Reasons to visit East Africa

As you plan your next safari to Africa, the best destination to consider is East Africa. East Africa has been known as one of the best and most unique safari destinations on the African continent, with many popular safari destinations, including Masai Mara National Reserve, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Tarangire and Murchison among others.  In your East African safari, expect to observe different animal species including the big five and several bird species. In short, East Africa has everything from National Parks, beaches, cultures and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Below are some of the reasons why one should visit East Africa. Contact us for more information.

Most Popular Safaris

10 Day Rwanda Akagera and Kenya Coast Safari

15 Day Uganda Gorillas & Kenya Beaches

14 Day Uganda Sese, Mombasa, Watamu tour

4 Day Masai Mara Safari

8 Day Masai Mara Gorilla & Chimp Safari

11 Days Tanzania Great Migration & Zanzibar

10 Days Tanzania & Zanzibar Beach

10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Zanzibar

10 Days Rwanda Primate & Zanzibar

15 Days Kenya Wildlife & Zanzibar

The wildebeest migration:

The wildebeest migration is one of the best and awe spectacles in the whole world and this involves over 1.5 million wildebeests together with hundreds and thousands of gazelles and zebras moving across the vast plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of grazing land. Researchers believe that the animals move when there is a change in the weather conditions in either Serengeti in Tanzania or Masai Mara in Kenya. Witnessing the wildebeest migration is an incredible journey. Note that this is a continuous cycle that happens every year. It starts from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the animals cross into Masai Mara after crossing the crocodile-infested Grumeti River and Mara Rivers in search of pasture. The Mara crossings are the best as you get to see animals fight for their life while crossing the river, and while others are attacked by crocodiles, some cross successfully, whereas others turn back. Some predators are always waiting for the unsuspecting wildebeests to cross.

The great wildebeest migration is the largest animal migration in the whole world and the best time to watch it is between June and October in Tanzania and July to September in Masai Mara in Kenya. Book in advance and enjoy the wildebeest migration, one of the most sought-after safari activities in East Africa.

Gorilla trekking:

Mountain gorillas are a top tourist attraction in East Africa, especially Uganda, which is home to half the world’s remaining population of the Mountain gorillas in the world. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park making it one of the best safari destinations in East Africa. The Mountain gorillas are an endangered species that are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is home to the Mountain gorillas and it is the only place in the country where you can find the gorillas. Trekking gorillas in East Africa need first purchase a gorilla permit whi, which can be bought at f the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda through a trusted tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris. The opportunity to spend time with the endangered species in their natural habitat is an experience that all tourists should engage in while on a safari to East Africa. The gorilla trekking permits have to be booked in advance because they are always in high demand esp,  especially during the dry season, and you need to book them at least 6 months before the trek date.

Gorilla trekking is not all about trekking and spotting the endangered species; it also involves conserving the Mountain gorillas and their natural habitat. The money obtained from the sale of the gorilla permits is used to help fund crucial projects which help protect the endangered Mountain gorillas. This should be on your bucket list and one of the main reasons for visiting East Africa.

Climbing Mountain Kilimanjaro:

Mount Kilimanjaro is the ultimate destination for mountain climbing in East Africa and it is the tallest Mountain on the African continent. The iconic Kilimanjaro Mountain is at 5895 meters above sea level, and the trek is a challenging one with about seven trek routes to use, some of which are more difficult to use than others. Tourists planning on taking on the hike to the Kilimanjaro summit have to be able to first acclimatize and be physically fit to take on the Mountain. Mountain Kilimanjaro has diverse climatic zones from alpine rain forests to the snow-capped summit. If you are an experienced climber or it's your first time, Mountain Kilimanjaro offers the best and most thrilling adventures and views of the surrounding areas. The rich biodiversity is the best especially when trekking through the different climatic zones. The best time to go mountain climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry season from June to September when the hike routes are easier to use.

The East African Tourist Visa (EATV):

The East African Tourist Visa was recently introduced, and it has access to three of East African countries and these are Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and it costs $100. The EATV allows tourists to have multiple entries into the three countries and it is valid for 90 days. For tourists who need to visit Tanzania, you need to have another visa that can easily be obtained at the border. The application for the East African Tourist Visa can be made online through any of the participating countries, and the country that issues the permit is the first one you are supposed to visit. The introduction of this visa has made it easy for tourists to visit each other and participate in the different tourist activities offered in the different countries.

