East Africa Safari Destinations : Everything You Need To Know About East African Safari Destinations : East African safari spots alone are enough to make someone incredibly restless. Anyone who appreciates traveling will recognize names like Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Masai Mara, while lesser-known locations like Akagera, Tarangire, and Samburu promise distinctive, unforgettable safari experiences.
By providing a well curated list of East African safari locations, Wildlife Safari is able to guarantee the quality of each safari experience. For the highest chance of seeing animals, each itinerary will only include the best examples of each type of habitat. The Focus East Africa Tours team has over 5 years of expertise in the safari sector and has personally visited all of the locations, lodges, and camps that are featured in their itineraries. As a result, they can confidently give knowledgeable suggestions.
East Africa Safari Destinations : KENYA SAFARI
Kenya continues to rank highly on travel publications’ “must-visit” lists because it is the country where modern safaris originated and where they are done best. Kenya has been doing what it does best for decades, but there is always something new to discover on Kenya safaris.
Why travel here?
Kenya is a study in contrasts, and they are all magnificent, from the semi-arid north to the Mara plains and the Indian Ocean coast. There are as many reasons to go on a safari in Kenya as there are things to do when you visit this extremely diverse country.
Light aircraft fly travelers to luxurious lodges and traditional mobile camps that are perfectly situated for maximizing exposure to wildlife, passing over mountains, deserts, and even rainforests, from Nairobi, which is evolving into a center for culture and the arts with its own vibe and energy.
In Kenya, almost anything is possible, including spending the same day watching wildebeest negotiate a reptile obstacle course in the morning and strolling through the surf beneath a colonial fort in the evening.
Even the Great Wildebeest Migration’s iconic Kenyan safari destination, the Masai Mara, which was recently relocated due to seismic activity, is competing with other well-known places like Amboseli, Tsavo, and the irresistibly called Hell’s Gate.
Tribal people of the Maasai and Samburu tribes, both of which dress traditionally, can walk about the city and the tree-lined savannah with equal ease. Kenya is a location where the old and the new live with a reasonable bit of comfort.
Through the year
The semi-arid Samburu region is evidence of how much drier the north is, and the warm Indian Ocean waters have an impact on the coastal weather, but the general pattern—dry, wet, long, short—has a comforting familiarity. Even the cyclical nature of the seasons in Kenya is typical of East Africa. Kenya’s varied landscapes are comparable in size to Botswana or France.
June to October
This is also the time that the migration enters the Mara, with August and September being the busiest months for Mara River crossings. There are many reasons why the extended dry season is the best time to go on a safari in Kenya. Much of Kenya is lush and green in June, just after the protracted wet season, but hordes of herbivorous animals will soon put an end to this.
November
Air conditioning may be required due to the high humidity along the coast, but this is countered by the clearer marine waters that make diving and snorkeling excellent. The rains in November are like a brief, tempestuous, and exhilarating love affair between the land and the sky, especially since there aren’t many witnesses. Wildlife can suffer greatly when these rains fail or arrive late.
December to March
The shorter dry season produces similar weather conditions to those in June to October, but without the Mara’s migratory activity, which may be why there are fewer tourists at this time of year; perhaps they are unaware of the increasing concentrations of game in drier regions like Samburu, the breath-taking views of Mount Kilimanjaro through the clear air above Amboseli, and the resident game in the Mara taking center stage in the abseiling.
The national parks and reserves have changed, and visitors are in for a real adventure. They will also have the opportunity to virtually experience solitude in the wild and take in incredible cloudscapes. The Amboseli elephants return, causing the ground to tremble—a sight that must be seen. A more consistent precipitation pattern during the longer rainy season is crucial for both vegetation and wildlife.
East Africa Safari Destinations : TANZANIA SAFARI
Because of the Serengeti, one of the world’s largest wilderness areas and the location of the yearly Great Wildebeest Migration, Tanzania is a safari powerhouse in East Africa. It becomes clear that Tanzania safaris can appeal to a wide range of people when the Indian Ocean Islands are included as well.
Why travel here?
Tanzania is a country that spares no expense whether it comes to the epic scale of its wilderness, the standards of its luxury safari hotels, or the quality of its wildlife experiences.
