One of the biggest draws of the African continent is the incredible wildlife adventures that await the intrepid traveler. Safaris are unforgettable experiences no matter where or when you go. But there are so many different styles of trip, and such a huge variety of national parks and private reserves in each country, that it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start! East Africa is the perfect destination for first timers, and offers such a wealth of amazing safari opportunities that you’ll want to keep going back. This guide will help you figure out the top destinations and plan an epic first (or second, or even third!) trip to this incredible region.
Nairobi National Park
The gateway to East Africa is Nairobi, Kenya, with the largest airport in the region, connecting directly with many cities in Europe. If you have the time, it’s well worth checking out the city, but did you know they have a whole safari reserve inside the city limits? Nairobi National Park was Kenya’s first game reserve, and today you have the opportunity to see lions, rhino, zebras, giraffes and much more on a full or even half-day tour. If you’re short on time or money, this is a great option for a real safari experience without having to commit to a bigger 3 or 4 day tour.
Maasai Mara
The Masai Mara is Kenya’s most famous national park, around * hours from Nairobi. Here you have an incredible opportunity to spot the big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. These are not the biggest 5 animals by height, or weight, but were in fact named for being the 5 most dangerous animals to humans. While leopards are famously elusive, your guides in the Maasai Mara will know exactly where to go to almost guarantee sightings of the other four.
The park is actually the same piece of land as the Serengeti, but the part that lies within Kenya’s borders is called the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The two countries are separated by the Mara River, which is full of hippos and crocodiles. The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras that occurs every year is best seen in the Maasai Mara in late July and August, when vast herds cross the river in their thousands and enter the reserve. They cross again on their way back south around October time, so the best time to visit the Maasai Mara is between August and September for the largest quantities of wildlife.
Lake Nukuru
Land safaris are the most common type of trip, especially for first time visitors to this region, but water based safaris can be a thrilling change of pace. Lake Nakuru lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by lush grassland and picturesque ridges. You’ll see tons of birdlife at Lake Nukuru, from pelicans to starlings to eagles to woodpeckers, but the most famous here is the flamingo. The lake is home to around 1.5 million flamingos during the peak seasons (July-September and December-February), turning the lake into a sea of pink. It’s quite a spectacle to behold, and a great addition to a Kenya itinerary – particularly if heading onwards to Uganda, as this National Park is in exactly the right direction.
Tsavo NP
Another famous Kenyan National Park is Tsavo National Park, which is split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The twin parks are less visited and the accommodations here are generally more upmarket and on the higher end of the budget. If you’re looking for luxury, this is a great option.
The park lies halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, making it an excellent safari break between touring the two cities. The trainline running between the capital and the coast stops directly at Tsavo West, making it easily and cheaply accessible.
Amboseli
Amboseli National Park is a small one, and you won’t see anything here that you don’t also see at the bigger, more popular parks. The reason it makes this list, is its scenery. Amboseli is located close to the Tanzanian border, where the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, is situated. The mountain towers over Amboseli National Park, meaning all your photos of wildlife will have the most impressive backdrop you could ever wish for. If photography is your passion, this is not one to skip.
Arusha
Arusha is the hub of safari activity in Tanzania. This will most likely be the start and end point of your safari touring within the country. If you look like a tourist, you’ll be approached constantly on the street by companies offering safaris and other tours, so if you’re backpacking and arriving without anything pre-booked, you’ll easily be able to book something last minute. You’ll also be able to haggle a last minute rate, so if you’re comfortable not having things planned in advance, this is the cheapest place to book your African safari experience.
Like Nairobi, Arusha has its own National Park very close to the city, but honestly, I would skip this in favour of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other parks just a little further into the wilderness.
Serengeti
In my opinion the Serengeti is the ultimate safari destination and my favourite park in this whole region. It’s exactly what your brain conjures up when imagining the African Savannah: vast plains as far as the eye can see, every single animal you could ever wish to see on safari, a prime example of wild, untamed nature.
