Akagera Safari from Kigali: A Review of a Full Day Wildlife Adventure

Okay, so you’re thinking about taking a day trip from Kigali to Akagera National Park, are you? Maybe, perhaps, you are itching to glimpse some incredible wildlife and wondering if it’s actually worth the early wake-up call and time investment. Well, let’s explore my time on the ‘From Kigali Full Day Akagera Safari’ so, perhaps, I can help you make that decision.

What the Akagera Safari from Kigali Involves

First off, this safari, just so you know, is an action-packed full day excursion. Most tours will pick you up very, very early, I think around 5:00 AM or 5:30 AM, right from your hotel in Kigali. So, it’s essential that you are ready to go! It’s almost like they want to beat the city’s morning rush. From there, the drive is about two and a half to three hours, I want to say, to the southern entrance of Akagera National Park. The drive is quite scenic; you get to watch rural Rwanda wake up, very gradually transforming from darkness into a gorgeous, green landscape. It’s truly magical to behold.

After you get to Akagera, typically, you’ll spend the bulk of the day exploring the park in a 4×4 vehicle, it is hoped this way you’re better equipped to handle the terrain. The vehicles are normally open-roofed, which, honestly, enhances the game viewing experience and is a little better than just watching out a car window. Your guide, or so it is anticipated, will know the park inside and out, pointing out animals and, maybe, sharing information about the ecosystem, animal habits, and conservation efforts.

Lunch, naturally, is usually included, and it’s typically a picnic-style meal enjoyed at a designated spot within the park, and sometimes, I believe, it’s at the Akagera Game Lodge. A highlight for many, myself included, I will admit, is the optional boat ride on Lake Ihema. I think this happens in the afternoon. Cruising along the lake offers a completely different perspective, it seems, allowing you to see aquatic wildlife, maybe, such as hippos and crocodiles, plus tons of birds. So many birds! You will see loads. By the end of the day, after all the exploring and photographing, expect a drive back to Kigali, usually arriving in the evening around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, or thereabouts, that sort of time.

What I Liked Most About My Akagera Safari

What really stood out to me? I’d say the wildlife encounters and it is fair to say, those magical experiences are why one goes on safari anyway! The feeling you get seeing a giraffe gracefully crossing the road or spotting a family of elephants drinking at a waterhole is seriously unbelievable, and actually quite profound if I am, very, honest. On the day I visited, we saw, to give you an example, several types of antelope, zebras, buffalo, giraffes, plus a fantastic array of birdlife, it almost seems. It’s very diverse and impressive.

I also thought that the knowledge and passion of our guide made such a big difference. That’s the truth. This individual knew so much about the park’s flora and fauna, they could answer basically any question thrown at them, and they were skilled at spotting animals, you know, even those really, really, well camouflaged ones! Also, I have to mention the boat ride on Lake Ihema. Getting so close to hippos and crocs from the safety of the boat was, genuinely, an exciting experience. Just being out on the water, enjoying the sounds of the park from yet another perspective, offered a moment of real serenity after a day of exploring. Seriously, that’s true!

Things That Could Be Better

Okay, no trip is totally perfect, alright? It’s worth saying that some parts of the park have bumpy roads, and that can make for a somewhat less relaxing experience for a while. But hey, the roads add a sense of authentic adventure to proceedings, don’t they, really? Maybe for the future, perhaps, I’d like the option of slightly smaller groups, just so it might offer a more personalized experience. Still, on the whole, the pluses heavily outweighed any minor complaints that might exist.

So, also, is that there really isn’t much time dedicated to resting up at the lodge during lunch. By resting, you could sit in the shade or jump into the pool if it happens to be a really hot day. Though this did not bother me on the particular tour I took, I would also recommend packing mosquito repellant because Akagera has its fair share. However, there are worse problems to encounter on a safari trip.

Tips for an Amazing Akagera Day Trip

Alright, if you’re planning this day trip, let me pass on what I think is valuable experience! So, first things first: wear comfortable clothes. I’m talking lightweight, breathable fabrics that won’t feel restrictive when you are clambering in and out of the safari vehicle. Also, layers are really useful because, apparently, it can get pretty chilly in the early morning, then really quite hot later in the day.

And it’s worth protecting yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, plus sunscreen with a higher SPF, just in case! Don’t forget insect repellent too; those pesky bugs can come out in full force, particularly near the lake. A good camera or your phone to photograph it with, is almost required to capture all the wonderful wildlife sightings. Most importantly, just bring a lot of water, because you will need to stay hydrated throughout the day, very much so. Perhaps even a small backpack would be valuable so that you are able to keep water on hand.

The Optional Boat Ride: Is It Worth It?

Seriously, if you’re considering the boat ride on Lake Ihema, I would highly encourage that you just do it. Without any second thought. Honestly, it offers such a distinctive view of Akagera and its wildlife. Where else would you get quite so close to hippos basking in the water? Not many places! The birdlife is extremely impressive. Very! Birds that you probably won’t see on the game drive. I mean, just floating on the lake with the African sunset starting up? Pure magic. Don’t miss this opportunity.

However, that said, sometimes boat rides can be disrupted. We had a minor mechanical hitch that left us floating a bit too much for my liking but it was, for the record, very quickly remedied and gave us a bit of an extended view of the landscape. While some tour providers might not include the price for the boat ride on a customer’s original booking receipt, I would advise pushing your safari tour to make the ride a definite inclusion. If for some reason, they are not keen, seek another tour provider!

Would I Recommend This Akagera Safari from Kigali?

Yeah, 100 percent. This full-day Akagera safari from Kigali is definitely worth it if you’re up for an early rise, quite a long drive, and want to experience a taste of Rwandan wildlife in a condensed time period. So, the opportunity to see various animals in their habitat and, arguably, learn about conservation is incredibly rewarding, and definitely beats staring at a computer screen all day long. If, like your average visitor, you only have a certain, defined period of time in Rwanda but still want to make the best of seeing African wildlife in the Great Outdoors, this Akagera safari should definitely be on your agenda.

Akagera Safari From Kigali: FAQs

What Should I Wear on My Trip?

Think comfortable layers, sturdy shoes, plus neutral colors. Try to avoid dark shades since these could potentially attract tsetse flies or mosquitos.

Are There Any Restroom Facilities During the Game Drive?

Yep, generally, you’ll find restroom stops at the visitor center and the Akagera Game Lodge.

What Is the Best Time of Year To Go?

Well, the dry season months – that’s June to September – usually, is considered the prime time for wildlife viewing, as the vegetation isn’t too dense so it is fairly easy to spot any number of creatures in their natural habitats.