East Africa safari destinations give you more variety than almost anywhere else on earth. In one trip, you can track mountain gorillas in misty rainforest, watch the Great Migration on open plains and then relax on a white-sand beach. Roots Tours & Travel plans tailor-made safaris in six countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo and Zanzibar. So, pick a country below to explore its parks, or read on to compare them side by side.
Zanzibar holidays: beaches, culture and the Spice Island Zanzibar holidays bring together white sand beaches, warm turquoise water and a rich blend of African, Arabic and Indian cultures. Just say the name, and exotic images come to mind. You picture palm trees, carved wooden doors and busy markets. You also
Discover Congo national parks: gorillas and volcanoes Congo national parks offer some of the wildest and most memorable adventures in Africa. In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, you can track mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Then, you can climb an active volcano and
Discover Tanzania national parks and the northern circuit Tanzania national parks protect some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Here, you can watch huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move across the endless Serengeti plains. You can also see elephants gather under ancient baobab trees in Tarangire. Above it
Discover Kenya national parks and reserves Kenya national parks offer some of the most rewarding wildlife viewing in Africa. In fact, Kenya gave the world the word “safari”, which simply means “journey” in Swahili. On a single trip, you can watch lions on the open plains of the Maasai Mara,
Discover Rwanda national parks: gorillas, chimps and savannah Rwanda national parks offer an amazing variety of experiences in a small, easy-to-travel country. Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, and the name fits perfectly. In just a few days, you can track mountain gorillas on the slopes
Discover Uganda national parks with local experts Uganda national parks pack an amazing amount of Africa into one small country. Winston Churchill called Uganda the “Pearl of Africa”, and you will soon see why. In just a few days, you can track mountain gorillas in misty rainforest, follow chimpanzees through
Of course, each country has its own highlights. Therefore, the right choice depends on what you most want to see, how much time you have and when you can travel. Here is a quick guide to every destination we cover.
Uganda is the most varied country in the region. For example, you can trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga, then track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, home to 13 primate species. After that, you can watch tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and see the Nile burst through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls. In addition, more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded here. Explore the national parks of Uganda to start planning.
Rwanda, on the other hand, is small, green and easy to travel around. From Kigali, you can reach Volcanoes National Park in a few hours. There, you trek mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Meanwhile, Nyungwe Forest offers chimpanzees and many other primates, and Akagera in the east is a savannah park for classic game drives. As a result, Rwanda suits short trips and easy combinations with Uganda. See our guide to Rwanda’s parks and gorilla treks.
Kenya is East Africa’s classic safari country. The Maasai Mara is famous for big cats and for the Great Migration, which usually arrives from about July to October. Beyond the Mara, Amboseli is known for elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Tsavo add even more variety. Read more about safaris across Kenya.
Next door, Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s best-known wildlife areas. The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration for much of the year. Close by, the Ngorongoro Crater holds a remarkable density of wildlife inside an ancient volcanic caldera. Tarangire is great for elephants, while Arusha National Park makes a gentle start to a trip. For climbers, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak. Find out more on our Tanzania safari page.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is wild and less visited. In Virunga National Park, you can trek mountain gorillas and climb Mount Nyiragongo to see its lava lake. Further south, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the few places to see eastern lowland gorillas. Because conditions can change, we check the latest travel advice before every trip. Discover more about gorilla trips in DR Congo.
Finally, Zanzibar is the perfect way to end a safari. This island off the coast of Tanzania offers white beaches, warm Indian Ocean water and historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also join a spice tour, take a dhow cruise or simply relax by the sea. Take a look at our Zanzibar beach holidays.
Many of our guests visit two or three countries on one trip. For instance, Uganda and Rwanda share the Virunga volcanoes, so a gorilla trek in one is easy to pair with wildlife or culture in the other. Similarly, Kenya and Tanzania share the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, and both connect easily to Zanzibar for a beach finish. A popular route is gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, then big game in Kenya or Tanzania, then a few days on Zanzibar. Browse our safari packages across East Africa for ready-made ideas.
You can travel to East Africa all year. However, the main dry seasons, from about June to early October and from mid-December to late February, are the most popular. Trails are firmer and wildlife is easier to see. In contrast, the long rains from March to May and the short rains around November bring greener scenery and fewer visitors. Each country follows its own pattern, so we will help you match your dates to the right place.
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based operator and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We know these East Africa safari destinations well, and we design every trip around you. For official park information, you can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage list, which includes Bwindi, the Serengeti and Stone Town. When you are ready, tell us your dates and interests, and we will send you a free, tailor-made itinerary.
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