The islands of Pemba and Zanzibar offer intriguing history, peaceful beach time, and superb diving. Tanzania, like Kenya, allows travelers to mix beach and wilderness experiences without needing to add more stamps to their passports.
Tanzania is virtually always associated with the Great Wildebeest Migration, an annual occurrence that draws travelers to the Serengeti in the same steadfast way that it draws the roving antelope.
While Ngorongoro Crater’s “lost world” and nearby elephants vie for attention, Tarangire’s baobab trees provide a stunning descent into an extinct volcano.
There are many possibilities and spaces in southern Tanzania to stray off the route and have a true safari experience. Mount Kilimanjaro benevolently scowls down over the plains of northern Tanzania and taunts more brave travelers in solitude.
Through the year
Because of the abundance of game, especially during the Great Wildebeest Migration, many people prefer the lengthy dry season, which lasts from June to October. The short rains in November cause a green flush, which is followed by a brief dry season from December to March. The longer of the two annual rainy seasons typically occurs between April and May.
June to October
When the migratory wildebeest arrive and must cross the Grumeti River to continue their journey, it makes sense that the long, dry season is the busiest in Tanzania, especially for visitors to the Serengeti. At this time of year, rain is very unlikely to ruin the show, though a heavy downpour might make the drama less interesting. Mahale’s vegetation is thinned out by lower rainfall, making chimpanzees more visible.
November
After the migration has left, the savannah reacts immediately to the rains by turning suddenly green and providing a beautiful backdrop for photographs of the local wildlife. Zanzibar and Pemba experience seasonal showers, but because the humidity is tolerable, it is still possible to include some beach time in November itineraries. The so-called short rains, which typically start and end in November, signal the end of Tanzania’s busiest travel period for safaris.
December to March
This is the best time of year for safaris focused on specific interests and birding because migratory birds flock to Tanzania during this period. It is a shorter dry season sandwiched between two wetter ones. The southern Serengeti reverberates with the mass bleating of hundreds of newborn wildebeest before the long trek resumes, and Lake Manyara turns pink with returning flamingos.
April to May
Electric storms light up the skies over southern Tanzania, and the fresh greenery enchants the local herbivores. Visitors to Tanzania would be best to stay on the mainland during the protracted rains so they may enjoy witnessing numerous species’ young or taking in the Ngorongoro Crater’s floral carpets.
East Africa Safari Destinations : UGANDA SAFARI
Safaris in Uganda can include excursions to the savannah and the mountains, forays into cloud forests, and the search for the Nile’s origin. This diversity of habitats accounts for Uganda’s astounding biodiversity. Uganda, the “pearl of Africa,” is a country in East Africa that welcomes visitors with open arms and provides an incredible variety of wildlife encounters.
Why travel here?
Although Uganda is strategically located between the well-known East African safari destinations and the Great Lakes, it sees noticeably fewer tourists than either Kenya or Tanzania, giving Ugandan safaris a sense of discovery and exclusivity.
Major safari destinations in Uganda, which is bordered by Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, offer experiences that are both completely different from each of these countries and reminiscent of each, including some of the most evocative place names in all of Africa.
Since Winston Churchill’s time, Uganda has developed a reputation as one of the most hospitable safari locations and has astounded tourists with its warmth.
The towering Rwenzori Mountains, a living botanical laboratory punctuated with peaks and waterfalls, to the tangled wonderland that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (home to half of all remaining mountain gorillas), Uganda really delivers when it comes to exploring upland habitats with distinctive wildlife.
While Queen Elizabeth National Park offers more classic safari experiences that are no less compelling, Murchison Falls shows nature’s power in its purest and most unadulterated form.
Through the year
The climate in Uganda tends to follow the typical East African pattern of having two distinct seasons (wet and dry), with one season being noticeably longer than the other. While this suggests predictability, which allows for confident planning and packing, there are regional variations that are important to take note of.
March to May
The brief rains refresh and revitalize the savannah, which makes for a fantastically uncrowded time to tour the country. Wildlife has easy access to food and water, so the animals tend to disperse. Gorilla trekking is also peaceful at this time of year because there are a lot fewer tourists, which makes it easier to obtain permits.
