East Africa safaris tours are designed to take tourists on a safari to at least two or more East African countries in just one safari. Amongst the countries to explore while on East Africa safaris tours include Uganda the pearl of Africa, Rwanda the land of a thousand hills, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo. Each of these countries in east Africa has its own unique and fascinating tourist attractions ranging from primate species such as Gorillas, chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, baboons, monkeys, mammal such as Big 5 game, bird species, reptiles, flora species, and the local community members. Several travelers on an east African safari tour usually choose to use an East African tourist visa though it includes only 3 destinations which include Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda. This implies that to enter into Tanzania, and Congo, travelers must obtain Tanzania and Congo tourist visas respectively.
Let’s have a look at the best East Africa safaris tours destinations
As mentioned above, a safari is valid to be called an East Africa safari only if it covers at least 2 destinations in East Africa.
Tanzania safaris tours: Tanzania is one of the best destinations to visit while on East Africa safari tour due to existence of several tourist attractions which include several national parks such as Serengeti national park that is the most visited national park that harbors the Wildebeests. Several travelers on an East Africa safari tour visit Serengeti national park in order to witness the migration of the Wildebeests which seasonally migrate between two national parks of Serengeti national park in Tanzania and Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya. Apart from Serengeti national park, Tanzania has other several national parks that are best destinations for wildlife viewing safaris and these include Lake Manyara national park which is also frequently visited by tourists in order to have a glance at the tree climbing lions. This can be joined with a visit to Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda to view more tree climbing lions since these unique species are only found in two beautiful countries in East Africa and that is Tanzania and Uganda. There is also a famous park known as Tarangire national park for wildlife viewing safaris in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro conservation area, Mount Kilimanjaro national park, Arusha national park, Lake Natron and many more national game reserves which include Selous game reserve, Uwanda game reserve among others. A safari to Tanzania opens the door to game drive/ wildlife viewing safaris, birding safaris, boat cruise safaris, nature walks, cultural safaris, hot air balloon safaris, beach safaris etc.
Kenya safaris tours: Like Serengeti national park in Tanzania, Kenya also got the magical Masai Mara national reserve best known for harboring the largest population of wildlife species including the wildebeest that are seen on a migration via Mara River to and from Serengeti national park in Tanzania. This implies that an East Africa safari tour to Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya is one of the best east Africa safaris that enables tourists to watch the wildebeest on a migration in the two countries. Other than Masai Mara, Kenya has other plenty tourist destinations which include Lake Nakuru national park famous for harboring flamingos and other beautiful water birds. A Kenya safari also takes travelers to Tsavo national park both Tsavo East and Tsavo west national parks, Hell’s Gate national park, Amboseli national park, Samburu national park, Mt. Elgon national park and many more all with unique attractions of fauna and flora. Kenya is also a best destination for wildlife viewing safaris, birding adventures, Mountain hiking safaris, nature walk, cultural tours, swimming and boat cruise safaris among others. A combined East African safari to Kenya and Tanzania can easily be tailored since the two countries are close to one another with close national parks such as Masai Mara and Serengeti that are separated by Mara River. Grab your east Africa wildlife safari to Masai Mara and Serengeti national park to enjoy unbeatable expedition in east Africa.
Uganda safaris tours: An East Africa safari without Uganda is incomplete because there is a whole lot of things to see with in this landlocked country known as Uganda the pearl of Africa. This implies that Uganda is the most beautiful destination that should never be left out while on a tour to east Africa. A safari to Uganda enables tourists to visit the most powerful waterfall known as Murchison falls (the devil’s Cauldron) which is situated in the oldest and largest national park in Uganda that also harbors the big 5 games as long as tourists visit Ziwa Rhino sanctuary along the way to or from Murchison falls national park. There is yet an encounter with the rare and endangered primate species which is none other than Mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park. It’s in record that Uganda harbors the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas with more than a half of the remaining gorillas surviving in Bwindi impenetrable national park. There is also one gorilla family in Mgahinga national park. The one and only Nyakagezi gorilla family. Trekking mountain gorillas has always been the most fascinating and adventurous experience in the pearl of Africa. The remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas is found in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and in Virunga national park with in Congo so one is in position to enjoy gorilla trekking safari in East Africa with in 3 destinations including Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. There is yet another adventurous activity of chimpanzee trekking which is carried out in Kibale forest national park one of the best primate destinations in Uganda with 13 primate species. Other chimpanzees in Uganda are trekked in Budongo forest in Murchison falls national park, Kyambura gorge & Kalinzu forest of queen Elizabeth national park, and Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary. The savanna national parks of Uganda are also the best destinations for wildlife viewing safari and these include the most beautiful queen Elizabeth national park which is the home to the tree climbing lions and the stunning kazinga channel that harbors a huge populations of Hippos. Lake Mburo national park, the best destination for walking safaris in Uganda, Semliki national reserve the best destination for the nature walks to visit the sempaya hot springs and cruise along Lake Albert. Hike some of the beautiful mountains including Rwenzori Mountains, Mt. elgon, and many more. There are many other tourist attractions in Uganda including the cultural centers such as Bigo bya mugyenyi, Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, Nakayima tree, Nyero rock paintings, and many more. Uganda is also the best destination for religious tours where tourists are in position to explore Gadhafi mosque, Lubaga cathedral, Namirembe church, Namugongo martyrs shrines and many more. In general Uganda offers travelers with Primate viewing safaris (Gorilla trekking safaris, gorilla habituation experience, chimpanzee trekking safaris, and Golden monkey tracking safaris), birding safaris, cultural tours, wildlife viewing safaris, mountaineering safaris, walking safaris, and many more.