I’ll be honest: this park is busy, especially the parts closest to Arusha and most accessible by land. But there are rules in place to minimise the number of jeeps surrounding the animals, and honestly you get so caught up in what you’re seeing that you barely notice the other tourists around you. If you want something less busy, there are areas that you can take a small plane to, for a more private experience.
If you’re feeling bougie, a sunrise hot air balloon ride here is one of the greatest experiences you’ll ever had, and provides a unique view over the wildlife below.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater was formed around 2.5 million years ago when an active volcano collapsed inwards after a massive explosion. This means that Ngorongoro is actually not a crater at all, but a caldera, and is the largest intact caldera in the world. The 100 square miles are now covered in grasslands, wetlands and forests, a surprisingly wide range of ecosystems for such a compact area. It is believed that once animals descended into the caldera they found themselves unable to get back out, and therefore multiplied and created one of the densest populations of large mammals in all of Africa. The only animal you won’t see here is giraffes, supposedly because the steep walls of the caldera are unmanageable for their spindly legs!
You have to drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation area to get to the Serengeti from Arusha, so all tours to one will include the other – which is perfect, because the Ngorongoro Crater is truly unmissable, and will no doubt be a highlight of your safari trip.
Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is another hotspot for flamingos, and also for tree-climbing lions. It is pretty rare for lions to climb trees, but this unique behaviour can be spotted most commonly at Lake Manyara in Tanzania or Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The lions are thought to climb in order to observe their prey, as well as to escape the heat and avoid insect bites. The cubs copy the older lions’ behaviour and the trait gets passed down.
Lake Manyara is one of the smallest national parks in the region, but incredibly scenic, and its location makes it an easy addition to a Serengeti trip, if you’re not safaried out yet!
Tarangire
Tarangire is Tanzania’s elephant capital, boasting large herds – up to 300 members in some cases – of Africa’s largest mammal. During the dry season of June to November the Tarangire River is the only source of water, so all species flock to it to drink and graze on the river banks. This is therefore the best time of year to spot the largest variety of life in this National Park. Here you can also find baobab trees, also known as the tree of life, most famously found in Madagascar.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular national park, particularly with bird lovers, as the park is home to the largest number of bird species in the whole of Africa. You can also spot the famous tree-climbing lions, but unfortunately you won’t find zebras, giraffes or rhinos in this park due to previously high levels of poaching. You will still find 4 of the big 5, and many more species besides. A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel is highly recommended to spot an enormous number of hippos, crocodiles, birds, and many mammals along the banks.
While most parks in Kenya and Tanzania now require licensed guides to enter, Uganda’s park still, for the moment, allow self-drive tours. This safari style requires a little more planning and confidence, but is a truly epic way to experience nature, with flexibility to stay as long as you want with the animals that interest you the most.
Murchison Falls
This National Park is named for the waterfall at its center, Murchison Falls, where the Nile River forces itself through a 7 meter wide gap in the rocks, creating a powerful cascade of white water. You can take a boat ride along the river to the base of the falls (or as close as the boats are able to get), with plentiful wildlife viewing along the way, or take a game drive in the surrounding park. Here you’ll find the giraffes that you missed in Queen Elizabeth National Park, although unfortunately still no zebras – you’ll have to visit Lake Mburo for that.
Akagera
Rwanda is a little more off the beaten track. It’s one of the only places in the world to see the endangered mountain gorilla in the wild, as well as chimpanzees, however it’s a more expensive place to do so than neighbouring Uganda. If you do make it to Rwanda and are looking for the best option for a classic safari, Akagera National Park is the place to be. It’s the only park in Rwanda where you can spot all of the big 5, and an abundance of other wildlife and birdlife to boot. While the park hugs Rwanda’s border with Tanzania, the journey from here to Arusha will still take you 2 full days overland, so I’d recommend flying!
“Epic Safari Hotspots: East Africa’s Best National Parks for Wildlife” was originally published on Wanderdash (follow me @rosroundtheworld)