East Africa Safaris – Explore African Safari Tours at the Best Cost

Any tourist who wants an unforgettable African safari should visit East Africa. This region is where all the magic happens, and below are some of the travel highlights you should experience when you visit East Africa for safaris.

Visit Mountain Gorillas & Common Chimpanzees in Uganda

Uganda is undoubtedly the best gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destination in the world.

With over half the remaining population of mountain gorillas and over four prime chimpanzee trekking destinations, you are bound to have the best experience with the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees of Uganda.

Uganda’s mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, whereas the chimpanzees are found in Kibale Forest National Park (best place to see chimps), Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Kalinzu Forest, among other destinations.

When planning your East African safari, always consider Uganda for primate trekking experiences.

Visit the Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions in Uganda & Lake Manyara in Tanzania

Not all lions climb trees. These tree-climbing lions can be found in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda or Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania and hardly anywhere else in the world.

These tree-climbing lions spend their afternoons relaxing on trees as they wait for dawn.

Usually, during such times, they are already fed and need rest. They only hunt again when they get on the ground.

Seeing this species of lions atop your tourist vehicle is an incredible experience that most tourists enjoy.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best place to see these lions.

Visit Murchison Falls, One of the World’s Most Powerful Waterfalls

The Murchison Falls is the prime attraction in Murchison Falls National Park, the oldest and largest conservation area in Uganda.

At the bottom of the falls, you will see the water of the Nile squeeze through a narrow gorge and plunge to the bottom of the falls.

This happens all the time, and regardless of the time you visit the falls, you will witness this experience.

At the top of the falls, you will get an even better experience and see the occurrence from the back.

However, most travelers to Murchison Falls National Park witness both views of the falls. They cruise to the bottom of the falls and hike to the top afterward.

Kidepo Valley National Park Is a Gem

Previously ranked third among the best wildlife parks in the world, Kidepo Valley National Park is a gem.

This park is the most remote national park in Uganda and sits on the wild frontier region of northeastern Uganda, right next to the Uganda-Sudan and Uganda-Kenya borders.

Despite the distance from Kampala, Kidepo Valley National Park is a great place to see the big cats, go bird watching, take a scenic tour, and experience authentic cultural experiences.

Most tourists get discouraged to visit this park because of the long drive. However, if you can afford to access the park by plane, you are very good to go.

Summit Mount Sabyinyo and Visit Three Countries at Once

Mount Sabyinyo is one of the Virunga Volcano Mountains that make up the Virunga Conservation Area.

The other mountains include Mount Muhabura, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyamuragira, and Mount Nyiragongo.

Below these mountains are mountain gorillas, which you will most likely meet when hiking any of these mountains, although you won’t be allowed a lot of time around them.

When you summit Mount Sabyinyo, you will be at a point shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.

So if you want to be in these three countries at the same time, this is the right mountain to hike.

The views here are also spectacular, and you will see the other Virunga Volcano Mountains.

The hike on this mountain is usually carried out from the Ugandan side.

Visit Rwanda Gorillas and Hike the Virunga Mountains

Rwanda offers the most accessible gorilla trekking experiences.

Volcanoes National Park, the home of Rwanda gorillas, is just two hours away from Kigali (the main entry point for Rwanda safaris), which has made it possible to have shorter gorilla trekking safaris that can even last for hours.

Rwanda gorilla permits, on the other hand, are the most expensive, with each permit going for $1500.

However, most of this money goes back towards gorilla conservation, so buying gorilla permits is one way of saving gorillas.

In Rwanda, you can also hike Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, two of the eight Virunga Volcano Mountains.

Visit Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

No East African safari is complete without a visit to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

This reserve is one of the best wildlife viewing parks in the world, sheltering all the big five game animals and the big cats.

Maasai Mara also hosts the annual wildebeest migration, the largest animal migration on earth.

This occurrence is one of the natural wonders of the world. It only happens in Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania.

You cannot experience it anywhere else in the world. However, of the two parks, experts have branded Maasai Mara a better place to see the wildebeest migration.

Get Lost in Amboseli National Park

If you love good scenery and big game, Kenya’s Amboseli is a definite park for you to visit. Located close to Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s best wildlife safari parks.

Some of the best hot air balloon experiences in the African continent are got from here.

Despite the flawless balloon safari experiences and big game wildlife viewing encounters, Amboseli is also a great place for nature hikes, birding, and cultural encounters.

When you visit the park, try to engage in as many safari activities as possible to get the best out of it, unlike most travelers who only concentrate on the primary experiences.

Ride with the Elephants in Tsavo East/West National Parks

Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Parks in Kenya are some of the best parks in Africa to see elephants in the wild.

If your main interest is seeing elephants, consider including these parks in your Kenya safaris itinerary at all costs. You will not regret your visit here.

Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Parks are located adjacent to each other.

They are both approximately eight hours from Nairobi and approximately three to four hours from Mombasa. Most Kenya safaris to Tsavo start from Nairobi and end in Mombasa.

You can visit both these wildlife parks in just a span of three days and have a good experience.

Visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is one of the best game viewing parks in the world and the best in Tanzania.

Just like Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park also hosts the annual wildebeest migration experience, an occurrence that has become a hot cake among travelers.

Over 90% of Tanzania safaris include Serengeti among their destinations.

All the big five game animals are found here and can be seen with ease, which is not the case in most African safari countries.

However, the main highlights of a Serengeti safari are the big cats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as there are so many here.

The Great Annual Wildebeest Migration (A World Wonder)

Each year, wildebeests cross from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve in search of green vegetation and water.