June to August
Since rain is unlikely during this time, most safaris take place under clear skies and the warm East African sun. According to the four-season pattern, the brief rains are immediately followed by a season that is much drier. As this dry season progresses, the game tends to concentrate once more around the dwindling waterholes, and the predators follow their prey here. As forest and mountain paths dry out, getting to mountain gorillas becomes easier.
September to November
A safari now undoubtedly reveals Uganda at its most beautiful and lush, and treks to see mountain gorillas are much shorter at this time of year because they frequently descend further down the slopes. Uganda experiences a rebirth during the prolonged rains, with plants and trees blooming and many plains species giving birth to ensure that their young arrive on a well-provided scene.
December to February
The trails are easy to follow at this time of year, making it a great time to go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and game becomes more concentrated in the open-country national parks, making it easier to find them. This is a particularly popular time to visit Uganda, much like the earlier dry season was (although this is all relative, with generally fewer tourists than other East African destinations).
East Africa Safari Destinations : RWANDA SAFARIS
Mountain gorilla encounters have historically been the main focus of Rwanda safari, but travel to the country of a thousand hills also offers more commonplace but no less remarkable safari experiences, as well as insights into its rich cultural heritage. Rwanda has undergone a remarkable transformation and reinvented itself as a fantastic safari vacation spot.
Why travel here?
Despite being one of Africa’s smallest and most populated countries, Rwanda nonetheless offers great wildlife encounters in pristine ecosystems because of a forward-thinking conservation attitude. Rwanda undoubtedly pulls its weight in terms of its desirability as a safari destination.
The great draw has long been the existence of a protected and beloved population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking up a misty volcano to view one of our closest animal cousins is an experience that is both humbling and inspiring all at once.
With performances by white-maned dancers creating an unforgettable spectacle, the nation’s traditional culture has experienced a resurgence of interest and pride as a result of the nation’s growing self-assurance. Rwanda’s renaissance is a remarkable African success story that has cemented this nation’s position very firmly on the safari map.
Even though the gorillas should not be missed, the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest and the fauna of Akagera National Park, including the recently reintroduced black rhino and an immensely diversified birdlife, may elegantly fill out Rwanda safari itineraries.
Through the year
Though this small country can be considered a year-round destination, there are four distinct seasons in Rwanda, and understanding the specifics of each can help when planning Rwanda safari. By all rights, Rwanda should have an equatorial climate, but because so much of the nation is at a high elevation, it has a more temperate climate. The average annual rainfall in Rwanda is about 800 mm, but this is mostly in the mountainous north and west.
March to May
All of Rwanda’s national parks and reserves are still accessible, but going on a gorilla trek may be more difficult given how frequently it rains and how slick the ground is given that this is the long, rainy season when there is a very good chance of daily precipitation, though it typically comes in the form of brief but intense downpours that are broken up by periods of bright sunshine.
June to September
Although precipitation is always a possibility, especially in the Virunga Mountains, rainfall is drastically less throughout the year and temperatures are generally consistent. This is the most popular time to visit Rwanda because gorilla trekking is easiest at this time. More preparation is needed regarding gorilla permits. A similar-length dry season immediately follows the lengthy wet season, as if by clockwork.
October to November
Although humidity levels can be high, daily average temperatures between March and May range from 15°C to 27°C. The best times to see chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest are during the rainy seasons because they don’t have to move around as much in search of food. Rwanda’s brief wet season has similar weather patterns, with a very good chance of daily rain (especially in the mountains).
December to February
Because of their familiarity with the gorillas’ seasonal movements and the drier trails, trackers and game rangers can hike more easily during the brief dry season, which is also a very popular time for safaris in Rwanda. In Akagera National Park, this is typically the best time to see game, much like during the longer dry season.
EAST AFRICAN SAFARI: SUMMARY
Our East African safaris packages are perfect made in order to fit your must-see locations, activities, attractions, spending limit, and preferred lodging options. We strongly advise getting in touch with us at Focus East Africa tours so that we can create a tailored East African safari that includes Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park or exploring the vast Savannah of Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park.