It is safe and easy to get around

East Africa is a sizeable region with up to 7 nations and even though it is a large region, it is easy to get around either by car or flying from one country to the next. Traveling between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya has been easier, and you can just use a bus or a safari vehicle to get to your destination. For as long as you have purchased the EATV visa, it is much easier to combine a safari between the three countries. Furthermore, irrelevant of where you are coming from, there are international flights that can bring you to East Africa for your safari note that while the safari is being booked, the tour operators do not cover the air ticket fees and these should be booked by you in advance to make sure that you do not miss out on your safari.

Tracking chimpanzees:

East Africa is one of the best safari destinations where tourists can go and enjoy tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Chimpanzees in East Africa can be trekked in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda with Uganda offering the best chimpanzee experience in the world. Chimpanzee trekking is best carried out in Kibale National Park in Uganda which is sometimes referred to as the Primate Capital with over 13 different primate species. Other locations where you can trek chimpanzees in Uganda include Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi forest in Murchison Falls National Park and Kalinzu forest. Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is carried out in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe streams in Tanzania.

Trekking Mountain gorillas in East Africa are required to first purchase a chimpanzee trekking permit as this limits the number of people that have access to the primates and, in turn, protects chimpanzees and their habitat. The best to go for chimpanzee trekking in East Africa is from June to September, the dry months.

The Big Five:

The Big Five is a tourist attraction in East Africa found in the different national parks across East Africa. Even though some parks don’t have all the big five, you will still be able to spot the different animal species in the parks. Some of the national parks to visit in East Africa include Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Lake Bunyonyi National Park in Uganda, Akagera National Park in Rwanda, Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Samburu National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo East and West National Park and Nairobi National Park in Kenya and Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park among others.

The big five include Rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants and buffaloes. Other wildlife species you should expect to see while on a game drive in any of the national parks in East Africa include hyenas, wild dogs, antelopes, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, crocodiles, cheetahs, waterbucks and several bird species among others.

The unique cultures:

Uganda is home to more than 56 tribes, Tanzania has more than 120 tribes, Kenya has more than 70 tribes, DRC has more than 200 tribes, and Rwanda has three tribes, and all these make the cultural safaris in East Africa the best to explore. There is a wide range of variety in culture in the different East African countries, and this makes the cultural trips even more interesting. The most interesting cultures that all tourists need to look out for include the Masai in Kenya and Tanzania, the Batwa in Uganda and Rwanda, the Bagisu and Karamojong in Uganda and many more others.

Culture also involves the different local foods that are prepared in different countries. When you walk through the restaurants and streets in the different East African countries, you will notice that the food prepared has a touch of European, Arabic and African touch. Try tasting the different street foods and cuisines prepared in the restaurants to enjoy some of the best foods on earth.

Do not forget the songs and traditional dances that are the highlight of the cultural trips. When you visit the local communities, you will be welcomed by traditional songs and dance, and during these visits, you also get to learn more about the cultures of the locals, their staple foods, language and how they go about their day-to-day lives.

Top birding destination:

East Africa is a top birding safari destination on the African continent, with Uganda having over 1060 birding species, which is almost 10% of the world’s population. Several bird species can be spotted across East Africa some of which are endemic to the East African region. If you are a passionate birder, East Africa is the best place to be, so don’t forget your binoculars and plan your safari to East Africa as soon as possible. Some of the bird species that are found in East Africa include the common ostrich, Greater white-fronted Goose, Blue-winged goose, the African shoebill, African fish skimmer, African fish Eagle, egrets, Eurasian Wigeon, yellow-billed duck, Southern crested Guinea Fowl, vultures and Eagles among others.

The pristine beaches and Island escapades:

East Africa has some of the best beaches and islands in the world attracting thousands of tourists per year. Unwind along the beaches of Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya as you enjoy the pristine white sand, crystal clear waters and other activities, which include snorkeling, diving, sailing and sunbathing, among others. The Islands, especially the Kalangala Islands in Uganda, are worth visiting, and you will be able to enjoy numerous activities, including boat rides, guided nature walks, fishing and bird watching, among others.

When you visit Zanzibar, you will be able to experience the rich history of the Island with their history dating back to the Arab era. It is also home to Stone Town which is a UNESCO Heritage site and offers some of the amazing narrow streets, markets and historical architecture.

East Africa offers some of the most amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities tourists shouldn’t miss out on when planning a safari. When on a safari to East Africa, you will be able to enjoy the wildlife, pristine landscapes, culture and many more as you have never seen them before. The locals in East Africa are friendly and welcoming and you will enjoy every bit of your safari to East Africa.

Get in touch with Encounter Africa Safaris and a tour consultant will be ready to help you plan your safari