Overview
The 3-Day Rwanda Big Five Safari Tour takes you through Kigali city, Rwandas Land scapes to Akagera National Park.
You land in Kigali, drive 2.5 hours east, and by sunset you’re watching zebras drink from lakes with hippos grunting in the background. Day 2 you’re out at sunrise tracking lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos. Day 3 we drive you back to Kigali with a camera full of wildlife shots.
Fuga Tours runs Akagera trips more often. It’s Rwanda’s only Big Five park, and it’s made a huge comeback. Park is fenced, well-managed, and less crowded than Uganda or Kenya parks. Fuga books lodges inside Akagera on the lakes so you hear hippos at night. We provide 4×4 land cruiser, guide who knows where lions den, and all park fees sorted.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up Kigali International Airport → Transfer to Akagera National Park
Upon your arrival you will be received and welcomed by Fuga tours Guide / driver who will brief you about your trip and proceed to Akagera National Park. You leave Kigali’s hills and the landscape opens up — rolling hills, farms, then savannah grassland as you get closer to the park. You’ll cross into the Eastern Province and feel the air get warmer and drier.
Check into a lodge on Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani. or any any lodge of your choice. These lakeside lodges are why Akagera feels special. Your cottage faces water with hippos, crocodiles, and birds outside your window. Afternoon is for relaxing — you drove in, so we don’t rush you. If you arrive early, Fuga can take you for a short evening game drive around the lake.Dinner on the deck as the sun drops behind the hills. Hippos grunt from the lake. You’re in Big Five country now. Early sleep because tomorrow starts at sunrise.Fuga books lodges inside the park so you don’t waste 1 hour driving in/out each day.
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park
Wake very early take Coffee and biscuits at 5:30am. Out by 6am when the park opens. This is when Akagera comes alive. Morning game drive heads north toward Mutumba hills and the central plains. Fuga guides track fresh lion prints and listen for hyenas that called all night. Akagera’s lions are reintroduced and they’re doing well. You’ll scan acacia trees for leopards and check waterholes where elephants gather before heat rises.
The Big Five here:
Lions sleep under trees or hunt in early light. Elephants move in herds of 20-40 to the lakes. Buffalo graze in herds of 100+. Leopards are shy but Akagera has good numbers in the woodland areas. Rhinos — both black and white rhino were reintroduced in 2017/2021. Rangers know where they’ve been seen lately and we track them on foot if needed. Between Big Five you’ll see giraffes, zebras, impala, topi, waterbuck, warthogs, baboons. Birdlife is crazy — over 500 species. Fish eagles scream from trees, kingfishers dive, shoebills if we’re lucky. Back to lodge for late breakfast and rest during midday heat. Animals hide, so we rest too.
Afternoon game drive 3pm-6pm. We head east toward Lake Ihema. This is prime elephant and buffalo territory. Hippos crowd the lake edges. Crocodiles sunbathe on banks. If you want, Fuga can swap the evening drive for a 1-hour boat cruise on Lake Ihema — same price, different view. You drift past hippos by the hundred and crocodiles 5 meters from the boat.Sunset game drive on the way back. The light turns the savannah gold and animals move again. Back at lodge for dinner under stars. No city light here, just Milky Way.
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kigali International Airport
Wake up slow. Coffee with lake views. If time allows, Fuga can do a short morning game drive 6am-8am as we exit the park. Morning light is best for photos and animals are still active. Then we drive 2.-3 hours back to Kigali. you arrive at Kigali International Airport 3 hours before your flight. If your flight is in the evening, we can stop at Kigali Convention Centre for photos or a craft market for souvenirs. Rwanda is compact, so 3 days is enough for Big Five without long transfers. Akagera gives you wildlife without flying to Kenya/Tanzania.
End of Tour
Inclusions
Includes
- Park fees
- All activities
- All accommodation
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- Meals
Excludes
- International flights
- Additional accommodation
- Souvenirs
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees