Ultimate Wildlife & Scenic Adventure with Rwanda Treasure Tours
Experience Rwanda’s Big 5 safari adventure in the iconic Akagera National Park, combined with Kigali city exploration and unforgettable savannah game drives. This 5-day safari is designed for travelers who want a complete wildlife, nature, and cultural experience at a relaxed pace.
Tour Overview
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destination: Kigali – Akagera National Park – Surrounding Scenic Routes
Tour Type: Private Luxury / Mid-range Safari
Main Highlight: Big Five Wildlife Experience
Accommodation: Safari lodges inside/near Akagera National Park
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Begin your 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda with a warm welcome from your professional Rwanda Treasure Tours guide upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. Enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel in Kigali, where you can settle in and relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an optional Kigali city experience, beginning with an orientation drive through Rwanda's vibrant capital to discover its beautiful neighbourhoods, modern architecture, clean streets, and welcoming atmosphere.
Explore the surroundings of local markets to gain an insight into everyday Rwandan life, discover traditional products and locally made crafts, and experience the unique charm of this remarkable East African city. After your city introduction, return to your hotel for relaxation and time to prepare for the exciting wildlife adventure ahead.
This first day of your 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda offers a gentle introduction to the country's culture and urban landscapes before travelling to Akagera National Park, Rwanda's premier savannah wildlife destination, where you will have opportunities to search for the iconic African Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. Enjoy a peaceful overnight stay in Kigali with Rwanda Treasure Tours.
Day 2: Kigali → Akagera National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali at approximately 7:00 AM with your professional Rwanda Treasure Tours guide for a scenic drive east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda's only savannah national park and the country's premier destination for wildlife safaris. Upon arrival, complete the park entry formalities and receive a short briefing before beginning your exciting 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through Akagera's diverse natural habitats, exploring open savannah plains, beautiful woodlands, wetlands, lake shores, and rolling hills in search of Africa's iconic wildlife.
Keep your camera ready for opportunities to encounter lions, African elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species, while also watching for other fascinating animals that inhabit the park. With an experienced safari guide, discover the park's remarkable ecosystems, learn about wildlife behaviour, and enjoy scenic stops for photography and nature observation. Although sightings vary depending on the season and wildlife movements, Akagera offers opportunities to search for the African Big Five, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. In the late afternoon, transfer to your lodge in or near Akagera National Park and unwind while enjoying spectacular sunset views across the savannah landscapes. End the day with a delicious dinner and a relaxing overnight stay, preparing for more exciting Akagera National Park game drives, Big Five wildlife encounters, and African safari experiences with Rwanda Treasure Tours.
Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive
Start your day with an early morning wildlife safari in Akagera National Park, one of the highlights of your 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda. The early hours offer excellent opportunities to search for predators and other wildlife as you explore the park's diverse savannah habitats with your experienced Rwanda Treasure Tours guide. Keep watch for lions resting or moving through the grasslands, hyenas, jackals, and large herds of herbivores grazing across the open plains. Continue your adventure with a picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the park, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and the sounds of the African wilderness.
In the afternoon, explore additional wildlife habitats and selected protected areas in search of rhinos, while enjoying exceptional birdwatching opportunities with more than 500 recorded bird species, including fascinating savannah and wetland birds. Make stops at scenic viewpoints to photograph the park's wildlife, lakes, rolling hills, and spectacular landscapes. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a memorable late-afternoon game drive, taking in the golden light across the savannah and searching for more wildlife encounters against the beautiful African sunset.
Return to your safari lodge for dinner, relaxation, and an overnight stay, ready for another exciting day of Akagera Big Five safari experiences, African wildlife photography, predator tracking, and guided game drives with Rwanda Treasure Tours.
Day 4: Boat Safari & Relaxation
Begin your morning with an optional early game drive in Akagera National Park, offering another opportunity to search for the iconic African Big Five and enjoy final wildlife sightings across the park's beautiful savannah landscapes. Later, experience one of the highlights of your 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda with a memorable Lake Ihema boat safari, discovering Akagera's remarkable aquatic ecosystem from a different perspective.
As you cruise across the lake, observe large groups of hippos resting in the water, Nile crocodiles along the shoreline, and fascinating waterbirds, including colourful kingfishers, African fish eagles, and other wetland species. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake's islands, surrounding wetlands, and peaceful natural habitats while capturing exceptional wildlife photographs. After your boat excursion, return to your safari lodge and spend the afternoon enjoying leisure time in the heart of nature.
Relax beside the swimming pool, take a gentle nature walk around the lodge where permitted, or simply unwind while admiring the surrounding landscapes and beautiful African sunset. This relaxing day combines wildlife exploration, birdwatching, and scenic lake experiences, offering a wonderful balance between adventure and relaxation during your Akagera National Park safari. Enjoy dinner and another peaceful overnight stay at your safari lodge with Rwanda Treasure Tours.
Day 5: Return to Kigali & City Tour
After breakfast at your safari lodge, enjoy a final morning in the Akagera area before departing for Kigali, taking in the beautiful countryside views, rolling green hills, and traditional rural communities along the way. Upon arrival in the capital, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of Rwanda's most significant historical and educational sites, for a meaningful opportunity to learn about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, honour the victims, and understand Rwanda's remarkable journey of remembrance, resilience, and reconciliation.
Continue your Kigali experience with optional shopping at local artisan shops and craft markets, where you can discover traditional Rwandan handicrafts, handmade souvenirs, locally produced artwork, and unique gifts to take home. You may also enjoy an optional Rwandan coffee-tasting experience, discovering the country's renowned coffee culture and locally grown speciality coffee. Later, Rwanda Treasure Tours will arrange your transfer to Kigali International Airport or your preferred hotel, depending on your onward travel arrangements. This final day brings your 5 Days Big 5 Safari in Rwanda to a memorable conclusion, combining wildlife adventures in Akagera National Park, scenic countryside exploration, and meaningful cultural and historical experiences in Kigali, leaving you with lasting memories of Rwanda's remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and heritage.
Tour Includes
Private 4x4 safari vehicle
Professional English-speaking guide
All park game drives
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
4 nights accommodation
Meals as per itinerary
Bottled drinking water
Hotel & airport transfers
Tour Excludes
Akagera National Park entrance fees (if not included in package option)
International flights
Personal expenses
Alcoholic drinks
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Why Choose Rwanda Treasure Tours?
We provide professional, safe, and unforgettable safari experiences with expert local guides who bring Rwanda’s wildlife and landscapes to life.
“From Kigali to the wild plains of Akagera — experience Rwanda’s untamed beauty in 5 unforgettable days.”