Akagera Safari

Met on arrival at the Kigali International Airport by our partners in Rwanda, you will be transferred to The Retreat a 20min drive away, this 20-room luxury boutique hotel created by the American owners of Heaven, designed by Italian architects, brought to life by an extraordinary team of Rwandan builders and technicians. This will be your overnight stay. Once assisted to check-in, you have the afternoon at leisure, dinner and overnight at the Hotel. Meals: Breakfast & dinner. Overnight at the Retreat.

07h30: After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and proceed to Kigali Genocide Memorial for a guided tour. The memorial stands amid beautiful rose gardens and fountains, shares the history leading up to the genocide in Rwanda and other genocides around the world. It helps put into context how and why the genocide happened and to better appreciate how far the country has come, post the genocide years, whilst playing a vital role in educating Rwanda’s new and future generations on effects of genocide. 10h30: depart for Akagera National Park, arrive at the park headquarters for a brief introduction to your park guide before transfer to your lodge in time for check-in and lunch at the Mantis Akagera Game Lodge stands on a hill at the southern tip of the Park elevated above the savannah, offering a bird’s-eye view and exceptional views of Lake Ihema. 15h00: Depart for an afternoon game drive in the park with exceptional birdlife and wildlife experience. Being the only Big-5 reserve in Rwanda, home to rare swamp-dwelling Sitatunga, Rare Shoebill Stork, endangered papyrus Gonolex, much sought after Red-faced Barbet, over 500 recorded bird species. It is the only Big-5 reserve in Rwanda and is also home to the rare swamp-dwelling Sitatunga, the rare Shoebill stork, the endangered papyrus Gonolex and the much sought-after Red-faced Barbet. With over 500 recorded bird species. Return to the Lodge before sunset, freshen-up for dinner. Meals: lunch, dinner and overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.

After breakfast, go on a boat excursion on Lake Ihema (10h00 to 11h00) the second largest lake in Rwanda. Lining the lakes are some of the continents densest concentrations of water birds. The African Darter, African Wattled Lap wing, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Common Squacco Heron, Great Egret and Eastern Grey Plantain Eater to mention a few. Akagera is one of the best birding environs in the world with the highest recorded number of species per unit area. The unique diversity of habitats including lakes, marshes, savannah, mountains and woodland makes this the largest protected wetland in Central Africa. Continue with a game viewing drive till 13h30, returning to the lodge for lunch, siesta then a late afternoon game drive providing an opportunity to view gentle hills blending beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies. Night drives begin at 5.30pm and end around 8 – 8.30pm. You will be picked up and dropped off at your accommodation facility. Only available in the south of the park. Return to the lodge before sunset for dinner and overnight stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.

Full day in Akagera National Park, (it is possible to have a picnic lunch instead of having a hot lunch at the lodge) game viewing with visit to the Giraffe area in the south and the lakes road towards Birengero with chance to see animals like Elephant buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra and over a dozens of antelopes most common is the handsome Chestnut-coated Impala, Diminutive Oribi, secretive Bushbuck, Ungainly Tsessebe and the world’s largest antelope – the Statuesque Cape Eland. Other optional activities include Rwanda Hot Air Balloon Safari ride in Akagera National Park at 5:15am (depending on sunrise time), the hot air balloon ride can accommodate 4 to 6 guests, starts from the southern gate entrance in the Park at Kayitaba point. The balloon can climb as 100m to 1000m above the park’s scenic savanna in search for the big-5 and other wildlife species. This experience ends with a champagne breakfast after receiving a flight certificate signed by the pilot as a memory of an unforgettable day. Proceed on to morning game viewing drive, and another late afternoon game drive returning for dinner. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge.

Early breakfast at the hotel before departing for Kigali, with a stop for lunch at Pili Pili Restaurant a 2 hr 30 min drive (101km) before proceeding onto Haute Baso Shop for any last minute shopping before your transfer to the Kigali International Airport a 22 min (9.9km) drive, our partner’s driver will bid you farewell as you check in for your out bound flight.