With four countries, East Africa offers incredible safari destinations; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. East Africa’s top safari destinations include the iconic Masai Mara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Amboseli National Park for game viewing safaris. And Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla encounters.
Places You Must Visit in East Africa
Uganda
Dubbed the Pearl of Africa by Churchill, Uganda offers a mix of primate jungles with classic African safaris. This incredible East Africa Safari destination offers a range of experiences including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game viewing, boat safaris, mountaineering, guided nature walks, and cultural encounters.
Must-Visit Destinations in Uganda
Uganda is a country of diversity with currently 10 national parks and 11 wildlife reserves spanning savannah, forest, and waterways across various parts of the country. Here are the must visit Uganda safari destinations.
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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in the southwestern part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. The park is a biologically varied region protected 120 mammal species, 350 bird species and about 324 species of trees.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to see mountain gorillas in the world, hosting half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla families. Bwindi is a perfected destination for gorilla trekking, nature hikes, cultural encounter and birding.
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Kibale Forest National Park
Dubbed as the primate capital of Africa, Kibale Forest National Park is the best place for chimpanzee trekking adventure. The park is found in western part of Uganda about 348 from Kampala and about 26 kilometers southeast of the beautiful Fort Portal Town.
With 13 primate species including the largest population of chimpanzees in East Africa, Kibale Forest is the best place to see chimpanzees in the world. There are other primates to see including olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others. In additional to chimpanzee trekking, Kibale Forest National Park offers chimpanzee habituation experience, nature walking safaris and birding.
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Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular wildlife park in Uganda and the second largest with a land area of 1,978 square kilometers spreading across the Albertine Rift Valley. The park prides itself in a great diversity of habitats including savannah, acacia woodlands, tropical forest, grasslands, fertile wetlands and lakes within its borders, providing a haven to over 600 bird species, 95 mammas and 10 species of primates.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is an incredible destination for wildlife game drives, boat safaris and birding.
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Murchison Falls National Park
With a land area of 3,900 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley, where the sweeping Bunyoro Escarpment tumbles into vast, palm-dotted savannah. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall into the “the Devil’s Cauldron” creating the dramatic Murchison Falls – one of the most remarkable attractions in the park.
Murchison Falls National Park offers incredible game viewing safaris, boat cruises on the bottom of Murchison Falls, guided nature walks and birding.
Rwanda
With only four national parks, Rwanda is one of the most fascinating safari destinations in East Africa. The country’s parks showcase diverse ecosystem and wildlife, from the mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Volcanoes National Park, the rainforests of Nyungwe and Gishwati – Mukura and savannah of Akagera National Park.
Must-Visit Destinations in Rwanda
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Volcanoes National Park
Located in Northwest of Kigali, Volcanoes National Park is the most popular of the four wildlife parks in Rwanda in the Virunga Mountains. The park serves a unique refuge for the endangered mountain gorillas, while here trek through the misty jungle for an opportunity to observe these remarkable animals in their natural habitat.
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Akagera National Park
The only savannah park in Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a beautiful blend of wetlands, savannah ecosystems and highlands. The park’s diverse landscape is home to a wide range of wildlife, providing an authentic African safari experience.
While on a safari in Akagera National Park, visitors can enjoy adventurous game drives and witness animals like elephants, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, and different antelope species. as well as boat safaris on Lake Ihema and guided nature walks.
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe Forest National Park is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. This verdant expanse of ancient rainforests is a paradise for primates, the park has 13 primate species including chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.
While on a primate safari in Nyungwe Forest National Park, embark on a chimpanzee trek and follow their calls through the dense foliage guided by experienced trackers, witnessing these intelligent creatures swinging through the trees.
Kenya
Home to Big Five – elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and rhinos, Kenya is the birthplace of Africa safaris offering incredible safari experience in its remarkably beautiful national parks and reserves.
