Overview

Embark on an unforgettable Rwanda Big Five safari experience through the rolling savannahs, wetlands, lakes and woodlands of Akagera National Park. Travel with Ikaze Rwanda Tours & Travel from Kigali in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle and set out with an experienced driver-guide to search for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and elusive leopards. Along the way, encounter giraffes, zebras, hippos, antelopes and colourful birdlife while enjoying one of Rwanda’s most exciting wildlife adventures.

Big Five Experience in Akagera: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard

Enjoy a thrilling Big Five experience in Akagera as you explore wildlife-rich plains, woodland and lakeside habitats on morning and afternoon game drives. Search for the lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard Rwanda is proud to protect, while your guide shares insights into animal behaviour and the park’s remarkable conservation story. Every safari is different, making each game drive a genuine journey of discovery rather than a guaranteed checklist of sightings.

What to Expect on an Akagera Big Five Safari 

An Akagera Big Five safari takes you through a varied landscape of open savannah, woodland, wetlands and lakes while you search for wildlife with an experienced guide. Game drives allow you to explore different areas of the park and look for animals in their natural surroundings.

During the safari, sightings can vary from one day to another, so each game drive offers a different experience. You may encounter large mammals such as elephants, buffalo and giraffes, along with lions, rhinos, zebras and antelopes.

The experience is not only about spotting animals. The changing landscapes, storytelling from our drive guides, birdlife and peaceful surroundings of Akagera National Park are also an important part of the safari. Travellers should bring comfortable clothing, sun protection gear, refillable water bottle and a camera for the game drive.

Which Animals Can You See in Akagera National Park? 

Akagera National Park is home to Rwanda’s Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and Eastern black rhinos. The park also supports a variety of other wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, hippos, antelopes, spotted hyenas and several species of monkeys.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Akagera’s different habitats provide opportunities to see a wide range of species during a game drive. The park is also an important birdwatching destination, with hundreds of recorded bird species, including the sought-after shoebill.

If your safari includes a boat experience on Lake Ihema, you may also see hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds around the lake.