2-Day Akagera Wilderness Safari Adventure: Game Drive, Hot Air Balloon, Boat Safari, Wildlife Experience

Your adventure begins early in the morning as your professional EastLens Safaris driver-guide picks you up from your hotel in Kigali. Enjoy the scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive through Rwanda’s eastern countryside, passing local villages, farmlands, and stunning rolling hills.

Upon arrival at Akagera National Park, you’ll complete registration and enjoy a short coffee break as your guide briefs you on the day’s plan.

Then, the adventure begins with a southern circuit game drive, where you’ll explore the park’s open plains and wetlands. This area is rich in wildlife — expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, impalas, and buffaloes roaming freely in their natural habitat. Your guide will share stories about the park’s conservation success, including the reintroduction of lions and rhinos, making Akagera home to the full Big Five.

By midday, you’ll head to Akagera Game Lodge for a relaxing lunch overlooking the park’s rolling hills. Take a short break to unwind or enjoy a dip in the lodge’s pool before heading out for your next adventure.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat safari on Lake Ihema, Akagera’s largest lake. Here, you’ll glide across calm waters surrounded by hippos, crocodiles, and flocks of birds — including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and cormorants. The golden hues of the setting sun reflecting off the lake create an unforgettable moment of peace and beauty.

After the boat ride, return to the lodge for a delicious dinner, relaxation, and perhaps a quiet evening by the campfire under Rwanda’s starlit sky.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge

Rise before dawn for an early transfer to the hot air balloon launch site. As the first rays of sunlight paint the savannah gold, your Hot Air Balloon Safari begins. Drift silently over Akagera’s breathtaking landscapes, from winding lakes to wildlife-filled plains. From the sky, you’ll spot elephants moving in herds, buffaloes grazing, and hippos peeking out from the water — all from a peaceful, panoramic view unlike any other.

After landing, you’ll be greeted with a traditional champagne celebration, a long-standing ballooning tradition symbolizing adventure and accomplishment. You’ll also receive a personalized flight certificate to commemorate your unique experience.

Next, enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge before embarking on your final northern circuit game drive. This area of Akagera is renowned for its higher predator activity — lions basking in the sun, leopards resting in trees, and rhinos wandering through the bush. Your guide will help you track and spot as many animals as possible before your return.

After lunch at a scenic picnic spot inside the park, begin your drive back toward Kigali, passing through rural communities and capturing your last glimpses of Rwanda’s untamed beauty.

Arrive in Kigali in the early evening, marking the end of an incredible two-day safari filled with unforgettable memories and photographs.