Your journey begins early in Kigali, where you're met by your safari guide and depart for Akagera
National Park-Rwanda’s only savannah wildlife reserve, and home to a remarkable diversity of birds and
large mammals. The scenic 3-hour drive east offers a chance to transition from the cool highlands to
warmer lowland plains, with en route birding stops near the Nyabarongo wetlands, where species such
as the Grey-headed Kingfisher, Hammerkop, and African Wattled Lapwing may be spotted.
Upon arrival at the southern gate of Akagera, you’ll complete park entry formalities and get a brief
orientation at the visitor center. Then the adventure begins: your first game drive winds through
wooded savannah and acacia thickets, where giraffes and zebras browse alongside bushbuck and
impala. Throughout the afternoon, your guide will help you focus on both mammal sightings and avian
specialties. Southern Akagera is excellent for spotting: Lilac-breasted Rollers and Crested Barbets
perched on thorn trees, African Grey Hornbill, Black-headed Gonoleks, and Bare-faced Go-away-bird
By late afternoon, you arrive at your chosen lodge, located within or just outside the park. As the sun
sets across Lake Ihema or the hills of the park, enjoy dinner and an optional guided night drive, where
spotlighting may reveal spotted hyenas, genets, or nocturnal birds like the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl or
Spotted Thick-knee. End this day with dinner and Overnight.

Start your day with an early breakfast meal at the lodge and head-out for full day of exploration across
the park's vast landscapes. You’ll begin a long and rewarding journey northwards through Akagera,
transitioning from woodland to expansive open plains and lake-edge wetlands. The Mutumba Hills offer
some of the best panoramic views and are alive with bird activity in the early morning. Species such as
the Black-shouldered Kite, Long-crested Eagle, and Northern Fiscal often perch visibly, while mammals
like elephants, topis, and buffalo roam the hillsides. Descending into the northern plains, the landscape
opens into classic savannah-prime territory for game viewing. This is where the Big Five become more
visible: Lions and White Rhinos patrol open grasslands, Masai Giraffes, Zebras, and Waterbuck
congregate around seasonal waterholes
Enjoy a packed picnic lunch under acacia trees or at a designated scenic viewpoint, with time to scan the
skies for soaring raptors or listen for calls in the grasslands. The return journey back south offers golden-
hour photography and more chances to tick off key species-both avian and mammalian. As the sun sets,you’ll arrive back at your lodge for a well-earned dinner and perhaps a recap of the day’s impressive
sightings.

Your final day begins on the water, with a sunrise boat safari on Lake Ihema, one of Akagera’s birding
crown jewels. As mist rises off the water, enjoy close-up views of: African Jacanas, Malachite Kingfishers,
and African Pygmy Geese, Papyrus Gonolek, a secretive beauty often found in reed beds. Large water
birds like Goliath Heron, Open-billed Stork, and African Darter.
After the cruise, there’s time for a short bird walk along the lakeshore or a final game drive en route to
the park exit. Keep your binoculars ready-species like the Blue-napped Moosebird, White-browed
Council, or Speckled Pigeon are often seen near the park’s southern boundaries. You’ll exit Akagera and
begin the return journey to Kigali, arriving mid-to-late afternoon. En route, you may stop at Imigongo
Art Centre or take a brief detour to bird near rice paddies and rivers along the way, especially for
wetland-loving species.