East Africa delivers a classic Out of Africa safari with its rolling grasslands, rich diversity of wildlife, colourful Maasai and Samburu warriors, luxurious lodges and tented camps. Visitors are warmly welcomed and the infrastructure is excellent, especially the network of airports serving the far-flung reserves via the international air hubs of Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
East Africa is home to two of Africa’s most popular safari destinations – Kenya and Tanzania – along with gorilla encounters in the rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda, and the tropical beaches of Diani, Lamu and Zanzibar.
Kenya: The Worlds Wildlife Capital
Kenya’s world-famous Masai Mara reserve is the setting for the region’s spectacular wildebeest migration between July and September each year, it boasts one of the most diverse resident wildlife populations all year round. Kenya safari highlights include the Amboseli and Samburu wildlife reserves. Kenya combines well with gorilla trekking, tropical islands like Seychelles, and Tanzania’s top reserves.
Tanzania: Home of Exotic Safaris
Tanzania’s most famous safari destinations – the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara – lie conveniently close to each other on the ‘Northern Safari Circuit’ and, along with Tarangire, deliver some of Africa’s very best Big 5 game viewing and wildebeest migration safaris. South Central Tanzania is less well known and offers uncrowded game viewing in superb reserves such as Ruaha, Selous and Katavi. For an off-the-beaten track experience into the wilderness, the exotic Mahale Mountains along Lake Tanganyika are fascinating – you’ll find forests full of chimpanzees and glorious clouds of butterflies. When it comes to travel bucket lists, Tanzania is home to both the Serengeti – the setting for the wildebeest migration between January and August – and Africa’s highest peak and the only snow-capped mountain in the tropics, Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzania combines well with gorilla trekking, tropical islands like Zanzibar, and Kenya’s top reserves.
Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to endangered mountain gorillas. The gorilla population is growing thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between local communities, national parks and tourists trekking to see them. Gorilla trekking offers one of Africa’s most unique and unforgettable experiences – encounter wild gorillas in their natural habitat, no fences, no interference other than gentle habituation to the presence of humans in the rainforest. Uganda is also a famous bird-watching destination with exotic migrants and abundant resident species. It offers Africa’s best on-foot chimpanzee encounters at Kibale Forest and unique combination safaris featuring big game and big primates in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Rwanda: The land of a thousand Hills
Tiny Rwanda punches above its weight when it comes to an East Africa safari. Fly into the capital Kigali and, within a matter of hours, you’ll be in the emerald world of the Volcanoes National Park, the rainforest home to several mountain gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda combines well with safaris in Tanzania and Kenya as well as tropical islands like Zanzibar.
Zanzibar: The Exotic African Paradise
Zanzibar is without a doubt a dream beach destination. An ideal place to get away from it all. But it also has a fascinating history and rich cultural expressions, as well as being a top adventure and eco-tourism destination.
The name alone evokes images of tropical paradise. Calling up visions of picturesque islands with soft-sand, white beaches and shimmering azure waters. Yet, the Zanzibar Archipelago has so much more to offer than romantic coastlines and blissful sunsets. These islands offer a kaleidoscope of sights, smells, tastes and experiences that will feed your soul, rejuvenate your body and reawaken your creativity.
We recommend a Zanzibar tour that combines the island’s best beaches with classic safari destinations – it really is the perfect end to a Kenya or Tanzania Safari. Once in Zanzibar, remember to explore the Spice Island and its eclectic culture by including one of our day tours as part of your island itinerary.
Our selection of Zanzibar tours and holidays includes romantic retreats and honeymoon suites in quiet boutique hotels as well as family-friendly holidays at larger beach resorts and palatial villa accommodation, fit for a Zanzibari sultan!
