Kigali to Akagera Car Rental: Self Drive Safari Guide
How to self drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park: the route, 2026 entry fees, where to find the Big Five, the lake boat trip, guides, and which rental car suits the park's tracks.
Akagera is Rwanda's savannah park and the only place in the country to see the Big Five. It is also one of the few parks in the region that welcomes private self drive vehicles, which makes it one of the best value safaris in Africa. From Kigali, it is a straightforward drive. Here is how to do it well.
Akagera in brief
Akagera covers rolling hills, open grassland, acacia woodland and a chain of lakes along the Tanzanian border. It is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, and its recovery is one of Africa's great conservation stories. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and rhinos followed, so the park once again holds lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra, hippo, many antelope species and more than 480 bird species.
The drive from Kigali
About two and a half hours east to the southern entrance, on paved roads through Rwamagana and Kayonza. Leave Kigali early. Arriving by mid morning gives you a full afternoon of game driving. If you are staying several nights, you can exit through the northern gate and loop back to Kigali on the main road.
Akagera entry fees in 2026
| Fee | International visitors |
|---|---|
| Park entry, adult, per day | USD 100 |
| Park entry, child 6 to 12 | USD 50 |
| Children 5 and under | Free |
| Second and third nights | 50 percent off |
| Vehicle entry | Charged per vehicle; lower for Rwandan registered cars |
Two nights in Akagera between November and May also qualifies you for the 30 percent gorilla permit discount, which saves USD 450 per person.
A two day self drive plan
Day 1
Enter through the south, stop at reception to pay fees and pick up a map, and consider hiring a freelance guide to ride with you. Spend the afternoon on the southern loops around Lake Ihema. Take the late afternoon boat trip for hippos, crocodiles and water birds. Stay inside the park or just outside the gate.
Day 2
Leave at first light for the northern plains, where the landscape opens up and lions, elephants and big herds of buffalo, zebra and giraffe are most often seen. Pack lunch and water, as there are few facilities in the north. Exit through the northern gate in the afternoon or return to your lodge.
Which car for Akagera
- Toyota RAV4, USD 45 per day: the drive from Kigali and the southern loops in dry weather.
- Land Cruiser Prado, USD 75 per day: the whole park in the dry season, and most of it in the rain.
- Toyota Land Cruiser, USD 110 per day: the best tool for long days on the northern plains, especially after rain.
- Toyota Safari with pop up roof, USD 200 per day with driver: for serious photographers and groups up to nine.
All self drive rentals include insurance and unlimited mileage inside Rwanda.
Akagera self drive tips
- Stay on marked tracks and in your vehicle except at designated points.
- Keep your distance from elephants and never get between a hippo and the water.
- Fill the tank before leaving Kayonza. There is no public fuel inside the park.
- Plan to be at your lodge or out of the park before dark.
- A freelance guide costs little and greatly improves your chances of lions and rhinos.
Frequently asked questions
Can you self drive in Akagera National Park?
Yes. Akagera allows private vehicles, and self drive is one of the most popular ways to visit.
How far is Akagera from Kigali?
About two and a half hours by road to the southern entrance.
Can I do Akagera as a day trip from Kigali?
Yes, if you leave by 5am. One or two nights is much better for the northern plains.
What car do I need for Akagera?
A compact SUV for the south in dry weather. A Prado or Land Cruiser for the north and in the rains.
Planning Akagera? Tell us your dates and we will match the car to the season. Call or WhatsApp +250 788 504 614. More in car rental to Akagera National Park and Rwanda safari car rental.
