Experience the best of East Africa: Safari destinations worth the journey
There’s a reason East Africa is the world’s most iconic safari destination, and it’s all to do with the depth of the visitor experience. Here, you don’t just go on a game drive, you feel part of the story. East Africa is where safari began, and where it still reigns supreme.
The beauty of this region is its diverse landscapes and cultures, ensuring every journey is different. From vast savannahs and montane forests to volcanic craters and soda lakes, this is a land that knows how to impress.
Below, we’ve shared some of our favourite safari locations in East Africa. Whether you’re after big cat action or behind-the-scenes conservation, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Best for: The Great Migration, Big Cats, Classic Safari Scenery
If it’s your first time on safari, the Masai Mara is a great place to start. It’s a land where lions prowl and warriors roam, with unrivalled opportunities for animal viewing and cultural interactions. The Masai Mara is classic game drive territory, where grassland plains and rocky kopjes provide habitats for a wealth of wildlife. The Big Five are all here, and the predator density takes some beating. Between July and October, the savannahs are carpeted with millions of wildebeest as the Great Migration trundles over the border from the Serengeti. The river crossings are legendary, when the ungulates run the gauntlet of snapping crocodile jaws.
To make your safari even more special, we focus on the private conservancies around the national reserve, which offer a more exclusive and conservation-focused experience. In conservancies like Naboisho, Mara North, Pardamat, and Lemek, you won’t be battling the crowds at every sighting. Even better, you can enjoy night game drives (which you can’t do in the reserve) where nocturnal creatures like aardvarks, genets, and porcupines sometimes scuttle across your path.
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Best for: Rare Species, Semi-Arid Landscapes, Tribal Culture
With its semi-arid wilderness and unusual wildlife, Samburu is a world away from the classic savannah landscapes. This area experiences frequent droughts, so the animals have adapted to survive the harsh conditions. Elephants dig for water in the dry riverbed, predators lurk around dwindling waterholes, and giraffes rely on leaves for moisture. The lack of rainfall and sparse vegetation make wildlife spotting easy, so game drives are always rewarding.
This lesser-visited reserve in northern Kenya is great for travellers on their second safari, or those looking for something a bit different. As well as game drives, in Samburu you’ll discover ancient rock art in mountain caves and go black rhino tracking in the Sera Conservancy. Meanwhile, cultural community visits in the Kalama Conservancy are some of the most genuine you’ll find in East Africa. You’ll also have the chance to spot the Samburu Special Five, a quirky collection of animals unique to this region. It includes antelopes that stand on their hind legs, ostriches with blue necks, and antisocial zebras.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia County, Kenya
Best for: Rhinos, Unusual Safari Experiences, Conservation Projects
Ol Pejeta isn’t as iconic as these other destinations, but we love it and think you will too. This former cattle ranch is now one of Kenya’s most inspirational conservation initiatives, and the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. Experiences in Ol Pejeta are diverse and immersive, making this region appealing to visitors looking to explore a little deeper. Yes, the Big Five are here, but so are the last two remaining northern white rhinos, who you can meet during your stay.
Guided bush walks are a thrilling way to get up close with nature, while night game drives reveal little-seen nocturnal creatures like mongooses and zorillas. To get the heart pumping, you can help gather research data on a lion tracking mission, or try to outwit the four-legged stars of the anti-poaching dog unit while helping with their scent training. Spoiler alert: they always win! If you want a safari with a difference, Ol Pejeta is the place to come.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Best for: The Great Migration, Predator Action, Vast Wilderness
If you’ve only heard of one safari destination in East Africa, it’s probably the Serengeti. This famous national park has earned its place in the hearts and minds of travellers thanks to its prominence on the big screen. Countless wildlife filmmakers have brought the Serengeti to life, revealing the secrets of its inhabitants to people all around the world. It’s the perfect location for your first safari, with classic landscapes and abundant animals.
The endless grassland plains set the scene for the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest take centre stage. Throughout the year, they circle around the park following the rains, because the grass is always greener! This attracts huge predator numbers, with lions, leopards, and hyenas all after an easy meal. Wildlife viewing here is exceptional at any time of year, although it can feel busy in peak season. You can escape the crowds with a mobile camping safari or hot air balloon ride for a more exclusive experience.
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Best for: Dramatic Landscapes, Dense Wildlife, Black Rhinos
The Ngorongoro Crater is a lost world, teeming with wildlife and drama. Formed millions of years ago after a massive volcanic eruption, this ancient caldera is one of the best places in East Africa for game drives thanks to its concentrated wildlife. The vertical crater walls create a natural barrier, so the animals tend to stay put year-round.
This is also one of the top locations in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino. To increase your chances of a sighting, we suggest heading straight towards the Lerai Forest on an early game drive, as this is where the rhinos emerge each morning before dispersing across the plains. We also recommend taking a guided hike along the crater rim for a different perspective of the Ngorongoro Highlands. This is a great place to spot montane forest birds, and maybe the odd intrepid elephant grazing on the upper slopes.
Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Best for: Flamingos, Tree-Climbing Lions, Treetop Walkway
Did you know that lions can climb trees? Most don’t bother, but the prides in Lake Manyara National Park have adapted their behaviour and like nothing better than hanging out in the high branches, waiting for their next meal to come wandering past. Meanwhile, down at the soda lake, it’s the swathes of pink flamingos and birds like pelicans and spoonbills that are the park’s main draw. Don’t miss the hippo pool on the northern lake shore — it’s home to one of the highest hippo concentrations in Tanzania.
The ecosystems in Lake Manyara National Park are diverse, and so is the wildlife. Back on dry land, elephants hide out in the evergreen forests, and troops of cheeky baboons eye up your lunch from the sidelines. It’s the perfect place for a game drive and is often quieter than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro. To round off your visit, you can tour banana plantations (try the banana beer!) and take to the forest canopy on the Manyara Treetop Walkway.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda
Best for: Mountain Gorillas, Primates, Trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lives up to its name, with dense rainforest carpeting the mountain slopes, inviting intrepid explorers to delve deep into its interior. The forests here are ancient, having survived the last Ice Age, something you can sense as you brush past giant ferns and sink into soft patches of dark moss. However, the main reason to take on this impenetrable forest in southwest Uganda is to see mountain gorillas. This is one of the best places in the world to see these endangered primates, with around 460 individuals living in the park.
There are 12 habituated families dotted about the forest, so to see them, you’ll have to trek. Navigating the hidden trails with your guide and seeing the lingering mists penetrate the canopy is all part of the adventure. Daily trekking permits are limited, keeping the experience safe for the gorillas, and intimate for the visitors. Yet it’s not all about the gorillas. This montane forest is home to other primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, and vervet monkeys, as well as a dazzling array of birds.
Where should you go on safari in East Africa?
First-timers will love icons like the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Ngorongoro while travellers after something different should head to Samburu or Lake Manyara. If you want full immersion, then Bwindi and Ol Pejeta tick that box, and more besides.
Wherever you end up, you’ll be captivated from the moment you set foot on the ground. After all, this is East Africa.