Private Tour
One-day Akagera National Park Game Drive with a Choice 4x4
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Leave Kigali as early as 05h00 and drive for an estimated 3.5 hours to reach Akagera National Park by 08h30. With our local and friendly tour guide, the transport is assured with a choice 4x4 car with WIFI onboard to keep you connected with your loved ones and the world (***Some spots in the park do not have connectivity***). Spend the entire day through the park to depart back to Kigali late afternoon. Akagera National Park has a diversity of wildlife including buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas and many others. After a long time being extinct, the black rhinos and lions have recently been restocked. Their sighting is always not guaranteed due to their small number and the hiding character of the black rhino. Enjoy the game drive viewing the natural habitat of different animals, birds and enjoying the view of different lakes and landscape.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mid-way: Stop-over by Imigongo Art Center and cafe for leg stretching, viewing Imigongo arts, using the washrooms. You may also opt, *not included*, to buy a cup of coffee, quick breakfast (takeaway advised for those with boat ride or late departures) or anything else there.
Akagera National Park
Arrival at Akagera National Park, registration, picking the packed picnic lunch, departure to spend your day game driving in Akagera National Park.
What‘s Included
Drinking water with reusable bottles required by park. Single-use plastic bottles no longer allowed.
A driver-guide by Countryside Tours-Rwanda
Boat ride in Ihema lake, in case opted
220-240V electrical current for phones and portable devices
Akagera Transit Lodge picnic lunch
Opted transport: Pop-up roof safari vehicle, Non-Pop Up Roof SUV, Toyota Rav4 4WD or similar
Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Kigali city and Kigali International Airport
Park admission, USD 100-Internationals, USD 50-Residents & Africans, USD 15-EAC & Rwandans 100 per person
Optional: Akagera National Park guide, additional fee if opted
Admission: Boat ride in Ihema lake, in case not opted
Breakfast
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, Boat
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, Boat: Private transport with an SUV, Without Openable Pop Up Roof.
Pickup included
Toyota Rav4, 4WD, Boat Ride
Boat Ride in Ihema Lake: One-hour Ihema lake boat ride, enjoy the 2nd largest lake in the country and the 1st in Akagera, see crocs and hippos.
Toyota Rav4, 4WD: For transport, this option uses a non-pop-up roof Toyota Rav4 4WD, Private car transport, shared boat trip.
Pickup included
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, No Boat
SUV, Non-Pop Up Roof, No Boat: Private transport with an SUV, Without Openable Pop Up Roof, No boat ride.
Pickup included.
Late departure possibility
Pickup included
Toyota Rav4, 4WD, No Boat Ride
Toyota Rav4, 4WD, No Boat Ride: Late departure possibility, No boat ride, Toyota Rav4, 4WD
Private car transport, Pickup included.
Pickup included
Popup Roof Safari Car, No Boat
Starting time: Late departure possibility, No boat ride, Pop-up Roof Safari Car
Private car transport, Pickup included.
Pickup included
Pop-up Roof Safari Car, Boat
Pop-up Roof Safari Car
Private tour: Private car transport, Open-Roof Safari Car, Boat ride shared with others.
Pickup included
Reviews
139 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Akagera Day Trip from Kigali
GoPlaces592556,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic experience with Countryside Tours. Olivier was very helpful in answering questions and getting things booked via WhatsApp. For the tour itself, we had the excellent Kevin as our driver / guide. He arrived promptly for a smooth pickup and did a fantastic job over a very long day. He managed time perfectly to maximise our experience and get us to the airport in time. He also did an excellent job of spotting wildlife through the day and we were very impressed his incredible eyesight! Thanks for a wonderful day trip!
Akagera National Park - Wonderful Experience
Brandon B,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My guide today was Jean Paul, and I had an amazing time on this safari, better than I could have imagined. First off, make sure to get the pop-up roof, it made the entire experience being able to see the animals and nature so clearly. The boat tour was also very fun, and I was able to see crocodiles (or alligators, I forget the difference), hippos, elephants, baboobs, zebras, and others just from the boat! Let alone the rest of the Game drive. Jean Paul was very knowledgeable about the history of Akegera and the area, as well as the animals we saw. It felt like a great balance of peaceful and quiet serenity, with many moments of excitement and visually tracking down animals. Definitely recommend a guide in this way because they are always in contact with the other guides to find out who saw what and where that day. Thanks again!
Kevin is YOUR perfect guide !
Roam654804,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin was AMAZING ! He took so much time to explain everything to me about the wildlife of every animal ! Due to bad weather I could not do the boat trip so he also asked the park and the company to refund me which shows his ethics and values. He is so passionate about what he does and he's definitely the perfect guide for your excursion !
Life experience unlocked!
Heather S,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Kevin, with Countyside Tours is an animal whisperer! We were up close and personal with elephants, lions, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and more! He is a wonderful guide who knows how and where to spot the more elusive critters. Some of the highlights include lions approaching a mixed herd of prey, bull elephants sparring, and a big daddy bull elephant coming to the lake edge to hydrate! Our group included three women from the USA. We loved the entire safari experience and service we received. Beyond the animals, Kevin stopped at a great coffee shop/pizzaria/souvenir shop on the way to and from the park; talked to us about some of the villages we passed through, and was all around knowledgeable and friendly. Yes, it’s a bumpy road but you’re in a national park, it should be expected. Highly recommend the hour boat tour add on. The bagged lunch was meh. I recommend grabbing something from your hotel or the coffee shop on the way.
I would do it again
V2458PPdiegom,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent service and excellent attention, mainly the guide who touched me, Kevin, a real genius, very friendly despite my little English made himself understood and we had good conversations
Great tour with more animals than I could count
Andrew R,,Jan 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an incredible trek through the park! Isaac was a great guide; he could spot animals at a great distance and get us close to have a look. The boat tour was a great addition: crocodiles, hippos, and a huge variety of birds. Everyone at the park took the time to be friendly, as well as informative. The tour company did a great job keeping me informed and answering questions. Really a lot of fun!
Animals galore
Heather R,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great national park! Our driver/guide Kevin was wonderful and knowledgeable. Vehicle had popped top and plenty of tech to keep you charged and photo ready. Saw 4 or the big 5 plus a plethora of other animals.
The best day
Arosenblatt1,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin was an exceptional safari guide. He was really good at spotting the animals and he was communicating with the other guides about where the animals were located. He went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible wildlife sightings, adjusting plans, timing, and routes. It was clear that he cared deeply about our experience and took great pride in sharing his knowledge and passion for the animals and landscape.
First Solo trip
MELAT W,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My trip to the park with Kevin the guide was very excellent and memorable. He is very attentive, polite, patient, professional and a gentleman he made me feel comfortable and relaxed all the time.
Safari and Lake Kivu
jennamQ8463HG,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing two-day trip with Countryside Tours, including a safari and a visit to Lake Kivu. Everything was perfectly organized, and we felt very well taken care of throughout the journey. Our driver, Kevin, was absolutely outstanding – friendly, knowledgeable, and always made sure we were comfortable and safe. Thanks to him, we learned a lot and truly enjoyed every moment. Highly recommended!
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Operated by Countryside Tours-Rwanda