Akagera National Park
Rwanda's savannah safari destination, known for game drives, diverse wildlife, wetlands, lakes and scenic landscapes.
Rwanda Travel Guide
Rwanda Safari Guide
Discover how to plan a Rwanda safari, from wildlife encounters and game drives in Akagera National Park to boat safaris, the best time to visit, what to pack and how to combine a safari with gorilla trekking and other Rwanda experiences.
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's main savannah safari destination
4×4 Game Drives
Explore wildlife habitats by safari vehicle
Lake Ihema
Boat safari experiences can complement game drives
Big Five
Lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos
Akagera National Park
A protected savannah landscape in eastern
Rwanda offering game drives, wildlife viewing
and boat safari experiences.
About Rwanda Safaris
Why choose Rwanda for a safari?
Rwanda is widely known for its mountain gorilla trekking, but the country also offers a distinct wildlife safari experience in Akagera National Park.
Located in eastern Rwanda, Akagera combines open savannah, wetlands, lakes and woodland habitats. The landscape creates opportunities to see a variety of African wildlife while enjoying a relatively compact safari destination.
A Rwanda safari can also be combined with Kigali, Nyungwe National Park, Lake Kivu and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park .
- Wildlife game drives through Akagera's savannah and woodland landscapes.
- Opportunities to look for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and antelope.
- Lion and rhinoceros viewing opportunities in Akagera.
- Boat safari experiences on Lake Ihema can add a different perspective to your safari.
Rwanda Wildlife Destinations
Where to experience wildlife in Rwanda
Different parts of Rwanda offer different landscapes and wildlife experiences. Akagera is the country's primary traditional savannah safari destination, while Nyungwe and Volcanoes offer forest and mountain experiences.
Nyungwe National Park
A rainforest destination known for chimpanzee trekking, primates, forest walks and the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway.
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda's mountain wildlife destination, best known for mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey experiences.
Wildlife to Look For
What animals can you see on a Rwanda safari?
Akagera National Park supports a variety of wildlife. A game drive is never a guarantee of seeing a particular animal, but the park offers opportunities to search for some of Africa's best-known species.
Lions
African Elephants
Leopards
Rhinoceroses
African Buffalo
Giraffes
Zebras
Diverse Birdlife
Safari Experiences
Things to do on a Rwanda safari
A Rwanda wildlife itinerary can combine traditional game drives with water-based experiences and time exploring the landscapes of Akagera.
4×4 Game Drives
Explore Akagera's savannah, woodland and wetland habitats with a professional driver-guide while searching for wildlife.
Lake Ihema Boat Safari
A boat experience can provide a different view of Akagera's aquatic environment and wildlife around the lake.
Wildlife Photography
Akagera's open landscapes and varied wildlife make it a rewarding destination for travelers interested in photography.
Nature & Landscapes
Beyond individual animal sightings, the park's lakes, wetlands, hills and savannah landscapes are an important part of the safari experience.
Rwanda Safari Cost
How much does a Rwanda safari cost?
The final cost of a Rwanda safari depends on the travel dates, number of travelers, accommodation category, park fees, transportation, activities and services included in the itinerary.
Travel Miles Rwanda's official Akagera National Park Experience starts from US$950 per person based on the current package information.
The package starting price is a Travel Miles
Rwanda package price and is not the same as an
official park-entry fee. Final quotations depend
on dates, availability, accommodation, travelers
and selected activities.
Akagera Experience
US$950
Starting price per person
When to Visit
Best time for a Rwanda safari
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. Weather, road and trail conditions and the type of experience you prefer can influence the best period for your trip.
June to September
Rwanda's main dry season generally offers easier travel conditions and is a popular period for combining Akagera wildlife safaris with gorilla trekking and other outdoor experiences.
Green & Rainy Periods
Wetter periods bring greener landscapes and can still offer rewarding wildlife experiences. Travelers should be prepared for rain and changing road conditions.
Safari Checklist
What to pack for a Rwanda safari
Pack for warm daytime conditions, outdoor activities, changing weather and early morning or evening game drives.
Comfortable Clothing
Lightweight, comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities.
Walking Shoes
Comfortable closed shoes are useful for activities outside the safari vehicle.
Camera
Bring a camera or phone with enough storage and protection from dust or rain.
Sun Protection
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat can be useful during daytime safari activities.
Rain Protection
A lightweight rain jacket is useful because weather can change during a Rwanda trip.
Binoculars
Binoculars can make distant wildlife and bird sightings easier to appreciate.
Reusable Water Bottle
Carry drinking water and follow your guide's advice throughout the safari.
Personal Essentials
Bring personal medication, toiletries and any additional items you normally need when traveling.
Build a Complete Rwanda Journey
Combine your safari with gorilla trekking
One of the advantages of visiting Rwanda is that several major experiences can be combined into one private itinerary.
Travelers can begin in Kigali, continue to Akagera for a wildlife safari, travel through Nyungwe or Lake Kivu and finish with mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Kigali city experience
- Akagera wildlife safari
- Nyungwe rainforest and chimpanzee experience
- Lake Kivu relaxation and scenic experiences
- Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking
Continue Exploring Rwanda
Explore more Rwanda travel experiences
Build your Rwanda itinerary around wildlife, culture, forests, mountains, lakes and city experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rwanda safari FAQ
Practical answers for travelers planning a wildlife safari in Rwanda.
Akagera National Park is Rwanda's main savannah
wildlife safari destination. It offers game drives,
wetland landscapes, lakes and opportunities to see
a variety of wildlife.
Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five:
lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo.
Wildlife sightings are naturally not guaranteed
during any individual game drive.
Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. The main
dry season from June to mid-September is generally
popular for outdoor travel because roads and trails
can be easier to navigate. Wetter periods can offer
greener scenery but travelers should prepare for rain.
Safari prices vary according to dates, travelers,
accommodation, transportation, park activities and
services included. Travel Miles Rwanda's official
Akagera National Park Experience currently starts
from US$950 per person.
Yes. Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park
can be combined within a multi-destination Rwanda
itinerary. Kigali, Nyungwe National Park and Lake Kivu
can also be included depending on your available time.
Comfortable outdoor clothing, walking shoes,
sun protection, a rain jacket, binoculars, a camera,
drinking water and personal essentials are useful
items for a Rwanda safari.
The ideal duration depends on your itinerary and
interests. A focused Akagera experience can be
arranged as a shorter trip, while travelers combining
Akagera with gorilla trekking, Nyungwe, Lake Kivu and
Kigali will generally need more days.
Ready to explore Rwanda's wildlife?
Plan your Akagera safari with Travel Miles Rwanda and combine wildlife experiences with gorilla trekking, Kigali, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.