During this migration, many wildebeests and zebras lose their lives to the crocodiles in the Mara River and the big cat predators on the other side of Maasai Mara.

A wildebeest has to overcome all these hurdles to make it to the side with green vegetation.

Around October, they return to Serengeti National Park after exhausting the vegetation and water sources in Maasai Mara and have to go through the same challenges.

These river crossings are a natural movie in the wild. It’s one of the wonders of the world and happens annually.

You’ll have to make an advance booking to get the best facilities and services.

The Ngorongoro Crater, Also Known as the Garden of Eden

Ngorongoro Crater is known as the Garden of Eden in Tanzania. In this crater are many animals, including all the big five game animals and the big cats.

The crater is protected by Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the same area that protects the Olduvai Gorge, a place where the remains of early men were found.

No Tanzania safari is complete without a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. Adding it to a Serengeti tour package will give you the best wildlife safari experience in Tanzania.

In fact, most Serengeti safaris pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You have to pay an extra fee if you want to visit the crater.

Summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Tallest Mountain

What other experience would beat the feeling of summiting Africa’s tallest mountain? Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket list destination for mountain hikers. A lot has happened on this mountain, and many celebrities have been here.

The journey to the summit depends on which route you have taken. Some routes will take you to the summit and back to the starting point in five days, whereas some will take seven days.

Each route has its own level of difficulty, hence, it’s always advisable to communicate how difficult you want your Kilimanjaro trek to be so that we can plan for it accordingly.

Relax at Zanzibar Beach Holidays

Without a doubt, Zanzibar has some of the best beaches in Africa and, to top it all, it has many historical artifacts, a rich history, and great attractions.

So, a safari to Zanzibar is not always about relaxing on its powder-white beaches while enjoying the spectacular views of the Indian Ocean.

It’s also about exploring some of its historical artifacts, learning about the slavery that was in this area, discovering various spices, visiting the local communities, and checking out some of its attractions.

Zanzibar is a paradise, and you should visit to relax from your primate trekking experiences, mountain hiking adventures, and wildlife escapades.

How About Diani Beach Holidays?

The best and easiest way to add a beach safari experience to your Kenyan holiday is by visiting Diani Beach in Mombasa. Just like Zanzibar, Diani offers a true ocean beach safari experience.

Popular East African Safari Questions & Answers

Below are some of the most popular East African safari questions and answers that will help you plan your trip even better.

• What makes East Africa special for safaris? East Africa is famous for unforgettable safari experiences with amazing wildlife and natural beauty.
• Where can I see mountain gorillas in Uganda? Mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Which is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda? Kibale Forest National Park is the top place for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.
• What are tree-climbing lions, and where can I see them? Tree-climbing lions rest in trees during the day and can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, and Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.
• Why is Murchison Falls in Uganda famous? It is one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, with water squeezing through a narrow gorge and plunging dramatically.
• What wildlife can I see in Kidepo Valley National Park? Kidepo is home to big cats, birds, and unique cultural experiences in a remote wilderness.
• What is special about Mount Sabyinyo? You can stand at a point where Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo meet when you climb Mount Sabyinyo.
• Why is gorilla trekking popular in Rwanda? Rwanda offers easy access to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, just two hours from Kigali.
• What makes Maasai Mara in Kenya unique? It hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration and is one of the best places to see all the big five game animals.
• What can I experience in Amboseli National Park? Amboseli offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, big game, and hot air balloon safaris.
• Where can I see many elephants in Kenya? Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks are the best places to see elephants.
• Why should I visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania? Serengeti is famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration and abundant big cats.
• What is the Great Wildebeest Migration? It is an annual movement of wildebeests and zebras between Serengeti and Maasai Mara in search of food and water.
• Why is Ngorongoro Crater called the Garden of Eden? It has a rich concentration of wildlife, including the big five, in a beautiful natural setting.
• What is special about Mount Kilimanjaro? It is Africa’s tallest mountain and a bucket-list destination for hikers.
• What can I do in Zanzibar besides enjoying the beaches? You can explore historical sites, learn about spices, and visit local communities.
• What makes Diani Beach in Kenya special? Diani Beach offers a relaxing ocean experience with beautiful white sand and turquoise waters.
• Where can I combine wildlife safaris with a beach holiday? Zanzibar in Tanzania or Diani Beach in Kenya are perfect for adding a beach holiday to a safari.
• What are the Virunga Volcano Mountains? These are a chain of volcanic mountains in East Africa, home to gorillas and stunning hiking trails.
• How much does a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda cost? A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500.
• What is the best time to see tree-climbing lions? Tree-climbing lions are usually resting in the afternoon, making it the best time to see them.
• Can I visit Kidepo Valley National Park by plane? Yes, flying to Kidepo is an option if you want to avoid the long drive.
• Why is Murchison Falls National Park important? It is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area, with amazing wildlife and waterfalls.
• Where is the best place to see big cats in East Africa? Big cats are abundant in Serengeti, Maasai Mara, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
• What is the highlight of Amboseli safaris? The highlight is seeing Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants.
• How long does it take to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Depending on the route, it takes 5 to 7 days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Why should I visit Tsavo National Parks? Tsavo is great for seeing elephants and experiencing Kenya’s wild landscapes.
• How can I see the wildebeest migration? Visit Maasai Mara in Kenya or Serengeti in Tanzania during the migration season.
• Why is Kibale Forest the best for chimpanzee trekking? It has a large number of chimpanzees and offers the best trekking experiences.
• What activities can I do in Zanzibar? You can relax on the beaches, explore historical sites, and visit spice farms.