Rwanda safaris tours: Rwanda is also a beautiful country to explore while on an east Africa safari. Rwanda is termed as a land of a thousand hills due to plenty thrilling hills with beautiful terraces. Rwanda is yet amongst the destinations visited by travelers on a safari to east Africa due to its beautiful attractions which include national parks like Volcanoes national park that is situated within Virunga massif that is well known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas and the volcanic mountains. In Rwanda, it’s only in volcanoes national park where tourists trek the endangered mountain gorillas with other mountain gorillas found in Congo and Uganda. Another beautiful national park to visit in Rwanda is Nyungwe forest national park which harbors 13 species of primates including Chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons and many other primates. A fascinating canopy walk is also another golden opportunity never to miss while on an east Africa safari and it’s only enjoyed in Nyungwe forest national park Rwanda. For thrilling game drive adventures in Rwanda, visit Akagera national park for game drive safaris in the savanna vegetation cover and boat cruise along Lake Ihema. Apart from National park, Rwanda is also frequently visited by travelers who wish to know the history of Rwanda, visit the genocide memorial sites where thousands of Rwandese were murdered in cold blood. Lake Kivu is also a beautiful lake to visit while on Rwanda safari due to its stunning views of the surrounding including the view of Mount Nyiragongo which is situated in Congo with in virunga massif and many more. In general, there are several safaris in Rwanda such as Gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, Golden monkey tracking safaris, canopy walk, exploration of Lake Kivu, volcanoes hiking safaris, Dian Fossey hiking safari, nature walking safaris, birding safaris, cultural tours to Ibyiwacu cultural village etc.
Congo safaris tours: Like any other country in East Africa, Congo is also a best destination to visit while on East Africa safari tour to explore its beautiful attractions such as Virunga national park that harbors endangered mountain gorillas and Volcano Mountains. Another park to visit in Congo is Kahuzi Beiga National park which harbors Eastern lowland gorillas. The most enjoyable safaris in Congo include Nyiragongo hiking safaris in Virunga national park, Mountain gorilla trekking in virunga national park, and Eastern lowland gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi Beiga national park among others. Any of these safaris can be combined with other safaris from any other country with in East African region in order to enjoy a full east Africa adventure.
The best time for East Africa safari tour
The best time to have an east African safari depends on the activities one intends to do otherwise a safari to east Africa can be done at any given period of time all year round but the best months to visit the parks in east Africa is during the dry months when the parks are dry, accommodations are dry and the sighting of the wildlife is easy.
For instance, the dry months are the best seasons for primate viewing safaris, game viewing safaris, walking safaris, hiking safaris and visiting the beaches in East Africa. In these months, the vegetation cover is minimal for easy sighting of the wildlife and easy trailing through during the hiking and trekking safaris while the rainy months are the best months for birders to visit East Africa since most of the bird species reproduce in rainy months and also visit the forest due to existence of plenty food to eat.
On the other hand, travelers who wish to watch the wildebeests on migration, I recommend to visit east Africa during the months of July, August, September, October, and November which is the season for the Wildebeests to migrate through Mara River.
Conclusion: Book your East Africa safari tour to either two countries within an East African region or you may even book a safari that covers all the 5 countries which include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Congo. Focus East Africa Tours is always ready to tailor for you a desirable Itinerary that suites the destinations you intend to visit.