Must-visit Destinations in Kenya
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Masai Mara National Reserve
The iconic Masai Mara National Reserve is the jewel in Kenya’s wildlife crown, known for its exceptional populations of the Big 5 and Big Cats as well as the Great Wildebeest Migration. This annual event sees millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles making their daring journey across the Mara River, creating an incredible sight that is hailed as the most iconic attraction in Kenya and wildlife experience in the world.
Masai Mara National Reserve offers remarkable game viewing safaris, balloon safaris, guided nature walks and cultural encounters.
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Amboseli National Park
Stretching along the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the most popular national park in Kenya known for its large herds of elephant and the scenic back drop of Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest mountain in Africa.
Watch large herds of elephants wallow in the shallows, dust bathing or coming so close to your safari vehicle that you can see their eyelashes.
Amboseli National Park offers intimate game viewing safaris, balloon safari, guided nature walks and bird watching.
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Nairobi City
Nairobi is a city of all, the Capital of Kenya and a great stopover before you head off on safari or hit the beautiful beaches of Kenya coastal area. With art galleries, open – air cinemas showcasing African films, shopping, stand-up comedy shows and museums, Nairobi is rich in cultural experience.
Are you interested in a safari in the middle of the city, head to Nairobi National Park – a unique national park (one of its kind – the only park in the world found within the borders of a capital city).
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Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Located in Central Kenya, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a remarkable safari destination, offering both traditional safaris and is a primate opportunity to witness wildlife conservation efforts firsthand.
Resting at the foot of Mount Kenya, overlooked by its dramatic snow-capped peak, Ol Pejeta Conservation is home of the world’s last two northern white rhinos. The conservancy is renowned for protecting various species, including the world’s last northern white rhinos.
Tanzania
A safari in Tanzania is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife adventures in Africa, Tanzania is one of the best destination to visit on the continent. This iconic safari destination is home to all of Africa’s Big Five, rare and endangered species, and the Great Migration renowned as the greatest show on earth.
With 38% of its land reserved as protected wildlife areas, Tanzania offers wide choice of national parks and game reserves, all designed for different interests and travel preferences.
Must- Visit Destinations in Tanzania
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Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the largest and most iconic national park in Tanzania, one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing. This park is also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and a bucket-list destination for many travelers and safari enthusiasts.
In addition to the Big Five, Serengeti National Park is also the host to the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle – The Great Migration. Every year, beginning around July, over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras and antelopes move in thundering mass from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, in search of greener pastures.
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Ngorongoro Crater
Named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most extraordinary destinations on the continent. Located in the Crater Highlands of Northern Tanzania, the conservation area is one of the country’s most famous safari hotspots, home to a remarkable abundance of diversity of wildlife.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the mighty Ngorongoro Crater – The Garden of Eden, an ancient volcanic crater spanning 260 square kilometers, surrounded by a 600 metre high crater wall. It is the world’s largest intact and unfilled caldera, which alone is home to over 25,000 large game animals. The crater is also one of the few places in Africa where you can see all the Big Five – elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffaloes in a single day.
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Tarangire National Park
Set off the main safari circuit of Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, Tarangire National Park is renowned for its incredibly concentration for wildlife including large herds of elephants, and stunning natural scenery.
During the dry season (June to October), the Tarangire River become a magnet for wildlife from all over the region. As the only water source for animals, the river attracts large herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, impala, eland and warthogs to drink. On a game drive you will see several predators including lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs and leopards.
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Zanzibar
Escape to the enchanting Zanzibar Island for a relaxing romantic experience after your thrilling safari adventure in Tanzania’s coast. Zanzibar Island is a paradise of white sand beaches, coral reefs, diving sites, and mangrove forests teeming with monkeys.
The island is a melting pot of cultures, showcasing influences from Arabia, Persia, India and Europe. Explore the historic Stone Town, where you can hear exotic languages, taste delicious cuisines, and admire the architecture of the former trading port.