10 Best Travel Destinations in East Africa

The 10 Best Travel Destinations in East Africa cover an incredible array of different countries, landscapes, cultures, and ecosystems. There is something for tourists: from walking safaris to tracking endangered mountain Gorillas.

#1. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

Wildlife sightings remain plentiful and diverse year-round. For example, visitors can often spot the Big Five in a single day. Furthermore, during the July-November dry season, vast herds from the annual wildebeest migration fill the plains.

In particular, watching the herds crossing the Mara River in their thousands is a spectacle few will ever forget. 10 Best Travel Destinations in East Africa. Cultural visits to traditional Maasai villages are another highlight of this spectacular East African reserve.

#2. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda.

On the hills lies one of the continent’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests. Dating back 250,000 years and home to over 400 endangered mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an unforgettable destination that drew over 40,000 trekkers last year alone.

The national Park is home to 120 mammals, including baboons, chimpanzees, and elephants, and 350 #forest bird species. Named one of the Best Parks in Africa by CNN (2018), it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular honeymoon destination.

Already one of East Africa’s most favoured attractions, Bwindi Forest looks set to become even more popular after its appearance in the Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther”.

#3. Zanzibar Island, Tanzania.

Zanzibar boasts a renowned history and incredible beaches. Because it sits off the coast of Tanzania in the azure Indian Ocean, the island once served as a key stop on the spice route.

Ancient Arab rulers once traded enslaved people for spices on the island; as a result, Zanzibar’s elaborate architecture still reflects this fascinating past. For instance, Stone Town draws huge crowds by boasting ornate houses, narrow alleyways, a Sultan’s palace, and numerous mosques. Additionally, postcard-perfect white-sand beaches and ideal reefs offer travellers incredible opportunities for snorkelling and scuba diving.

#4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Those seeking the ultimate safari experience should consider combining a trip to the Maasai Mara with a visit to Serengeti National Park in neighbouring Tanzania. Breathtaking open plains stretch across the landscape, while acacia trees and grazing game dot the horizon.

It’s a great place to spot predators like lions and cheetahs in action, especially during the January-March rainy season. At this time, wildebeest descend on the southern Serengeti to give birth, and hungry cats make newborn calves easy prey. In April, the herds begin their migration to the Maasai Mara, but game-viewing remains exceptional year-round.

#5. Watamu village, Kenya.

Unlike many other Kenyan beach towns, Watamu still maintains its reputation as a peaceful enclave. Set right on Kenya’s exquisite coastline, this small, relaxed town offers a rich sense of history. It also draws visitors for its stunning bays, palm-fringed beaches, and prolific coral reefs.

Deep-sea fishing is a favourite pastime here, and several dive schools offer the chance to take up scuba diving. On land, beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood, Mida Creek boasts stunning birdlife, and Gedi Ruins offer an insight into the life of the 13th-century Swahili people.

#6. Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania.

The ancient Ngorongoro Crater dominates Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Approximately 1,970 feet (600 meters) deep, the crater is the world’s largest intact caldera and one of East Africa’s most incredible natural spectacles.

Within its rim, countless animals roam the grassy plains of the crater floor, including a significant population of critically endangered black rhinos and some of the largest remaining tusker elephants. Black-maned lions are another impressive sight, as are the flocks of flamingos that appear on the crater’s soda lake during the breeding season.

#7. Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya.

The highlight of this Rift Valley Park is the eponymous Lake Nakuru, a soda lake famous for its incredible flamingo population. Flamingo density varies by season.

During the dry season, water levels fall, and the lake becomes more alkaline, producing more algae for the birds to feed on. At this time, numbers of lesser and greater flamingos can swell to as many as two million birds, creating a rose-hued haze across the lake’s surface. The Park is home to a host of other animals, including lions, rhinos, and approximately 450 species of birds.

#8. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth NP is undoubtedly the most visited / popular national Park in Uganda. Observers nicknamed the Park ‘A Medley of Wonders’ because its exceptional scenery creates panoramic views of the wilderness.

This Park hosts a diverse array of wildlife; however, its famous tree-climbing lions remain the primary attraction. Specifically, these unique predators inhabit the savanna plains of the Ishasha sector.

Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include Game Viewing in Ishasha and Kasenyi Trails, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge, Birding, and launch trips on the Kazinga Channel, but over 95% of safaris are wildlife safaris. We highly recommend Queen Elizabeth National Park as the best place for wildlife safaris in Uganda.

#9. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Draped in mist and full of lush vegetation, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park nestles deep within the Virunga Mountains. As Africa’s oldest national Park, it is one of the best places in the world to encounter the critically endangered mountain gorilla.

A subspecies of the wider-ranging eastern gorilla, only around 800 of these amazing animals remain. Sharing a moment with them in their natural environment is an intensely moving experience and should top any wildlife lover’s bucket list. The Park is home to several other rare species, including 29 endemic bird species.

#10. Omo National Park, Ethiopia.

Part of Africa’s incredible Great Rift Valley, the Omo River Region is perhaps one of the most remote destinations in East Africa. Travellers who make the long and difficult trip will enjoy incredible scenery. They also get a rare chance to visit villages that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

This part of Ethiopia has many different cultures, and each has its own traditional dress, culture, and ceremonies. To get the most out of your Omo River experience, consider joining a tour, some of which combine cultural visits with white-water rafting on the region’s famous rapids.