East Africa Safaris

Long distance travels which were done early tourist moving around East and south Africa where referred to as safaris. The word Safari originated the Arabic language – meaning to make a journey. The word is known for its theories that relate with incredible adventures in the African Jungle. The safari word was also used to large scale trade operations during the colonial and slave trade periods.  As time went by, the word was widely used in East African countries and it began in Kenya, then Tanzania and finally Uganda. Even after the colonial time, the word remained in operation in the East African countries.

East African countries include; Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. it is important to note that Safari word grew and spread very fast in the East African Countries due to the impressive diversity of tourist attractions that offer unique unforgettable safari experience. On the other hand, East Africa hosts numerous safari destinations that impress a lot of tourists.

East African countries cooperate in terms of business and other endeavors. Therefore, countries like Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda introduced an East Africa Visa that allows you to operate safaris in their various tourists’ destinations. This has greatly contributed to the growth of the tourism industry in East Africa since it saves time and more convenient.

East Africa is dominated by a wide range of mesmerizing types of large landscapes blessed with unique natural beauty, unique tourists’ attractions as well hospitable people that you will encounter while on your East African Safari.

Here are the safari destinations in East Africa

Uganda

Uganda safaris take you to the most outstanding adventure tourists’ destinations that offers a unique thrilling experience rare to find in other African countries. The Pearl of Africa is home to a diversity of tourist destinations including its amazing 10 national parks, like Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, Murchison Falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale forest national park among others. other interesting places to explore include; Jinja- the adventure Capital of East Africa hosting the source of the world’s longest river -the Nile River, Ssese Island Kasubi Tombs, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre among others. Uganda has got a lot of endless things to do and to see in its amazing destinations. They include; Chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, game viewing, boat cruise, mountaineering, hot air Ballooning, birding bungee Jumping, White water rafting among others.

Tanzania

Tanzania safaris have become famous due the great wildebeest migration event. The great Wildebeest migration is a unique occurrence that takes place in two national parks of Serengeti and Maasai Mara national park. the event occurs in a circular manner thus offering a wonderful safari experience on an East African safari.  Other impressive sites to visit include; Ngorongoro conservation crater, Tarangire national Park, Lake Manyara national park and Ruaha game reserve among others. Apart from the large herds of Wildebeests, Tanzania is known for hosting largest prides of lions in East Africa plus other wildlife like the leopards, antelopes, Elephants, Zebras, buffaloes among others. A safari to Tanzania gives you a chance to sight the rare tree climbing lions, enjoy Hiking the highest mountain in Africa thus allowing you spectacular views to the surrounding natural features and distant areas.

Kenya

Kenya is a great safari destination that prides in its popularity of offering the best unique rewarding safari experience to all tourists that travel to Africa. The country is home to a wide range of national parks that harbor huge populations of unique wildlife. Kenya is famous host for one of the great wonders of the world which is known as the great wildebeest Migration that occurs annually on the Mara river in Maasai Mara. Game drive in Kenya is extremely rewarding, you an opportunity to sight herds of wildlife including the African big fives.  Other incredible national parks in Kenya include; Amboseli national park, Samburu national park, Tsavo East, Lake Nakuru national park among others. beside Kenya offering the outstanding wildlife safaris in Africa, it houses beautiful and romantic sandy beaches which are a great ideal destination for couple, families and honeymooners after exploring its unique national parks. Without forgetting the authentic enormous Kenya cultures expressed by the local Maasai people.

Rwanda

Apparently, Rwanda is one of the booming safari destinations in Africa. Rwanda is also known as the land of a thousand hills that prides in offering the most rewarding luxury gorilla safaris among the three African Countries that harbor the remaining mountain gorilla population. The Rwanda development Board charges 1500 USD per person per single trek for the gorilla trekking permit. The Land of thousand Hills is blessed with a diversity of unique natural tourist attractions and can be explored on a Rwanda safari, the country has only three national parks that deliver an outstanding thrilling safari experience. Such as Akagera national park the only site to enjoy game viewing the country, Volcanoes national park famous site for mountain gorilla trekking safaris and Golden monkey tracking and Nyungwe national park popular for the chimpanzee trekking experience. The country harbors a wide range of genocide memorial sites, Museums, cultural and art galleries, markets and craft shops among others.

Best Time to go for East African safaris

The best time to go for safaris in East Africa is during the dry season in the months of June to October and December to full end of February. The dry season is characterized by little or no rain rains, warm/ hot temperatures and due to the too much heat, a lot of animals gather around the permanent water collection points in the park to take water thus giving tourist remarkable game viewing experience. At the permanent water holes, animals can be viewed in large numbers. 

It is easier to hike and go through the tropical rainforest of Rwanda and Uganda while on a gorilla trek experience in the dry season. The trekking trails and road connecting to safari destinations are dry thus easy to navigate through. However due to the rugged terrain in the national parks of East Africa, you need to hire a 4×4 safari vehicle that can manage all road conditions within the park.

It is important to note that the dry season is the best time to enjoy activities like the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya, gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda as well as game viewing with in the various parks and game reserves.

The Rainy season can also be an great ideal time to travel for safaris in East Africa although strenuous that offers a fascinating experience on your safari. the rainy season is characterized by too much heavy rains and cool temperatures. The roads connecting to the various national parks and other tourist destinations are we wet muddy and slippery thus requires a 4×4 safari vehicle to be able through them.

However, the rainy season is also referred to the low of off season when very few tourists are travelling to enjoy East African Safaris, therefore some lodges in the park close while others offer discounted accommodation rates to all travelers visiting the parks on their safari. Tour Operators also offer discounted tour packages to all tourists that book with them in the low season. Therefore, the wet season is the best time for budget travelers that love discounted rates and loners who don’t want to encounter with fellow tourists in safari destination. There are always few safari vehicles in the park on game drives and other activities.

Fortunately for travelers that are bird lovers, birding is extremely rewarding in the wet season when plant tree species are flowering thus there is a plenty of food for the bird which makes sighting easy with out taking long drives or guided nature walks. The wet season is a great time to sight the migrate birds like the less and greater flamingos from Lake Nakuru national park.

To book a tailor made East African tour with us please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our travel experts by sending an email on info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.