East Africa Safaris
Famous for its seemingly endless open savanna, East Africa boasts unrivalled concentrations of game. This is Safari Africa at its most iconic – sprawling plains dotted with acacias and teeming with wildlife.
East Africa is home to renowned safari areas such as the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara – the famous Great Migration moves between these two national parks – as well as the game-rich floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Mount Kilimanjaro looms majestically on the horizon, while the presence of Earth’s last remaining populations of mountain gorilla in Rwanda and Uganda makes for exceptional gorilla treks as an option to include on a traditional Big Five safari.
East Africa’s prolific wildlife encounters combine brilliantly with exciting experiences that are unique to the region. Imagine ticking the Great Migration off your bucket list, before spending a blissful few days on Zanzibar’s idyllic beaches or the Kenyan coast. Perhaps hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, followed by a thrilling safari or trekking to see chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains is on your wish list? And how about delving into the daily lives of East Africa’s tribes on an authentic cultural safari? It’s easy to elevate your East Africa safari vacation with a selection of incredible add-on experiences!
Best Places in East Africa for a Wildlife Safari
Tanzania
Home to the likes of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania boasts several game-rich areas. Southern Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park offers a quieter safari experience, while Nyerere National Park is great for boating safaris. Western Tanzania’s Katavi is truly remote and difficult to access, but stacked with big game.
Kenya
Another famous Big Five East Africa safari destination, Kenya is the original birthplace of safari! Kenya’s safari destinations combine Big Five game viewing with top private reserves and riveting cultural experiences. The Maasai Mara is the country’s most famous national park, while the Amboseli, Laikipia, and Samburu regions offer phenomenal wildlife sightings.
Uganda and Rwanda
While Kenya and Tanzania are our traditional East African safari destinations, Uganda and Rwanda are our gateway to Central Africa and great apes experiences. Although Uganda and Rwanda are different from the likes of the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, these countries also offer classic safaris along with primate safaris. Yellow Zebra makes the choice of travel easier for travelers by identifying the safest and most accessible adventures of the region, so that you have fewer decisions to make, and can focus on the fun stuff!
Top Experiences
Beaches
East Africa is the continent’s best safari-and-beach destination, and standout beach destinations include Zanzibar and the Kenyan Coast. While Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago is the most popular option, both Tanzania and Kenya have breathtakingly beautiful coastlines with picture-perfect beaches and luxurious accommodation options.
Mountains and Volcanoes
Home to Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya as well as a number of lesser-known off-the-beaten-track peaks, East Africa is a dream destination for adventurers and hikers. This is a specialist experience, so it is not often included on East Africa safaris due to the time involved to climb. If you are interested, our safari specialists can connect you with the right experts for the best Kilimanjaro trekking experiences.
Gorillas and Chimps
Encountering great apes on foot in their natural habitat is one of the most exhilarating wildlife experiences on Earth. East Africa is home to the world’s last population of mountain gorillas, and gorilla treks take place in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Republic of the Congo (in the Congo, more rarely than in the other trekking destinations). The Mahale Mountains in Tanzania offer exceptional opportunities to trek to see wild chimpanzees.
Cultural Safaris
This type of safari is possible across Africa, as many amazing tribes live in the vast majority of countries in which we operate trips. East Africa, however, home to the Maasai, the Samburu, and the Hadzabe, deserves a special mention. Well-balanced, authentic cultural safaris can be a challenge to get right, but when they’re conducted sensitively, the chance to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions and culture can be an incredible addition to an East Africa safari.
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