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Rwanda Safaris

Akagera national park

Running along the border with Tanzania in northeast Rwanda, Akagera National Park once spanned a tenth of the country. Though smaller today, Akagera nevertheless remains a spectacular destination, formed of protected wetlands, swamps and lakes trimmed with forest, savannah plains and highlands. These diverse habitats support an incredible variety of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, leopard, zebra, lion and many species of antelope.

If plans to reintroduce black rhino are successful, Akagera National Park will once again be home to the Big Five. Naturally, guided game drives are the main attraction here, but the park is also popular with birding trips, boating and fishing. Akagera is very easily accessed, just two hours by road from the capital, Kigali.

Best time to visit

Any month of the year is good, as there is wildlife viewing available at all times. However, while Rwanda doesn’t have a defined summer or winter, due to its proximity to the equator, it does have a wet and dry season, and these can impact on activities.

Things to do in Akagera

Game Viewing

Akagera National Park is one of the oldest in Africa. In the 1990s, the return of refugees from Rwanda’s civil war led to a worrying increase in poaching, and as a solution the government decided to the park’s size by half. So although Akagera is a lot smaller than it once was, the wildlife and habitats can be much better protected. The result is that this is now among the foremost parks for wildlife safaris in East Africa, with lion and Black rhino reintroduced to complete the Big Five. As the park is only three hours by road from Kigali, there is the potential for long day trips.

Boat Trips

Guided game drives are the big attraction when visiting Akagera National Park, but this is also the largest protected wetland in central Africa, with several majestic lakes including Lake Ihema, which is the second-largest in Rwanda. The deep lakes and papyrus swamps provide fertile habitat for many species of birdlife, including African fish eagle and the rare shoebill stork, as well as animals such as hippo and crocodile. Boat trips in Akagera National Park are the best way to immerse yourself in this serene, beautiful landscape.

Fishing

Lake Shakani in Akagera National Park is a popular location for sport fishing. Permits are required for fishing trips in Akagera, and it makes sense to head out with a guide to find the best spots, and also to keep you well clear of any crocodile or hippo in the area. You can also take the opportunity to learn about the diverse fishing techniques used here, including shooting fish with a bow and arrow! Catfish and tilapia are abundant, and many accommodations will provide facilities for you to cook your catch in the evenings.

Recommended Journeys

Safari in Akagera National Park

1-2 Days
The Akagera national park offers one of the most convenient safaris in the region. Located just 3 hours from the capital Kigali, an overnight stay offers plenty of time to explore and view all the […]
From$590
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The Premium Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge

Gorilla Safari Lodge is a private and secluded upmarket lodge with spectacular views of the Bwindi rainforest and located close to the Gorilla Trekking starting point. The lodge consists of spacious chalets, the main lodge area with a restaurant, and a bar overlooking the Bwindi rainforest and a gift shop. It also has free WIFI available at the main lodge area.

Room description:

These are chalets, each consisting of a spacious room, a private terrace, and en-suite bathroom. They are beautifully decorated and nicely lit with great views of the Bwindi rainforest. Each room is fitted with large comfortable beds, plush linen, mosquito net wrapping around the bed, lounge furniture, and a fireplace. The bathrooms have flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water.

Meals:

Meals are all included; 2 breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners. The restaurant offers 3-course meals of local and international specialties.

Benefits

Spacious and nicely-decorated rooms

Great location

Spectacular views of Bwindi rainforest

Elaborate meals and variety of choices

Spacious restaurant

Free WIFI

Drawbacks

No WIFI in the rooms

What is the price?

Pax123456
Price per person$2,125$1,754$1,692$1,661$1,642$1,629

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $106 per person.

Available Extensions to your 3 days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi

  • One night extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $510 per person
  • Two nights extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $965 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoeing excursion - $239 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoe trekking - $418 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $415 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $799 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari including a 4-hour Horseback Safari and Bush Breakfast - $934 per person
  • One day extension of the Gorilla Trekking Safari including 1 Gorilla permit - $1,066 per person

The Medium Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Rushaga Gorilla Camp is a mid-range mountain lodge located in the south-eastern part of the park near one of the four gorilla trekking starting points known as Rushaga. The lodge has excellent panoramic views of the Bwindi forest and is a 5 minutes' walk to the gorilla trekking starting point. It also has a restaurant that offers a full English breakfast, an a la carte lunch menu, and a choice of 3 set meals for dinner. You can also access free WIFI at the main lounge and restaurant area of the lodge.

Room description:

These are spacious cottages with large comfortable beds and linen, lounge furniture, and a private terrace looking towards the Bwindi rainforest. All rooms have a spacious private bathroom with flush toilets, solar-powered hot showers, a sink, and a dressing countertop and mirror.

Meals:

Your stay includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners. The meals are all made from western or intercontinental cuisine.

Benefits

Relatively good price

Great location

Spacious rooms

Views of the Bwindi rainforest

Free WIFI

Drawbacks

Not nicely decorated

The linen is comfortable but not plush

Limited food items at the restaurant

What is the price?

Pax123456
Price per person$1,834$1,448$1,385$1,354$1,335$1,323

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $146 per person.

