East Africa safaris provide an opportunity to travel across the different countries in the eastern part of Africa and experiencing the natural beauty, wildlife diversity, and rich cultures of this remarkable region.
The different countries found across East Africa include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. These include experiences such as game viewing, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, mountain climbing, bird watching, among others. The Great Rift Valley also passes through East Africa and there are different features found along the escarpment including lakes and tourists can also enjoy views of the stunning landscapes and its diverse ecosystems.
Tour operators offer safari packages across the East African destinations including combined safaris among the countries.
When visiting the various destinations, tourists should keep in mind entry requirements such as visas like the East African visa which allows movement across Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda without the need for individual country visas.
Places to visit in Uganda
Uganda is a safari destination in East Africa which is also referred to as the “Pearl of Africa”. The capital city of Uganda is Kampala city.
Some of the places to visit around Uganda include primate destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park which are home to these mountain gorillas, providing an unforgettable opportunity for gorilla trekking.
Tourists can also visit Uganda and see chimpanzees in destinations like Kibale forest national park also referred to as the primate capital of the world. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda can also be done in Budongo forest and the Kyambura gorge.
Wildlife safaris in Uganda can take place in destinations like Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park which is famous for being home to the tree climbing lions, Lake Mburo national park, Semuliki national park.
Uganda is also a country that has many forests like Mabira forest and Budongo forest among others, Lakes like Lake Victoria, Lake Albert and many other unique attractions.
Activities done around Uganda during tours in East Africa include gorilla trekking, mountain climbing, golden monkey trekking, white water rafting, game drives, boat safaris, guided nature walks, bird watching, community tours among others.
Places to visit in Kenya
Kenya is among the popular destinations for wildlife safaris in East Africa and beach holidays along the country’s coastline. The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi city.
The Masai Mara National Reserve located in south western Kenya is among the popular places to visit in the country and is known for its vast savannah plains and abundant wildlife and is a must-visit for safari enthusiasts. The wildebeest migration is part of the unique attractions found in the Mara.
Other safari destinations to visit during tours in Kenya include Amboseli national park, Lake Nakuru national park, Samburu national reserve, Aberdare national park, Tsavo west and Tsavo east national park, Nairobi national park among others.
The beautiful white sand beaches in Kenya include the Mombasa beach, Diani beach which are found on the Indian ocean.
Activities carried out around Kenya include game drives, hot air balloon safaris, guided nature walks, cultural tours, bird watching, hiking, city tours among others.
Places to visit in Tanzania
Tanzania is another must visit East African country with incredible wildlife safari experiences, majestic peaks, diverse cultures and a variety of attractions.
Of the East African countries, Tanzania is the biggest and most of the country consists of national parks and reserves. The capital city of Tanzania is Dodoma.
Serengeti national park is located in the northern part of Tanzania and it is among the largest national parks on the country with many attractions including the many wildlife species such as the big five (elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and rhinos) and the great wildebeest migration can also be seen at the destination.
While visiting Tanzania, tourists can also climb the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro which is also one of the seven summits of the world. There are other hiking destinations in Tanzania like Mount Meru.
Other places to visit in Tanzania include the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park, Nyerere national park, Arusha national park, Ruaha national park among others.
The beautiful island of Zanzibar is another place to visit in Tanzania and is known for its white sand beaches along the Indian ocean.
Places to visit in Rwanda
Rwanda also referred to as the land of a thousand hills is another country to visit during East African tours.
The capital city of Rwanda is Kigali city and some of the national parks to visit around Rwanda include Volcanoes national park which is home to the gorillas of Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park and Akagera national park.
Activities to do during East Africa tours
East Africa offers a wide range of activities and experiences for travelers and they include the following;
Game drives are part of the exciting adventure that tourists can take part in across the national parks in East Africa and some of the highlights of these game drives include seeing wildlife species like the big five, experiencing the wildebeest migration and enjoying views around the national parks. These game drives can take place in the morning, afternoon and also be done in the night around some destinations.
Hot air balloon safaris take place across destinations like Masai Mara reserve in Kenya, over the endless plains of Serengeti national park and provide a unique way to spot the wildlife and view the landscapes below.
Hiking is another activity done during East Africa tours and some of the famous places for hikes include Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Rwenzori in Uganda, Mount Kenya among others with thrilling adventures of climbing using different routes to get to the summit.
Gorilla trekking is part of the East Africa tour experience and this activity is carried out in Bwindi national park (Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija sector) and Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. This experience involves interactions with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, spending time with the gorillas and observing their behavior. Other encounters with gorillas in the wild habitat include gorilla habituation which is done in Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park.
Beach holidays across East Africa can take place in destinations such as Zanzibar island in Tanzania and also along the Kenyan coast. Some of the activities done in the beach destinations include snorkeling, scuba diving, dhow cruises, swimming, spice tours, visiting historical towns among others.
Cultural experiences across East Africa involve interactions with the different tribes across the destinations such as the Masai in Kenya and Tanzania, Batwa in Uganda and getting to know about their culture and way of life, enjoying traditional dance performances, preparing local cuisines with the locals among other experiences.
