East Africa Safaris & Tours in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda

East Africa Safaris Tours

East Africa safaris tours are designed to take tourists on a safari to at least two or more East African countries in just one safari. Amongst the countries to explore while on East Africa safaris tours include Uganda the pearl of Africa, Rwanda the land of a thousand hills, Tanzania, Kenya and Congo. Each of these countries in East Africa has its own unique and fascinating tourist attractions ranging from primate species such as Gorillas, chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, baboons, monkeys, mammals such as  Big 5 game, bird species, reptiles, flora species, and the local community members. Several travelers on an East African safari tour usually choose to use an East African tourist visa, though it includes only 3 destinations, which include Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda. This implies that to enter Tanzania and Congo, travelers must obtain Tanzania and Congo tourist visas respectively.

Let’s have a look at the best East Africa safaris tours destinations

As mentioned above, a safari is valid to be called an East Africa safari only if it covers at least 2 destinations in East Africa.

Tanzania safaris tours: Tanzania is one of the best destinations to visit while on East Africa safari tour due to existence of several tourist attractions which include several national parks such as Serengeti national park that is the most visited national park that harbors the Wildebeests. Several travelers on an East Africa safari tour visit Serengeti National Park to witness the migration of the wildebeests, which seasonally migrate between two national parks of Serengeti national park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Apart from Serengeti National Park, Tanzania has several other national parks that are best destinations for wildlife viewing safaris, and these include Lake Manyara National Park, which is also frequently visited by tourists to have a glance at the tree-climbing lions. This can be joined with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda to view more tree-climbing lions since these unique species are only found in two beautiful countries in East Africa, and that is Tanzania and Uganda.

There is also a famous park known as Tarangire National Park for wildlife viewing safaris in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Natron, and many more national game reserves, which include Selous Game Reserve, Uwanda Game Reserve, among others. A safari to Tanzania opens the door to game drive/ wildlife viewing safaris, birding safaris, boat cruise safaris, nature walks, cultural safaris, hot air balloon safaris, beach safaris, etc.

Kenya safaris tours: Like Serengeti national park in Tanzania, Kenya also got the magical Masai Mara national reserve best known for harboring the largest population of wildlife species including the wildebeest that are seen on a migration via the, Mara River to and from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

This implies that an East Africa safari tour to Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of the best East Africa safaris that enables tourists to watch the wildebeest on a migration in the two countries.

Other than Masai Mara, Kenya has plenty of other tourist destinations, which include Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for harboring flamingos and other beautiful water birds. A Kenya safari also takes travelers to Tsavo National Park both Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, Hell’s Gate National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Samburu National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park and many more, all with unique attractions of fauna and flora. Kenya is also a great destination for wildlife viewing safaris, birding adventures, Mountain hiking safaris, nature walks, cultural tours, swimming, and boat cruise safaris, among others.

A combined East African safari to Kenya and Tanzania can easily be tailored since the two countries are close to one another, with close national parks such as Masai Mara and the Serengeti that are separated by the Mara River. Grab your East Africa wildlife safari to Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park to enjoy an unbeatable expedition in East Africa.

Uganda safari tours:An East Africa safari without Uganda is incomplete because there are a lot of things to see within this landlocked country known as Uganda, the pearl of Africa. This implies that Uganda is the most beautiful destination that should never be left out while on a tour to East Africa. A safari to Uganda enables tourists to visit the most powerful waterfall known as Murchison Falls (the Devil’s Cauldron), which is situated in the oldest and largest national park in Uganda that also harbors the big 5 games, as long as tourists visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary along the way to or from Murchison Falls National Park.

There is also an encounter with the rare and endangered primate species, which is none other than Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is a record that Uganda harbors the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas, with more than half of the remaining gorillas surviving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There is also one gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. The one and only Nyakagezi gorilla family. Trekking with mountain gorillas has always been the most fascinating and adventurous experience in the Pearl of Africa.

The remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas is found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and in Virunga National Park within Congo, so one is in a position to enjoy a gorilla trekking safari in East Africa within 3 destinations, including Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. There is yet another adventurous activity of chimpanzee trekking, which is carried out in Kibale Forest National Park, one of the best primate destinations in Uganda, with 13 primate species.

Other chimpanzees in Uganda are trekked in Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kyambura gorge & Kalinzu Forest of Queen Elizabeth National Park,  and Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The savanna national parks of Uganda are also the best destinations for wildlife viewing safari and these include the most beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is home to the tree-climbing lions and the stunning Kazinga Channel that harbors a huge population of Hippos.