Available Extensions to your 3 days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi

  • One night extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $290 per person
  • Two nights extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $527 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoeing excursion - $239 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoe trekking - $418 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $279 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $527 per person
  • One day extension of the Gorilla Trekking Safari including 1 Gorilla permit - $913 per person

The Basic Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge

Gorilla Valley Lodge is a small, low-budget lodge located in the south-eastern part of the park near one of the four gorilla trekking starting points known as Rushaga. The lodge has a small restaurant that offers a basic continental breakfast and a few options of international cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Room Description

These are clean and modestly furnished brick and motor rooms consisting of a comfortable bed, linen, towels, and en-suite bathrooms. The bathrooms have solar-powered hot water showers and flush toilets. The rooms also have lighting, power plugs, and mosquito nets over the beds.

Meals

Only breakfast and dinner are included in the basic plan. You can order lunch daily at the restaurant.

Benefits

Affordable and comfortable rooms

Good location

Drawbacks

Basic facilities

Small rooms

Limited meal options

Limited views

No internet access

Note:

If there are no rooms available at the time of your booking. We will provide a suitable replacement.

What is the price?

Pax123456
Price per person $1,438$1,187$1,125$1,094$1,075$1,062

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $89 per person.

Available Extensions to your 3 days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi

  • One night extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $234 per person
  • Two nights extension to Ishasha for a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park - $415 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoeing excursion - $169 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Bunyonyi including canoe trekking - $278 per person
  • One night extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $212 per person
  • Two nights extension to Lake Mburo National Park for safari - $392 per person

The Premium Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge is an upmarket lodge with the refinements of a 3-star hotel, located in the center of the park looking over the Nile river. Facilities include spacious rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a pool with a bar, and a gift shop.

Paraa safari lodge boasts the best location in the park and offers the conveniences of being so close to the jetty for your boat safari on the Nile river, and close to the game viewing areas of the park. No lodge offers more conveniences for your 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari than Paraa Safari Lodge.

Room description:

The rooms are nicely lit, decorated with plush linen, and towels. All rooms have a private bathroom with hot showers and a hairdryer. The rooms have a coffee bar, a reading table, refrigerator, complimentary bottled water, and a private balcony.

Meals:

Meals are all included; two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. The restaurant offers three-course meals of local and international specialties.

Benefits

Spacious and comfortable rooms

WIFI available in all rooms

Great location for game drives and boat safari

Elaborate meals and variety of choices

Drawbacks

The standard rooms have a ceiling fan, but no air-conditioning. You can upgrade to a deluxe room for $35 per person per room.

Note: If there are no rooms available at the time of your booking, we will recommend a suitable replacement.

What is the price?

Pax123456
Price per person$1,241$902$825$786$763$748

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $106 per person.

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The Medium Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge is a mid-range lodge, located on the northern side of the park facing the Albert Nile. The facilities include a restaurant, terraced room blocks and a swimming pool.

The lodge is in an excellent location for game drives and with nicely furnished rooms, offering you better value for your money compared to other mid-range accommodations, making Pakuba the ideal lodge for your 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari.

Room description:

All rooms have a private bathroom with solar-powered hot showers, a reading table, a closet, and a private terrace. The rooms are all air-conditioned.

Meals:

This plan is inclusive of all meals. The price includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners during your stay. The meals are all made from western or intercontinental cuisine.

Benefits

Reasonably priced.

Excellent location for game drives

Comfortable rooms with air-conditioning

WIFI at the main lobby and at the restaurant

Drawbacks

The lodge is a 45 mins drive from the Paraa jetty, where the boat safari begins and ends.

Rooms lack a coffee or tea bar and Hair dryer.

The linen is comfortable but not plush

Note: If there are no rooms available at the time of your booking, we will recommend a suitable replacement.

What is the price?

Pax123456
Price per person$1,141$763$685$647$624$608

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $146 per person.

The Basic Plan

Choice of Accommodation: Red Chili Rest Camp

Red Chilli Rest Camp is a low-budget camp located in the center of the park on the southern side of the Nile, only 500 meters from the ferry crossing point. You stay in brick and motor, African thatched houses locally known as bandas.

The camp also has a restaurant that offers an a la carte breakfast and lunch menu, and a choice of 3 set meals for dinner. The combination of a great location and a right level of comfort makes Red Chilli Rest Camp the ideal budget accommodation for your 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari.

Room description:

The bandas all include a double bed or two twin beds with linen and a mosquito net. A few bandas have private bathrooms, but most uses shared bathrooms. All the bandas have lighting, power plugs, and a fan. There’s a limited number of Ensuite bandas. The camp has shared toilets and bathroom stalls with hot water available.

Meals:

The basic plan includes breakfast. You can buy lunch and dinner every day at the restaurant.

Benefits

It’s inexpensive and safe.

Drawbacks

Even though Red Chilli Rest Camp’s location is better than other budget accommodations, it’s not the best for game viewing. It takes about 30 minutes, including crossing the Nile on a ferry to get to the wildlife. The ferry has set crossing times, and these can limit the amount of time you spend viewing the animals. All the other low-budget camps have the same challenge. None is close to the wildlife.

Electricity is only available at set times of the day, except lights are always on. The set times are from 7 am to 9 am, 11 am to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 10 pm. Outside these hours, guests charge appliances such as phones and camera batteries at the restaurant.

No WIFI

Note: If there are no rooms available at the time of your booking, we will recommend a suitable replacement.

Price Scale

Pax123456
Price per person$918$597$520$481$458$442

Prices are based on double room occupancy. You can upgrade to a single room for $89 per person.