimp tracking
- Chimpanzee permit
- Canopy walk
- Meals and lodging
Akagera on day one, a transfer to Nyungwe on day two, chimpanzees and the canopy walk on day three. Visa and flights are extra.
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Akagera and Nyandungu birdwatching day
- Local bird guide
- Park entry
- Binoculars
Birdwatching in Akagera and the Nyandungu wetland on the same day, with breakfast and lunch. What you see depends on the day.
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2-day Akagera safari with a night camping
- Tent and sleeping bag
- Kigali transfers
- Picnic or hot lunch
Two days of game drives in a 4x4, with a night in a tent in the park. Park entry is extra unless you pick it as an option.
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Hot air balloon flight over Akagera with breakfast
- Balloon flight with pilot
- Bush breakfast
- Flight insurance
Transfers start at hotels near the park, so plan your own trip from Kigali. Ask whether park entry is included before you book.
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One-day Akagera wildlife safari from Kigali
- Private 4x4
- Kigali hotel or airport transfer
- Lunch and drinks
A private 4x4 with a driver-guide, with or without a pop-up roof depending on the option. Park entry and the boat on Lake Ihema come only with the matching option.
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1-day Akagera safari in an open 4x4
- Park entry
- Open Land Cruiser
- Picnic lunch
Pick-up and return in Kigali, a guide and a picnic lunch come with the price. The boat trip on Lake Ihema costs extra.
Check availability →Rwanda safari tours to Akagera
Day trips from Kigali, game drives, boat trips and multi-day safaris in Akagera, with live prices and availability.
Rwanda safari tours compared
What each kind of trip is and what the park charges. 2026–2027 tariff, USD per person unless stated.
| Trip | What it is | Park price in 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip from Kigali | Drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours each way, game drive in the south | Entry $100 for an adult international visitor, plus vehicle | Day visit ends at 18:00 |
| Park vehicle with guide | Driver and guide in a park vehicle | $200 half day, $350 full day, per vehicle | Up to 7 guests, picked up in the south |
| Boat trip on Lake Ihema | Hippos, crocodiles and water birds | $35 adult and $20 child, sunset $45 and $30 | Starts at 07:30, 09:00, 15:00 and 16:30 |
| Night drive | Guided drive after dark | $40 adult, $25 child | About 2.5 hours, start 17:30 |
| Stay in the park | Camping or a park-run lodge or camp | Camping $25 adult and $15 child per night | Entry for the second and third night is half price |
For most first visits, a day trip with a game drive and one boat trip is enough to get a feel for the park. Stay a night if you also want the night drive, and read about the options on the day trip page and the night drive page.
Rwanda tours: what to check before you book
The same trip can be priced in different ways.
Is park entry included?
Entry is charged per person, and it does not cover the vehicle, a guide or activities. Check the listing: it should say whether park fees are in the price. Rates are on the park fees page.
Who drives and who guides?
On some tours a driver-guide takes you around the park. On others you have your own car. A park vehicle with driver and guide costs $200 for half a day or $350 for a full day for up to 7 guests.
Pick-up and return times
The drive from Kigali is about 2 to 2.5 hours, and the return can take longer with traffic. Official travel advice recommends driving between towns by day, so do not plan on a late arrival in Kigali.
Group price or price per person
A private boat is $200 for up to 11 people, and a park vehicle is priced per vehicle. Neither is a price per person. Divide before you compare.
Walking and gorillas
The guided Walk the Line follows the fence outside the park. Gorilla trekking belongs to a different park. See the guide to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Akagera in a Rwanda trip
How the park fits next to the forest and the capital.
Rwanda tours often pair the savanna with other parks. For the forest in the southwest, see Nyungwe National Park. For the capital and the road east, start with the getting there page and the page on Rwamagana and Kayonza. This site stays with Akagera and the places you can reach from it. Wildlife, rhinos and the Big Five have their own pages: the Big Five, the rhinos and the wildlife and birds.
Rwanda safari: frequently asked questions
How long should a Rwanda safari in Akagera be?
A day trip is possible because the park is about 2 to 2.5 hours from Kigali. More time lets you add a boat trip, a night drive and a second game drive. The entry fee for the second and third night inside the park is half the base rate.
How much does an Akagera tour cost?
That depends on what the price includes. Park entry for an adult international visitor is $100 for one day, a park vehicle is $200 or $350 per vehicle, and a boat trip is $35 for an adult. Tour prices add transport and a guide, so check what is included.
Can I see gorillas on an Akagera tour?
No. Gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, not in Akagera. Akagera is the place for game drives and boat trips.
Are lions and rhinos guaranteed?
No. Both live in the park, but a sighting is never guaranteed. Good chances come with time and a guide. More on the Big Five page.
Do Rwanda tours include a visa?
A visa is arranged separately from the park trip. A single-entry tourist visa on arrival costs $50 for 30 days, and your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. Citizens of some countries are exempt, so check your own.