Best Safari Destinations in East Africa: Where to have the Best Safari

Where to have the Best Safari in East Africa 2023;

Choosing the best safari destination in East Africa can be difficult and a daunting task as there are many destinations with many parks and unique animals and activities to explore which makes choosing one place to go on safari a challenge. Among the best Safari Destinations in East Africa, the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania and Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya stand out as the top places for a classic Big Five mammals safari, Bwindi forest National park in Uganda and Volcanoes National park in Rwanda Stand out for Gorilla Trekking and other Primates tours. Other National parks and best places to go on Safari in East Africa include Amboseli National Park in Kenya, Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, Murchison falls National Park in Uganda and Lake Nakuru Nakuru National park in Kenya among others.

Best Safari Destinations in East Africa

Below we bring you the best Safari Destinations in East Africa

Where to have the best Safari in East Africa

Serengeti National park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Volcanoes National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park
Murchison falls National park
Ngorongoro Crater
Amboseli National Park
Masai Mara Game Reserve

Kenya

Often regarded to be the ultimate safari destination in East Africa, Kenya undoubtedly incorporates some of the continent’s most rewarding and exciting national parks and wildlife reserves. Famous among all is the incomparable Masai Mara whose green grasslands support large concentrations of lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and other predators. From the months of August to October Masai Mara hosts the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle- the great Wildebeest migration when thousands of wildebeest stream across the Mara River from neighboring Tanzania.

Next in line is the iconic Amboseli, where some of the continent’s most impressive and well habituated elephant herds can be seen crossing the rugged plains below the snow-capped Kilimanjaro Mountain. We cannot forget the gem infested Rift Valley lakes of Lake Nakura which is home to rhinos, Lake Bogoria home to the flamingos and the amazing Lake Naivasha home to different species of birds and Hippos. While in Kenya you can also look out for Laikipia, Samburu Buffalo springs and Meru wildlife reserves.

A large section of a Kenya safari is ideal for couples or romantic getaway most especially the coast. Additionally, families and couples looking for quality time together should consider booking a private safari with their Engabi Tours and Travel.

Like any other sub-Saharan Africa destination, the best time to visit or go on a Kenya safari is during the dry season that happens from late June to October because these are the best wildlife viewing months and it’s the best to experience the wildebeest as the migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Tanzania

Home to the Serengeti a place that many safari lovers regard to be the greatest national park on the continent, Tanzania offers memorable, romantic and unique experiences that you can enjoy as a couple, family, group or even as a solo traveler. From climbing Africa’s highest mountain the Kilimanjaro Mountain, riding over the migration in Serengeti in a balloon safari to viewing and appreciating wildlife scenic landscapes or even relaxing at island beaches you get to create shared memories that you can reminisce about for decades to come.

The northern Tanzania safari circuit is a terrific introduction to the continent as it takes to the safari capital of Africa bringing you closer to the iconic parks of Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara and Tarangire as well as Mt Kilimanjaro.

Other world class wildlife attractions in Tanzania include the chimpanzees of Gombe and Mahale out west, or the southern wilderness parks of Selous and Ruaha which are better for return safari trips due to vast distances and the poor infrastructure.

The best time to visit Tanzania depends on your experience of interest for example between January and March is Wildebeest calving season and Serengeti national park attracts more predators such as lions, leopards among others in search of food hence this season becoming one of the best times to spot predators in the Serengeti national park.

Between June and July is the best time to witness the great wildebeest migration in large numbers in the Serengeti. However wildebeest migration can also be witnessed but not in large numbers in August till early November.

In January large numbers of migratory birds are arriving especially in Ngorongoro and Lake manyara and is the best time for birders to visit Tanzania as it increases chances of seeing variety of bird species. Tanzania Birding is also possible in November and May.

For Mountain climbers and hikes, the dry season of between and October is very favorable to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt.Meru.

However tourists should not forget that the dry season is the best time to visit Tanzania or go on a Tanzania safari because this season enables animal viewing as the grass dries up and the water holes too therefore, the animals have to move around the park in search for water and pasture and in most cases the animals tend to gather in an area having water in the national park therefore they gather around water holes rendering it the best spot for animal viewing. It also provides the best opportunity to catch the predators as they wait on the small animals coming to drink water along the banks of the river.

Uganda

Uganda is the arguably the best destination for those in search of the absolute pinnacle of primate safaris. Bwindi forest impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National park are home to the Mountain gorillas while Kibale forest National Park is home to Chimpanzees as well as colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, de Brazza monkeys and a host of other species.

Destination Uganda is just as much sought after by birders as it boasts of over a thousand species such as the handsome francolin, dwarf honey guide, purple-breasted sunbird and the unforgettable shoebill among others. Additionally Uganda is a superb destination for traditional safari by vehicle in Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National parks or by boat, thanks to its lush habitats and variety of species. For those in search of something fresh and vibrant, Uganda is the perfect choice. A sighting of lion, elephant or leopard here is a moment to treasure and is seldom shared with other vehicles. Six to 8 days are enough for a first time traveler to explore Uganda

The best time to visit Uganda is like the other East Africa destinations the winter months (southern hemisphere) from June to October

Top Uganda Safari Attractions

-Gorillas trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

-Tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park coupled with boat safaris on Kazinga channel and the largest hippo population in East Africa.

-The “Big 5” viewing, the magnificent Murchison Falls and the boat cruise safari in Murchison falls National Park.

-Chimpanzee trekking and birding in Kibale Forest National Park a lush forest which hosts the most concentrated primate population in East Africa.

-Kampala booming night life

Other Uganda safari activities

-White water rafting and kayaking in the River Nile

-Boat cruises

-Bungee jumping

-Visit to the Batwa people

-Golden monkey trekking

Rwanda

Rwanda had disappeared from the safari circuit after the tragic genocide in 1994 but this has changed over the last 24 years as the country is focusing on transformation of their best safari destinations especially the Volcanoes National park. The Country is home to half of the remaining mountain gorilla population and a superb primates destination in general including the golden monkeys and the chimpanzees in Nyungwe forest.It is a safe and friendly destination with fun activities on Lake Kivu and Big 5 mammals viewing in Akagera national park.

Top Rwanda Safari attractions

-The Magnificent Mountain Gorillas– the last of their kind.

-Golden monkey tracking

-Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest

-Experience the renowned volcanoes national park which sits on the shared border between Uganda and Rwanda and is covered in lush mountain forest..

-Visit the attractive capital city of Kigali and stop to visit the Genocide Memorial for a moving reminder of what Rwanda has survived.

-Rwanda is a wonderful family destination.

-The best time to visit Rwanda is during the dry season of mid-May to mid-October. This dry season provides perfect conditions for tracking gorillas however the general weather is fairly temperate and favors travel all year round.

-Finally you can consider combining your East Africa safari by trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda and Experience the wildebeest migration in Tanzania with extensions to Zanzibar.

We hope you are ready to pick your safari destination and ready to go for an African Safari!

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Below are some of our suggested East African safari tours you can take part in on your first Africa safari trip.