East Africa Safaris & Safari Holidays

Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in Uganda

Uganda is the top gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destination in the world. It holds more than half the remaining mountain gorilla population and four prime chimpanzee trekking sites, giving you a strong primate encounter on either front.

Uganda’s mountain gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Its chimpanzees live in Kibale Forest National Park, the best place in the country to see them, along with Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Kalinzu Forest. Build primate trekking into any East African safari tour that includes Uganda.

Tree-Climbing Lions in Uganda and Tanzania

Tree-climbing lions are rare. You’ll find this behavior only in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and in Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania, and almost nowhere else.

These lions climb into trees in the afternoon to rest after feeding, then return to the ground to hunt again later. Spotting one from your safari vehicle is a highlight most travelers remember. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the best place to look for them.

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

Murchison Falls is the main attraction in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s oldest and largest protected area. At the base of the falls, the Nile forces through a narrow gorge and drops over the edge, a sight you can see on any visit regardless of season.

The top of the falls offers a different view of the same drop. Most visitors see both by taking a boat cruise to the base and hiking up to the top afterward.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park has ranked among the top wildlife parks in the world. It is Uganda’s most remote park, sitting in the northeastern frontier near the Uganda-Sudan and Uganda-Kenya borders.

Despite the distance from Kampala, Kidepo offers strong big cat sightings, bird watching, scenic drives, and cultural encounters with local communities. Birdwatching in East Africa reaches some of its best territory here, with species you won’t find in the more visited southern parks. The long drive puts some travelers off, but flying in makes the park easy to reach.

Summit Mount Sabyinyo and Visit Three Countries at Once

Mount Sabyinyo is one of the Virunga Volcano Mountains, alongside Mount Muhabura, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyamuragira, and Mount Nyiragongo. Mountain gorillas live on the slopes of these mountains, though hiking gives you only limited time near them compared to a dedicated gorilla trek.

The summit of Mount Sabyinyo sits at the point where Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC meet, so this is the hike to take if you want to stand in three countries at once. The views take in the rest of the Virunga range, and the climb is usually done from the Ugandan side.

Rwanda’s Gorillas and the Virunga Mountains

Rwanda offers the most accessible gorilla trekking in the region. Volcanoes National Park, home to Rwanda’s gorillas, sits two hours from Kigali, the main entry point for Rwanda safaris, which makes short gorilla trekking trips possible.

Rwanda’s gorilla permits are the most expensive in the region at $1,500 each, though most of that fee goes directly toward gorilla conservation. Volcanoes National Park also gives access to Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, two of the eight Virunga Volcano Mountains.

Combining Kenya and Uganda on One Safari

A Kenya and Uganda safari pairs Uganda’s gorilla and chimpanzee trekking with Kenya’s classic savanna game drives, giving you primates and Big Five wildlife on a single itinerary. This combination works well as an East Africa overland tour, moving by road between parks and border crossings rather than flying each leg separately, for travelers who want to see the country in between the highlight stops.

Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

No East Africa safari tour is complete without Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. It ranks among the best wildlife parks in the world, home to all the Big Five and the major predators.

Maasai Mara also hosts the annual wildebeest migration, the largest animal migration on earth. This only happens here and in the Serengeti in Tanzania, and experts generally rank Maasai Mara as the stronger of the two for viewing it.

Amboseli National Park in Kenya

Amboseli National Park sits close to Mount Kilimanjaro and ranks among Kenya’s best wildlife parks for scenery and big game. It’s also home to some of the best hot air balloon safaris on the continent.

Beyond balloon rides and game viewing, Amboseli offers nature hikes, birdwatching, and cultural visits. Build in time for more than the headline activities to get the most from a visit here.

Elephants in Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks

Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks in Kenya rank among the best places in Africa to see elephants in the wild. If elephants are your priority, add these parks to your Kenya safari itinerary.

The two parks sit next to each other, about eight hours from Nairobi and three to four hours from Mombasa. Most Kenya safaris to Tsavo start in Nairobi and end in Mombasa, and three days is enough time to cover both parks well.

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is one of the best game-viewing parks in the world and the top park in Tanzania. Like Maasai Mara in Kenya, it hosts the annual wildebeest migration, a major draw for travelers. Over 90% of Tanzania safaris include a stop in the Serengeti.

All of the Big Five live here and are relatively easy to find, which isn’t true of every African safari destination. The main highlight for most visitors is the big cats: lions, leopards, and cheetahs, all present in strong numbers.

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Each year, wildebeest cross from the Serengeti to Maasai Mara in search of water and fresh grazing. Many wildebeest and zebras die during the crossing, taken by crocodiles in the Mara River or by predators waiting on the far bank.

Around October, the herds return to the Serengeti once the grazing in Maasai Mara runs low, facing the same river crossings on the way back. This annual event ranks among the natural wonders of the world, and advance booking is essential to secure the best viewing spots and facilities.

Ngorongoro Crater, the Garden of Eden

Ngorongoro Crater carries the nickname “Garden of Eden” for its concentration of wildlife, including all of the Big Five and the major predators. Ngorongoro Conservation Area protects the crater, along with Olduvai Gorge, where some of the earliest human remains were found.

No Tanzania safari is complete without a visit here, and adding it to a Serengeti itinerary rounds out the trip. Most Serengeti routes already pass through the conservation area, though visiting the crater itself carries an extra fee.

Summit Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, is a bucket list climb for hikers worldwide. Your route determines the length of the trek: some routes reach the summit and return in five days, others take seven.

Each route carries a different level of difficulty. Tell us how challenging you want your Kilimanjaro climb to be, and we’ll plan the route accordingly.

Zanzibar Beach Holidays

Zanzibar has some of the best beaches in Africa, backed by a deep history and strong cultural sites. A Zanzibar trip isn’t only about the beaches. It also covers historical sites tied to the region’s slave trade history, spice tours, and visits to local communities.

Zanzibar makes a strong closing stop after a trip built around primate trekking, mountain hiking, and wildlife safaris.

Diani Beach Holidays

Diani Beach in Mombasa is the easiest way to add a beach stop to a Kenya safari. Like Zanzibar, it delivers a full ocean beach experience alongside your wildlife itinerary.

Booking Your East Africa Safari With Us

We work as a full East Africa safari and touring company, building custom East Africa safari tours across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania rather than selling fixed packages alone. Whether you want a luxury East Africa safari with premium lodges and private transfers, or a leaner East Africa overland tour by road, we plan the route, permits, and logistics around what you want to see.

As a hands-on East Africa travel agency, we handle everything from gorilla and chimpanzee permits to park entry fees, vehicles, and guides, so you deal with one point of contact for the full trip rather than separate operators in each country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best East Africa safari company?

Look for an East Africa tour operator with direct experience across multiple countries, not just one park or destination, and verifiable reviews from past travelers. We plan trips across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania as a single itinerary rather than handing you off between separate operators.

What is included in an East Africa safari package?

A typical East Africa safari package includes park entry fees, a safari vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation, and permits for activities like gorilla or chimpanzee trekking. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, flights between countries, and visas are usually priced separately.

Is an East Africa overland tour a good option?

Yes, if you want to see the landscape and towns between major parks rather than flying over them. An overland tour takes longer between stops but costs less than flying each leg and works well for travelers combining Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya on one trip.

Plan Your East Africa Safari

Mountain gorillas live in only four parks worldwide: Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the DRC. Bwindi alone protects more than half the remaining mountain gorilla population. Contact us to plan your Uganda or Rwanda East Africa safari.