Lake Mburo National Park, the best destination for walking safaris in Uganda, and Semliki National Reserve, the best destination for nature walks to visit the Sempaya hot springs and cruise along Lake Albert. Hike some of the beautiful mountains, including the Rwenzori Mountains, Mt. Elgon, and many more. There are many other tourist attractions in Uganda, including cultural centers such as Bigo bya Mugyenyi, Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, Nakayima Tree, Nyero Rock Paintings, and many more.

Uganda is also the best destination for religious tours where tourists are in a position to explore Gadhafi mosque, Lubaga Cathedral, Namirembe church, Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine, and many more. In general, Uganda offers travelers primate viewing safaris (Gorilla trekking safaris, gorilla habituation experience, chimpanzee trekking safaris, and Golden monkey tracking safaris), birding safaris, cultural tours, wildlife viewing safaris, mountaineering safaris, walking safaris, and many more.

Rwanda safari, tours: Rwanda is also a beautiful country to explore while on an East Africa safari. Rwanda is termed a land of a thousand hills due to plenty of thrilling hills with beautiful terraces. Rwanda is also among the destinations visited by travelers on a safari to East Africa due to its beautiful attractions, which include national parks like Volcanoes National Park, which is situated within the Virunga Massif and is well known for harboring the endangered mountain gorillas and the volcanic mountains.

In Rwanda, it’s only in Volcanoes National Park where tourists trek the endangered mountain gorillas with other mountain gorillas found in Congo and Uganda. Another beautiful national park to visit in Rwanda is Nyungwe Forest National Park, which harbors 13 species of primates, including Chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons, and many other primates. A fascinating canopy walk is another golden opportunity never to miss while on an East Africa safari, and it’s only available in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda.

For thrilling game drive adventures in Rwanda, visit Akagera National Park for game drive safaris in the savanna vegetation cover and boat cruise along Lake Ihema. Apart from national parks, Rwanda is also frequently visited by travelers who wish to know the history of Rwanda and visit the genocide memorial sites where thousands of Rwandans were murdered in cold blood.

Lake Kivu is also a beautiful lake to visit while on a Rwanda safari due to its stunning views of the surrounding area, including the view of Mount Nyiragongo, which is situated in Congo within the Virunga Massif, and many more. In general, there are several safaris in Rwanda, such as Gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, Golden monkey tracking safaris, canopy walk, exploration of Lake Kivu, volcano hiking safaris, Dian Fossey hiking safari, nature walking safaris, birding safaris, cultural tours to Ibyiwacu cultural village, etc.

Congo safaris tours: Like any other country in East Africa, Congo is also a best destination to visit while on East Africa safari tour to explore its beautiful attractions such as Virunga national park that harbors endangered mountain gorillas and Volcano Mountains. Another park to visit in Congo is Kahuzi-Biega National Park, which harbors Eastern lowland gorillas. The most enjoyable safaris in Congo include Nyiragongo hiking safaris in Virunga National Park, Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, and Eastern lowland gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, among others. Any of these safaris can be combined with other safaris from any other country within the East African region to enjoy a full East Africa adventure.

The best time for East Africa safari tour

The best time to have an East African safari depends on the activities one intends to do; otherwise, a safari to East Africa can be done at any given time all year round, but the best months to visit the parks in East Africa are during the dry months when the parks are dry, accommodations are dry, and the sighting of the wildlife is easy. 

For instance, the dry months are the best seasons for primate viewing safaris, game viewing safaris, walking safaris, hiking safaris, and visiting the beaches in East Africa. In these months, the vegetation cover is minimal for easy sighting of the wildlife and easy trailing through during the hiking and trekking safaris, while the rainy months are the best months for birders to visit East Africa since most of the bird species reproduce in rainy months and also visit the forest due to the existence of plenty of food to eat.

On the other hand, travelers who wish to watch the wildebeest migration, I recommend visiting East Africa during July, August, September, October, and November, which is the season for the wildebeest to migrate through the Mara River. 

Conclusion: Book your East Africa safari tour to either two countries within a East African region, or you may even book a safari that covers all the 5 countries, which include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Congo. Focus East Africa Tours is always ready to tailor a desirable itinerary for you that suits the destinations you intend to visit.