








2 Days Akagera National Park Safari and Boat Ride Adventure
The 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari and Boat Ride Adventure is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience Rwanda’s savannah wildlife and the beauty of its wetlands in a short timeframe. This 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari takes you to the eastern part of Rwanda, home to the country’s only Big Five national park, offering a striking contrast to the misty rainforests of Volcanoes and Nyungwe. With just two days, the 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari gives you the chance to enjoy guided game drives and a relaxing boat ride on Lake Ihema, creating a perfect balance of land and water safari experiences.
This short itinerary is designed to maximize wildlife encounters, making the 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari ideal for spotting elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, antelopes, and predators like lions and leopards. Akagera is also home to rhinos, completing the Big Five experience. The boat ride on Lake Ihema is another highlight of the 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari, offering sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife—perfect for photographers and birdwatchers.
Perfect for weekend getaways, business travelers, or anyone with limited time, the 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari delivers the best of Akagera in just two days. Comfortable lodges, professional guiding, and private transfers ensure a seamless, rewarding, and memorable adventure.
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali – Game Drive – Boat Ride on Lake Ihema
- Pickup from Kigali hotel or airport by your driver-guide.
- Drive 2.5 hours to Akagera National Park, passing through scenic Rwandan countryside.
- Begin a morning game drive upon arrival, exploring the park’s savannah, woodlands, and rolling hills. Expect sightings of giraffes, zebras, buffalo, elephants, and various antelope species.
- Check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch.
- In the afternoon, head to Lake Ihema for a memorable boat ride. Spot hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds such as kingfishers, fish eagles, and herons.
- Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Full Game Drive – Return to Kigali
- Early breakfast at the lodge before setting off on a sunrise game drive. This is the best time to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas while they are still active.
- Continue exploring different sectors of the park, searching for rhinos and other wildlife you may have missed.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before beginning your journey back to Kigali.
- Arrive in Kigali in the evening for drop-off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport.
End of 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari and Boat Ride Adventure
Tour Inclusions of 2 Days Akagera National Park Safari and Boat Ride Adventure
- Transport in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees
- Boat ride on Lake Ihema
- Accommodation inside or near Akagera (budget, mid-range, or luxury options)
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Bottled water throughout the safari
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not listed
Starting from US $ 1,250 per person
Discounted prices per person as the number of people rises.
| No of People | Up To | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | $ 1250 |
| 2 | – | $ 880 |
| 3 | – | $ 650 |
| 4 | – | $ 570 |
| 5 | – | $ 500 |
| 6 | – | $ 460 |
| 7+ | – | $ 400 |
Posted on Karsten Sidelmann VajhøjVerified Akagera National Park It was a very interesting day in Akagera National Park. We saw many different animals, and the nature was beautiful. Kim was great at spotting the game and was also a very nice and pleasant person to talk to throughout the whole tour.Posted on Kaushik BVerified Memorable trip to see the gorillas! Really enjoyed this trip to Volcanoes national park. Uviversal Ventures arranged it perfectly well. The driver was very punctual and friendly. He did an excellent job not only as a driver but also as a guide by providing useful information about visiting the park, etc.Posted on Caroline LVerified A wonderful experience! We had a really great 1 day trekking tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda. Everything was beautifully organized, with great attention to small details. Our driver, Christian, truly went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing experience thanks to his professionalism and kindness. He carefully answered every question, and was sure to point out spots of interest. We are so thankful!Posted on rosaVerified Amazing experiences, the company you need to book with! Cannot recommend this company enough! 20/10 would recommend both for solo and couple/friend travels. We actually did three different activities with them: Gorilla trekking 1 day, Kigali tour and 2night/3d in Lake Kivu. It was super professional, safe, beyond reliable and so well organized. First of all, our guide Christian (ask for him!) was incredible. Super professional, knowledgeable and great ressources provided. He really made sure we had the best experience. Suggested experiences along the way and made sure we got to them even though they were not included in the initial itinerary and did not even blink at the idea of prolonging his long day just for our benefit. He was also the nicest human being. One of us got sick and he simply brought us back to the hotel for her to rest and continued the itinerary with the rest of the group. He also helped us run errands even though he absolutely did not have to. He is also super punctual and really just cares about the guests. Super nice guy and really goes above and beyond. Also takes the best pictures and knows the best spots for your feed 😄 Second, Emmanuel (company owner) was the most responsive and helpful person we have ever interacted with. Super thorough and present. Third, the vehicles were in excellent conditions and water was always available. Lastly, the vendors/companies they work with are amazing. The boat tours in Kibuye (ask to go with Fabrice!), the hotel on Lake Kivu, all amazing! They truly are a gem of a company :) would definitely rebook with them without hesitations!Posted on Andrei RVerified Awesome Outstanding experience ! My guide Shadady went above and beyond paying attention to all my needs.Highly recommended !Posted on EdMotionVerified Nzirorera was just chill The Rwanda admissions fee of US$1500 is excessive for the experience. But the tour guide company’s service was easy and just fine. My guide and driver was Nzirorera Shadady who was extremely chill and helpful and conversational guy who gave me insights into many things about his country. My sneakers was fully submerged in deep mud during the walk and he got someone from the town nearby to clean my shoe completely while we had lunch after the experience. The gorillas? Akin to meeting them in a zoo. Except that here we had to trek 4-5 km. Something to be done once in our lives, I guess although I met Americans who were paying the $1500 per person for five days in a row. Even the locals were impressed by such extravagance.Posted on Amy CVerified Smooth and great experience for gorilla trekking I booked my trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park with Universal Travel at the very last minute, and the entire experience was incredibly smooth and well-organized. I already purchased my permit but neglected transportation until the day before. Really appreciate them for accommodating us!Seeing the gorillas was absolutely unforgettable. Christian, our driver and guide, picked us up directly from our hotel in Kigali and made sure we were comfortable, informed, and perfectly on time for every key moment of the trek. The drive itself can be intense, so we were especially grateful for his skill, calmness, and guidance throughout the journey.Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend Universal Travel and Christian for anyone planning a gorilla trek in Rwanda.Posted on Gilberto JVerified Experience BEYOND AMAZING! A must do in Rwanda I booked a one-day tour from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. The company handled everything with professionalism — including arranging all the official trekking logistics directly with the national park — which made the whole experience completely stress-free.My guide, Christian, was outstanding. He picked me up exactly on time in a new, clean, and very comfortable car, which immediately set the tone for a great day. Throughout the entire journey, he made sure I was comfortable, informed, and fully prepared for the trek ahead.Christian stayed with me through every step of the process, from check-in to the briefing area to the trailhead, always making sure I was ok. It felt like exploring with someone truly invested in making sure I had the best possible day.The gorilla trekking itself was unforgettable, but the quality of service is what made the day seamless and memorable.Highly, highly recommended for anyone considering a day trip from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park. I would absolutely book with this company again.Posted on sb12015Verified Extraordinary experience I had the pleasure of exploring Rwanda with Christian as my guide, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He’s the kind of guide who instantly makes you feel at ease — professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about sharing his country’s culture, wildlife, and history.Posted on NarraGirl01Verified Once in a Life Time We had the good fortune to have Fidel as our guide for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Fidel and his team of porters and trackers were fantastic. We were assigned to a large family of gorillas (24) took about 2hrs to trek to them. It was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The guides/porters really knew how to respect and communicate with the gorillas. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The park and the activities are well managed and organised (in addition to gorillas).
