The East African region showcases such great safari encounters and some are not found elsewhere in the world. Naming that special tourist destination for safaris, countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have all the treasures that you seek for to have a memorable safari experience. In this article, learn about the different safari experiences that you should not miss in East Africa.
Below are the most rated thrilling safaris that tourists seek for from the East African region. These safari experiences are to explain all that you can do and where to go during your safari in East Africa;
Wildebeest Migration; Masai Mara and Serengeti Experience
One of East Africa’s wonders is the Wildebeest Migration, the largest mammal migration in the world. During this event, the largest collection of millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and many more mammals cross from Serengeti National Park of Tanzania to Masai Mara National Park of Kenya and vice versa. This great migration cycle happens every year between the famous Masai Mara and the Serengeti. This dramatic wild migration is the most famous safari adventure done on the African continent where mobs of mammals in a loop can be seen crossing the Mara River from Kenya to Tanzania or otherwise.
The wildebeest migration is a dramatic show that greatly rewards the most animal view. Both Parks of Masia Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park host the largest number of wildebeests in the world. Don’t miss this wild dramatic show where thousands of wildebeests combined with zebras and gazelles make a mob migration.
Gorilla Trekking; Volcanoes and Bwindi Experiences
One of the popular adventures is gorilla trekking, an amazing adventure which involves physical encounters with the rare mountain gorillas in the wild. This adventure involves traveling on bumpy roads through rolling volcanic landscapes. The experience later involves through the misty, thorny and muddy ground seeking for an encounter with man’s closest relatives.
The endangered mountain gorilla is endemic to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and the Virunga Massif, which is shared between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within Uganda and Rwanda, mountain gorillas remain the star attraction, pulling tourists from all over the world.
Every year thousands of travelers go gorilla tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of south-western Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park of Northern Rwanda.
The Volcanoes National Park Rwanda offers the most luxurious gorilla trekking experience and the gorilla permit costs US$1500 per person. Several high-end lodges have been set up within the vicinity of the park such as Wilderness Bisate Lodge, Wilderness Sabinyo Lodge, Virunga Lodge, And Beyond Gorilla Nest Lodge, etc.
On the other hand, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most affordable destination for gorilla trekking. The park offers a gorilla permit at as low as US$800 per person and offers higher opportunities of watching the apes. The park hosts almost half of the world’s remaining gorillas and about 24 families have been habituated for gorilla watching.
The exciting moment of seeing the mountain gorillas is highly regulated and activity is limited to one hour.
Game Drives; Wild Savannah experiences
Game Watching is one of the major draws of most travelers to East Africa. The region is blessed with several savannah national parks. Your safari experiences in this sphere are always complete when taking a game drive. East Africa lies in the equatorial hemisphere characterized by tropical, savannah grassland and semi-arid spaces. The wider savannah grassland and woodlands had been conserved for wildlife protection.
Game viewing is one of the leisurely adventures that you can take in several national parks. While seated in your 4×4 safari vehicle with a ranger guide from the park, you can enjoy a guided game drive, one of the most rewarding moments of watching the wild game. The drive off the beaten path through the savannah grasslands through designed tracks or trails is a rewarding safari experience that has been dubbed an African safari.
The game-viewing encounters through the wildlife-rich savannah-protected areas is something you will never miss on your African safari list. On this African safari adventure expect to encounter the highest number of wildlife including larger mammals such as herds of elephants, buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, and wild cats like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas among others. On a game drive, there are chances to watch several bird species, and unique flora (trees and plants), among others.
When visiting any of the East African countries, below are some of the parks and reserves to visit for a limitless game drive experience. It’s a list per country.
Tanzania; Serengeti National Park, Seolus Game Reserves, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Mikumi Mountains National Park, Ngorongoro Crater among other parka.
Kenya; Masai Mara Game Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park among others.
Uganda; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, among others
Rwanda; Game drives are only done in Akagera National Park.
Chimpanzee Tracking: Uganda and Rwanda
Chimpanzee tracking is not such a common experience! Chimpanzee tracking is among the amazing adventures that you can take in East Africa. Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda are the best destinations where you can experience chimpanzee tracking at its best.
Chimpanzees are the second largest apes after the gorillas. Chimpanzee tracking involves walking through tropical rainforests in search of man’s closest living relatives. The activity is done in a few national parks such as Mthe ahale Mountains National Park of Tanzania, Kibale National Park, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest in Uganda, as well as Nyungwe National Park of Rwanda. These parks host a large population of chimpanzees and the chimpanzee walk is rewarding with sightings of other amazing creatures that call the tropical rainforests home.
The chimpanzee communities visited are fully habituated to enable tourists for a close encounter. Tracking sessions of chimpanzees almost follow the same procedure as gorilla trekking. At finding the apes on the tracking you have an hour in their presence.
Mountain Hikes: Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
The East African region hosts Africa’s tallest mountains. Mountain Kilimanjaro is the tallest and is dubbed the “roof of Africa”. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain and The Rwenzori are third highest. The three mentioned mountains are great attractions for both first-time and advanced hikers.
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in northern Tanzania. It is not only Africa’s highest mountain but also the highest free-standing mountain above sea level. Towering to 5895m above sea level, this mountain of greatness offers a rewarding experience to hikers.
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano with the second-highest peak in Africa. Rising to 5199 meters, this mountain in North Eastern Kenya lies about 16km from the Equator. Of all East African mountains, the Rwenzoris are the most challenging to hike! Though not as popular as the Kilimanjaro Mountains, climbing Mount Kenya is a real treat for mountain lovers!
The Rwenzori Mountains are located along the Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The highest peak of the Rwenzoris towers to 5109 metres above sea level. The mountain offers challenging hikes to climbers and a central circuit trail to its highest peak takes 7 days of ascending and descending.
